Hi, I’m Amy, and I am the new SERVE Editor. Yes, yes, it does seem like an amazing opportunity, but I have a problem. See, I know we just met, and I hate to be one of those people who dump problems on just anyone, but well, you look like a good listener, and therefore, my problem is as follows:
I would be an outstanding Shop at TJ Maxx and Find Killer Boots for a Cheap Price Editor.
I would also rock out as a Really Want to See the Pain in My Community, but Also Really Want to Cover My Eyes Editor.
I would probably win an award for Shouting About Reaching Out to Others When Really I Want to Hide from Them Editor.
Do you see where I am going? I don’t naturally fit with the word SERVE. It’s a stretch.
Thankfully, there’s a truth I’ve discovered. If something doesn’t come naturally, you can still do it with practice.
Do you remember your first bike ride? You wobbled back and forth, and you barely held the shaky handlebars. You wanted to put your feet down, and your stomach felt queasy thinking about the rocks you would no doubt be picking out of your bloody knee within seconds. You practiced and practiced, and eventually, you found yourself cruising around the neighborhood.
For the last two years, I’ve practiced being generous. In my practicing, I’ve hit the pavement and had to pick rocks out of my knees (like the time our family served lunch at an apartment building and a boy told my daughter he was going to punch her teeth out and make them into dentures, now that’s a story).
After two years of practice, I’m not cruising through the neighborhood of generous living yet, but do you know what?
Serving others is becoming easier, more natural, and something I’ve started to want, even more than those killer boots at TJ Maxx.
It’s nice meeting you. I can tell we are going to be fast friends. I’d love for you to come visit me on Thursdays. I’ll be right here talking about the insane blessings and the bloody knees which both come from making the needs of others a priority.
Oh boy, that sounds like quite the story about your daughter. Yes, serving often comes with considerable bumps and bruises along the way. But those bumps do grow us.
Eileen, It is quite a story, and if I told you that wasn’t even the kicker of the day you might be surprised, but yes, I grow and grow by all of these crazy bumps.
Welcome Amy! I’m excited to get to know you a little better!
Crystal Rowe! Excited to “meet” you, although I feel as if I know you a bit through your writing here. I’ve been reading up on some of your posts.
Yeah Amy! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Thursdays! Your desire to serve inspires us 🙂
Thanks for following me over, Lisa! I appreciate the words you share and the encouragement you give at your fab place too.
Why Amy Sullivan! You make an awesome Bible Dude. And I’m glad you put into words out here on the internets that serving remains hard for you. Cause I read your stuff and think, “Man! She’s a serving rock star.” Then I want to go to TJ Maxx and drown my disappointment in myself by buying a pair of killer boots.
So glad you’re sharing your stories here. You encourage me to limp along the path of service after you.
Nancy,
I’m totally not a serving rock star! So glad to see your smiling squre face here.
This is so exciting!! I, for one, cannot think of a better SERVE editor. You are going to rock this gig, even better than bargain shopping.
Jen,
I don’t know…I am a pretty, darn good bargin shopper.
Love that analogy to riding a bike. Definitely not what we do naturally but can come with practice.
Amy,
Agreed. Much practice. Much of Him.
You’ll be popping wheelies before you know it, Amy!!! Congrats and good luck!
I a LOVD. Ha! Love the wheelie reference!
You’re rocking this already! So excited that you’re here!
Sandra,
Thank you! So excited to get to know you better through Bibledude and your writing. You have a gift.
congrats on the gig! and the bloody knees. you are my hero.
Kendal,
Right back at you, babe.
This story means your real, like me. That’s why your perfect right here on Thursdays.
Thank you so much, Shelly!
You rock because you’re honest. You say what we’re all thinking. And serving? Well, it doesn’t come natural to anyone last time I checked, but I’m thankful you don’t let us off the hook that easy. Excited about this just as I’m excited about all you do. Go, Amy! And go, all things Bible Dude!
Lori, Hmmm…honest, yes! Maybe too much sometimes. Thank you so much for following me over. Your encouragement goes on and on and on and on…
love that you are honest and a Christian woman writer whose pores don’t automatically ooze with the desire to serve. just keepin’ it real 🙂 but all along the way, no matter your feelings, you practice obedience- and that i think is stronger than any “feeling” to serve. love you and so proud of you for your new writing gig!
Renee,
This girl’s pores don’t ooze, that’s for sure, but you know what inspires? Good friends cheering you on and demonstrating God’s love. Thanks for reading.
Pretty proud of you, Amy Sullivan. 🙂
Thank you much, FPF.
Whoohoo–so exciting, Amy. You are so powerful in the your wide-open sharing of your heart with the Father–how He tugs on you and you say ‘yes’ and encourage us to do it, too. So grateful for you!
Jennifer,
Thanks for being excited, lady. Hope to see you again next Thursday!
good job.
Sharon,
Thanks for reading.
Congrats Amy. I am sure you will do fine. Sometime stepping out of our comfort zone helps us rely more on the Comforter!
Jean,
You are correct, lady. Stepping out of our usual zone forces us to rely fully on God, a lesson I don’t love learning…again and again and again.
I love who you are, cool editor 🙂 And the way you make it feel possible for ALL OF US to live with passion and generosity. Hooray for this new GIG!
Alicia,
Ha! Not sure how cool, but thanks for thinking so and for the encouragement you always give.
You are a fabulous fit here! So excited to get to read more of you and in this space, which is new to me. BTW: “yella” is better than “yeller” where I’m from in NC! Loved your bio…..too funny!
Melody,
Great! Thrilled to introduce you to Bibledude.net. You are 100% correct. I will take “yella” over “yeller” any day. Although about a month ago I said (and I quote), “Will you close the wind-ER?” No joke. It still haunts me.
It’s always good to hear more inspiration on serving. I fall off that bike and skin my knees all the time, but I just get back up and try some more.
Ihamer,
I know all about falling off the good ‘ol bike, but you are right, it’s about getting back on and riding more. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Congrats on the new position, Amy! I’ve never visited this blog before so I bookmarked it. I’ll be back to have a look around. 🙂
Dionna,
Oh, good. Glad to have you here and thrilled you bookmarked! There are some really talented writers who pop from the pages.
You are a rock star — a super generous one!
Jamie,
Thanks for reading. I appreciate you!
Love it!!! And yes I think the word SERVE fit you perfectly.
Alene,
Now, Bibledude.net is a place I bet you would really like. So much of what is written here goes along with your philosophy on life.
So glad to follow you here!
Amy Y.,
Whew…flying all the way over from China for a visit? Thanks!
amy…you are fun to watch…watch as you follow where ever He leads…yes..maybe falling and getting up…but you get up…you keep going…and you will do great work…because He leads you~ blessings to you~
Ro,
I’m glad you think I’m fun to watch. I, personally, think I’m crazy to watch. Thank you for not seeming to notice or care when I fall down.
And to think that i lived next door to the serve editor for Bibledude.net for a year in the Willows. who KNEW?!?! How exciting. You know i love that you are real, but I will say it again. Just this week I had to make myself serve. still doesn’t come naturally. obedience is hard. Thankful for you and your heart.
On a totally shallow note- did you get me killer boots from TJMaxx for my birthday? I am still trying to figure out what it is…hope you mailed it!!
love you and proud of you!
Serving never comes naturally for me, but good job you for making yourself do it. Often it’s the showing up that’s hard, but once you are there, it’s all good, and birthday gift? Now, I’m afraid that I could have built it up too much.
However, a hint is in this post!