You never know how someone else might use you as an example.
I want to relate a quick story that I hope encourages you in your journey.
My daughter lives in another state, but she calls on a regular basis to visit. Earlier this year she called to tell me how she had shared my story with a man who wants to be an author. This man was struggling with believing his dream of published writer was possible. My daughter shared with him a few brief details of my journey.
- I was in my mid- to late-forties before I started pursuing my dream of being a writer
- I now have 4 published books
- I have written for numerous other books and magazines
Those few tiny facts encouraged this man—who was much younger than 45—and helped him grasp that it wasn’t too late for him to reach for his dream.
How many of us give conscious thought to how our lives encourage others? I know I don’t.
I wanted to be a writer since my teens, but other circumstances steered me in the direction of the military. I never gave up my dream and over the years attempted correspondence courses.
The real turning point came in 1998 when I had to opportunity to apply for a job at Focus on the Family (FOF). I wasn’t applying for a writer’s position, but I thought if any place afforded the opportunity of moving in that direction, FOF would.
To the world, my choice was foolish. I turned down a full-time, good-paying position for a lower-paying, temporary position, one that might last less than 6 weeks. I didn’t make the choice on a whim. I spent a lot of time in prayer and seeking God’s guidance.
I started at FOF as an admin assistant, then moved up to junior account executive in their in-house ad agency. In 2002, at the age of 46, FOF hired me as a junior copywriter. I did that for 2.5 years before I moved away.
The year after moving I launched out as a freelance writer and began work on my first book. My inability to find a full-time job pushed me into taking that step.
Now 12 years later, I’m still freelance writing, but also blogging, freelance editing, and designing books.
I certainly never imagined myself doing what I do today. I’ve prayed for God’s guidance along the way and love what He’s brought into my life.
Don’t discount how your life journey can encourage others. And remember…
It is never too late to reach for a dream.