Nov 14, 2018
Amy Parker's story is one of success in work because of faith
in God. It's a simple story of a woman who
had acquired her "dream job” with a fantastic company and
was soon devastated to hear the news that she was to be fired.
Over the course of time, Amy says she can look back now and see it
was very clear that God was paving the way for her to exercise the
skills of a children's author, an actual dream job that she didn't
know was possible in her life.
Speaking of exercising skills, have you all heard of
The Artist’s Way?
It is a book that Amy has dubbed the "12 step program
for artists or creatives". She wholeheartedly recommends it! The
concepts we talk about that really help you clear your mind and
move forward in the creative process.
One of them, Morning Pages, where you write anything that is on
your mind, (stream of consciousness)- gets the mundane tasks out of
the way to tap into the creative voice.
Internal editor/internal voice it's something that we may not even
be aware of. But I love how Amy clued us into seeing when our
internal editor seems to be the loudest. It’s when our
confidence is shaken, that we start to let the internal negative
voice take over. It can discourage and persuade us from moving
forward, particularly after a setback. I love how Amy points to our
true Inner Voice (God) and how He's the one that will ultimately
guide us into the places and spaces that we are meant to be.
Amy's job loss took her to a place where she was forced to step out
and pursue something little bit out of her comfort zone: Writing
Children's Books.
In that stepping out, Amy found a new job. She can say God fully
cared for her in this job in ways she never anticipated. This job
came with perks that her old job never had; namely the flexibility
to be near her children when they needed her. Hindsight showed her
that this was such a blessing. And I particularly loved how her
story has highlighted that women can have professional jobs and
simultaneously play a large role in raising their children. The
balance that Amy juggled was definitely real. This was almost 2
decades ago when women working from home with kids in their lap was
certainly not the norm. I love Amy's insight with her experience as
a dedicated mom who was also fully invested in her career.
Pro tip from Amy: moms need to put on clothes and make-up and get
out of the house and connect with other adults. This is essential
to stay whole and not lose yourself in just one facet of your work.
It allows you to reconnect with other parts of yourself and not
just stay on autopilot with a mom-brain.
You don't want to miss the end of our time together when Amy openly
shares about her relationship with God and how He has crafted Amy's
story from the very beginning.
Amy tells us how her experiences gave her faith that God would
provide. She had assurance that He would take care of her, even
when her husband was fired from His job. And yes, God even provided
then!
God is not kidding when He says he will give us more than we could
ever ask or think. Amy found that her worst career moment of being
fired from her great job ended up being for the best moment because
God provided a perfect job: Living the dream as a full time writer.
(Amy will quickly dispel the glamour of her writing gig, but never
diminishes the fact that it's a job she loves because she fully
feels like it's what she was created to do.
I love the charge Amy gives when it comes to the idea of success.
She encourages us to back up and to focus on the purpose God
created for us instead of the plan we think we need to "get there".
Let God formulate the plan as you work solely on executing the
purpose. Whether it be helping, creating, educating, encouraging,
protecting, caring, or saving...your purpose can be found in a role
or a job, it can be to a large group or a single individual, but it
usually doesn't look like we think. The world says success is
achieving certain milestones or a large reach of people, but God is
pleased when our purpose is acted out in faith. This doesn't always
match the definition of the world's success. It may not mean
getting publicity or having a large influence. But instead, the
small quiet moments of acting in His purpose feel right,
meaningful and satisfying.
Walk free in knowing that when you're doing what you're
created for, you're on the path to glorifying Him and that's the
most fulfilling place to be.
Amy's purpose is to encourage families to read delightful books.
She writes wonderfully crafted stories that are fueled from her
faith in God.
Check out the Night
Night Series and other books.
Follow Amy so you can be anticipate her upcoming books, The Night
Night Bible Book and The Night Night Devotional.
Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyparkerbooks/
Amy's Website: http://amyparkerbooks.com/
Amy's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyParkerAuthor/