My middle child, a bit of a creative writer already, asked me last night: Mom, don’t you write to help people? I replied, Yes, I hope to…that’s my goal.

Then that same creative, inquisitive child asked me: What’s the hardest thing about life? Oh my. I had to stop and carefully choose my words before I answered. After thinking for a moment, I answered: Being yourself.

My questioning child didn’t stop there. She then asked, What’s another hard thing about life? I immediately knew my answer, but had to bite my tongue until I could find the appropriate way to answer. I finally said, Being nice to those who aren’t nice to you.

My goal when I write here is to be myself, to share what I often find hard to verbalize, and to do it in such a way that {hopefully} others will gain something from it. However, there are times when it’s just hard. There are times when I agonize over phrasing so as not to offend anyone. There are times when I spend an hour writing only to chicken out of clicking the Publish button because I fear what others will think. Still, unfortunately, there are those who are just going to find issue with anything I write.

And therein is the hard part of life: continuing to be myself and do what I know I’ve been called to do in the face of opposition. Part of me wants to do what’s easy: give up and return to people pleasing. The other part of me knows I’ll be miserable if I do.

So when my daughter’s final question was, Mom, can I write a blog too?, I was aware that I am setting an example to her. The question I ask myself is this: Do I want her to see me quit what I know God has called me to do in order to please a few people? The answer is a resounding No! My hope for her is that she learns to pursue her God-given talents in a way that fulfills her dreams and helps others despite opposition.