By Genea Johnson DZ: What would you do if you were sure you could not fail? GJ: This is a tough question to answer. I have tried things that have failed. I have also done things that“ I” didn’ t deem successful. However, my measure of success varies greatly from God’ s. Not everything I have put my hands to do were necessarily things that God called me to do or were a part of His plan. When I was learning to hear His voice, I tried my hand at various things in different seasons because I assumed that was what He called me to do at that time. Maturing and knowing the distinction in His voice now, I don’ t believe there is anything I can’ t do. Especially if God has ordained it. The greater question is, will I be brave enough to do it, if it is beyond what my human mind can imagine.
DZ: What would you tell your 18 – 25-year-old self based on what you know now? GJ: God says you are more than enough. He will light the path. He knows the plans. Trust in Him and lean not in your own understanding. Be a good steward in every area of your life and God will bless you for it. Always examine your heart and make sure it lines up with the word of God. And STUDY the word of God. It holds every answer you need and is applicable to ALL situations.
DZ: How do define success? GJ: When I have done what God has asked, exactly how He asked, given Him the glory for the outcome of what He asked and get the benefit and privilege to enjoy and see the fruits of the obedience of what was asked.
DZ: What are daily / weekly self-care practices? GJ: Prayer, quiet time with God. Study of scriptures. Writing. Looking at and listening to nature( the sky, the birds, the sun, etc.) Fasting or removing myself from social media. Spending quality time with my family( that’ s a part of my self-care as my family brings me joy). And walking, even if just a half an hour but some form of physical activity.
DZ: What promise have you made to yourself that you can say you are doing to work to fulfill now? GJ: That I would leave a legacy of Christ for my family and the world through the written word the Lord has given to me. He never told me this would happen through selfpublishing which is the way I planned to go( laughing at MY plans). No, I am purposefully, posturing and positioning myself to hear who the publisher will be that will partner in God’ s vision for the books that tell His stories.
By Victoria Corprew DZ: What would you do if you were sure you could not fail? VC: If I were sure that I could not fail and given the opportunity, I would love to be the voice of an animated character. DZ: What would you tell your 18 – 25-year-old self based on what you know now? VC: Do not settle into what others want or expect for you. Learn what it is that you genuinely want and in order to do that you have to try different things and take some risks. DZ: How do you define success? VC: Success for me is when I have achieved a goal that I have set for myself. I feel successful when I am true to myself and proud of the work I am doing. DZ: What are daily / weekly self-care practices? VC: As an introvert, peopling is hard and draining! So, I need down-time. 2 hours of quiet, where I am alone and I either sleep, read or binge watch something on tv. I may or may not answer the phone or texts, and my children know to respect this time. DZ: What promise have you made to yourself that you can say you are doing to work to fulfill now? VC: I promised to give myself grace and not put unnecessary pressure on myself. When I start feeling the stress of things that I have taken on and when I feel like I am struggling to meet unrealistic expectations, I remind myself # NoPressure. This helps me to reset and brings calm where there was chaos.
VC: In the company of my sisters … there is vulnerability; my sisters allow me to let my guard down and not worry about having to keep it all together.
VC: My daily practices of prayer and devotion … my day starts and ends with listening to and reading the Word.
GJ: In the company of my sisters … There is safety. GJ: My daily practices of prayer and devotion.. are as essential to my life as the air I breathe.
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