Paula Sands & Me I've never cared about being the center of attention. The mere thought of public speaking makes my hands sweat and heart race. In fact, I’m perfectly content spending time alone with my thoughts in my nice, peaceful office.
There. I've said it. I enjoy my quiet, comfy life.
But sometimes God takes my comfortable life and stirs it up a bit. After all, He knows me so well. He knows if I didn't have a little push every now and then, I’d never leave my comfort zone. Well, last week, God gave me a push – and sent me straight into panic mode. I immediately called Curt at work.
“I just got an email from the producer at Paula Sands. They want to know if I’ll come on the show and talk about last week's blog.”
Curt burst out laughing.
“Thanks a lot,” I said, feeling a tad bit offended. “You don’t think I could do it?”
“Sorry,” he said, “I know you could do it.” He paused, trying to restrain his laughter. “It's just, there are people that would love to be in the spotlight like that. And of all people, they asked you!”
Yep, Curt knows me well, too.
I’m not too proud to admit I was completely flustered. Did I mention the name of the program? Paula Sands LIVE. Yes, the show broadcasts live.
Speaking on live TV just seems crazy. There’s no time to mull over my thoughts. No checking a thesaurus for the perfect word. No hitting the “delete” key.
I knew it was a great opportunity. I just didn't know if I could do it. Then I remembered the pact I made with God when I first started writing. It went something like this:
“Okay God, if you’re gracious enough to open doors of opportunity for me, I’ll do my best to walk through them.”
So there I stood, staring at an open door.
Amid all my hand-wringing, I called my mom. “It’s funny,” I said, “I tell my girls to ‘get out of your comfort zone and do it afraid,’ but when it’s about me, it’s not that easy!”
I hung up the phone with a groan. That’s the tough part about parenting. You have to practice what you preach. My mind drifted to each of my girls.
There. I've said it. I enjoy my quiet, comfy life.
But sometimes God takes my comfortable life and stirs it up a bit. After all, He knows me so well. He knows if I didn't have a little push every now and then, I’d never leave my comfort zone. Well, last week, God gave me a push – and sent me straight into panic mode. I immediately called Curt at work.
“I just got an email from the producer at Paula Sands. They want to know if I’ll come on the show and talk about last week's blog.”
Curt burst out laughing.
“Thanks a lot,” I said, feeling a tad bit offended. “You don’t think I could do it?”
“Sorry,” he said, “I know you could do it.” He paused, trying to restrain his laughter. “It's just, there are people that would love to be in the spotlight like that. And of all people, they asked you!”
Yep, Curt knows me well, too.
I’m not too proud to admit I was completely flustered. Did I mention the name of the program? Paula Sands LIVE. Yes, the show broadcasts live.
Speaking on live TV just seems crazy. There’s no time to mull over my thoughts. No checking a thesaurus for the perfect word. No hitting the “delete” key.
I knew it was a great opportunity. I just didn't know if I could do it. Then I remembered the pact I made with God when I first started writing. It went something like this:
“Okay God, if you’re gracious enough to open doors of opportunity for me, I’ll do my best to walk through them.”
So there I stood, staring at an open door.
Amid all my hand-wringing, I called my mom. “It’s funny,” I said, “I tell my girls to ‘get out of your comfort zone and do it afraid,’ but when it’s about me, it’s not that easy!”
I hung up the phone with a groan. That’s the tough part about parenting. You have to practice what you preach. My mind drifted to each of my girls.
Madison, Taylor & Emily (on top!)
If Madison can crawl onto a four-inch beam, leap through the air, spin around and do handstands while judges study her every move ... I can do this.
If Taylor can stand at the pitcher’s mound during the last inning of a play-off game and pitch three beautiful strikes right over home plate ... I can do this.
If Emily can walk into a school full of strangers, make new friends and try stuff she’s never done before like volleyball, worship arts and cheerleading ... I can do this.
So there it was. I wanted to inspire my girls, but they had already inspired me.
If Taylor can stand at the pitcher’s mound during the last inning of a play-off game and pitch three beautiful strikes right over home plate ... I can do this.
If Emily can walk into a school full of strangers, make new friends and try stuff she’s never done before like volleyball, worship arts and cheerleading ... I can do this.
So there it was. I wanted to inspire my girls, but they had already inspired me.
| I’ll conclude with this word of caution. If God asks you to do something, I highly recommend you do it. But be warned. You might be surprised at where He’ll take you. Speaking on live TV was one of the most exciting, (albeit terrifying) five minutes and seventeen seconds of my life. So far anyway. |  Curt snapped this picture during the show |
What do you think? Perhaps a career in meteorology?
“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”
- Mother Teresa
- Mother Teresa
