Monday 23 November 2015

Out of My Comfort Zone by Pamela Heemskerk

Why don’t you write about it?

Me? Write?

Yes. Put it down on paper.

So I started. As I started writing, it became really interesting, then it became a booklet.

Why don’t you get it published?

Publish? Me?

I foresaw a life of camping, boating, jigsaws, sailing, meeting friends, bush-walking. But writing?
Out Of My Comfort Zone, you ask? No, not really OOMCZ so much, as about two planets away. And my feet remain firmly on earth.

So now that I have just published my first booklet, I think back over the journey. Was I stretched? Yes. Uncomfortable? Yes. Overwhelmed? At times. Stressed? Yes! Especially when it was two weeks before my ‘book spot’ at the Christian Writers’ Conference and I still didn’t have a book to show anyone!

Did God come through? Yes, yes and yes.

Often when we listen to God and obey, we are stretched. Do I see you reaching for the ear-plugs? Well, before you pop them in, just think about what you may miss.

Apart from the joy of obedience, and learning to persist, and striving for excellence, I discovered I can do way more than I ever thought through Jesus.

I also discovered God could do way more than I ever thought with me.

Both these things have increased my faith in God and my confidence that He will enable me to do what He asks.

And it has been exciting!

So the next project? Well, it is not a writing project, but it will have writing and planning in it. God has been prompting me for two years to work towards this, and reluctantly, I am taking steps. This project is on my all-time list of ‘Things I Never Want to do’.

Will I be stretched? Yes. (Painfully, I expect!) Am I scared? Yes. Puzzled? Totally. Can I trust God to take me each step? Ummm…

I related this to Anne B, a lady I worked with many years ago, to whom I dedicated my booklet. We met in Adelaide the week before the Christian Writers' Conference. She told me about her experience when she started a new job in an area she felt totally untrained for. She complained to God, ‘I have no idea why I am in this job, or what I am doing?’ And He said to her, ‘Go to work, put down your bag, and pick up a pencil.’ So, she went to work, put down her bag and picked up a pencil. And God gave her so much information, she could barely write fast enough.

Can I trust God to lead me each step? 

I’m sitting here with my pencil poised …


Pamela writes mostly non-fiction including devotions, and has had a number of short articles published. She is passionate about promoting awareness around hearing loss, and is just finalising publication of a booklet on this topic. An Allied Health worker, she is currently working with people with a disability. She is a jigsaw addict, and enjoys embroidery, art and sailing.

15 comments:

  1. Great to hear how God has stretched you, Pamela - and I'm waiting with bated breath to hear where God is leading you. BTW do you have a link to your book about hearing loss - A Rather Small Chicken (did I get the title right?). From the quick glance, it looks like both a useful and entertaining read.

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    1. Hi Jeanette,
      I'm publishing it through Ingram Spark, but will do a print run shortly - it will be handy to have some right here. Just tidying up a couple of typos.. there's always one somewhere! The title is 'Rather a small chicken.. A Guide to Hearing Loss for Family and Friends.'
      It's been an interesting journey! And I will give you all the details of the next one once I get going.

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  2. Good on you, Pamela, both in seeing that first booklet through to completion and for being prepared to take on the next challenge God has for you! I enjoyed your lovely, humorous writing style in this post, so I hope this next phase of your life does include writing in some shape or form.

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    1. Thanks Jo-Anne. I certainly hope there will be writing somewhere along the way - especially after the Christian Writers' Conference and all the inspiration from there. Even if it is as a 'hobby', I will still write.
      Enjoyed reading some of your blogs, Jo-Anne. You have been busy!

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  3. Looking forward to seeing what God has in store for you Pamela. I don't know about you, but I hate being out of my comfort zone, while loving it at the same time, because I know it will lead to change and a new level of trusting God. Keep that pencil poised!

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    1. Thanks Janelle. The one thing I have learnt this year is that I can trust God. I'm sure going to need to next year!
      Following God's lead is like someone described once (Christine Caine, I think) - it's like swinging from the tree tops in a strong wind, thrilling but terrifying. Who needs an adrenaline rush?

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  4. Great post Pamela. I guess many of us have experienced that discomfort and wonder whether we're taking on too much. But when the Lord opens those doors, we'd be foolish not to grab those wonderful opportunities!

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    1. You are right Rita - those opportunities are too few and far between to neglect. And who knows where we will end up when we do grab hold of them? At least I'll know God is in control.

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  5. Great post Pamela. I feel God has been taking me out of my comfort zone lately too. Eek!! Just as well God knows what he's doing. Make give "stretchercise" a new meaning when we catch up for the next Quills meeting.

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    1. Love it! Stretcher-cise - so long as they don't carry us off on stretchers...!
      I think a lot of us are being stretched at the minute - must be something big about to happen in God's Kingdom.

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  6. Fabulous post. I think He wants us to stretch and spread and develop our wings. And sometimes it is scary. And overwhelming. But it is also, miraculous and breathtaking. I can tell you've felt all this and more. Congrats on the booklet. Thank you for reminding us to be aware of His leading. :-)

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    1. hi Robyn - sorry delayed reply. It has been a bit scary, and overwhelming and all the rest, but there's more to come. And I'm getting excited now, because I can see the potential - not juts for me, but for so many others who are seeking to make God Lord in their lives.
      ps the photo came from one od our serious Quill discussion (see Nola's blog today!)

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  7. Great post Pamela. That's awesome how God led you and had you complete the task and increased your confidence and your faith through it. I'm very curious as to what the next task is. Waiting to hear all about it one day. Meanwhile, well done for obeying God. You inspire me! :)

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    1. Hi Anusha - sorry for the delayed reply.
      It has been amazing seeing what we can do through God's power. I know we all can more than we think, but I think we need to be getting ready for the ride of our lives - it's going to be way more than we think! Exciting!

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