Too close for comfort

“Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 14:57, 58)

No matter how long I’ve been on the journey to write professionally, I still get different reactions from my family members about my writing ministry: “Are you still trying to become a writer?” “When are you going to give up on your dream and return to your real job?” “I don’t know of anyone who has made a living as a writer, so how do you plan to do it?” Even though I have some writing successes under my belt,  those closest to me still don’t believe God has called me to write professionally.

When Jesus returned to his hometown after beginning his ministry, he received different reactions from those most familiar to him. And since those who knew him best could not accept his new role as a healer, teacher and preacher, he was unable to do a lot of miracles among them.

Aspiring Christian writer, as you live out your new role as a professional writer, expect differing reactions from those closest to you. While some of your family members may support you, there will be others who will have a hard time accepting your new role, because they still see you as you were. Even when you demonstrate some success as a Christian writer, their responses to your ministry may remain the same.

How do you handle the reactions you receive from those closest to you as you live out your calling as a Christian writer? By continuing to write and publish. In time, those too close for comfort will see that God really has called you to write for the kingdom.

Sharing the journey,

Jeaninne