Lessons I’ve Learned in the Past Five Years of Saying Yes
I’ve learned that when God lays something on your heart, ministry often begins long before you ever plan for it. Sometimes you’re not trying to start anything new at all—you’re just responding to a nudge. And that nudge? That’s the Holy Spirit, quietly directing and guiding your steps.
That’s exactly how it happened with Linda and me.
Both of us have always had a heart to encourage women. We were already doing that—just in different ways and in different spaces. At the time, I don’t think either of us was thinking, Let’s start a ministry. What unfolded came from simply being faithful and responding to the need God placed right in front of us.
Right before COVID, I read a book called Guarded by Christ by Heather Holleman. It was incredibly timely. Then COVID hit, and suddenly we were all living in a season filled with fear, isolation, and uncertainty. In the middle of that, I found myself having to go back to the truth God had planted in my heart through His Word and to rest in Him when everything around us felt unknown, hard and uncertain. Out of that came a desire to share our hope and the truth of God’s word with others.
I started a small online Bible study with a few of my regular Bible study ladies via Zoom, and around the same time, Linda and I began a study in my home using the same book. Women were excited to meet online and in person. We were going through this book and opening God’s Word and encouraging one another in a season when connection and hope were desperately needed. Those early gatherings were the beginning stages. What started as a simple way to stay connected during isolation slowly became something new, something God was clearly birthing in us. We didn’t have a name for it back then, but those studies grew into what we now call The Sublime Soirée.
And from those first yeses until even now, God has been teaching me so much.
Here’s what I’ve come to realize: saying yes to God rarely comes with a detailed roadmap. More often, it comes as an invitation—one small step at a time. Looking back over the past five years, I can see how God has used each yes to stretch me, grow me, and teach me in ways I never expected. So before I share the first lesson, let me say this—I didn’t begin this journey feeling especially confident, prepared, or qualified. I simply said yes to what was right in front of me. And that one yes led to another… and then another. So here are my five top lessons that I’ve learned in the last five years.
Lesson 1: Trusting God in Uncertainty
Just six months into starting The Sublime Soirée—and only days after we met with our Book Consultant to share the beginnings of our book—Linda experienced an unimaginable loss. She lost her son, Noah. There are no words for a grief like that.
In the middle of it all, Linda leaned on God as her lifeline. I walked alongside her the best I could—sometimes knowing what to say, often just showing up, listening, and trying to be a good friend while also keeping our ministry moving forward.
That season taught us something profound: when life feels stripped down and uncertain, God often gives His clearest invitations. One phrase that stayed with us was: “Seated people live seated.” Even when you don’t feel strong, even when your heart is heavy, staying “seated” in God—trusting Him, resting in Him—matters more than anything else.
Ministry is spiritual stretching, and sometimes the stretching comes through the hardest circumstances. And even now, we continue to navigate seasons that are hard—not always the loss of a child, but hard in their own ways. Each time, God meets us there, showing us that faithfulness doesn’t depend on our strength, and clarity often comes in the midst of uncertainty.
Lesson 2: Practical and Spiritual Growth
One of the first things I quickly realized is that ministry stretches us in practical ways just as much as it does spiritually. I mean, personally, I was not a “computer person.” But over time, I got more comfortable with emailing, managing social media, and organizing finances in sheets. It wasn’t overnight, but little by little, I learned to navigate the practical side of things.
Spiritually, I learned that ministry requires putting on the Spiritual Armor daily. There’s an enemy who doesn’t want us to extend God’s invitations. Between health struggles, family hardships, and personal challenges, I saw firsthand that ministry demands sacrifice and not only of time, but energy, and even finances. The enemy definitely doesn’t want us to share the good news of God’s invitations, and sometimes the battle is subtle, just trying to wear us down and other times it is obvious.
We also learned how important it is to guard our friendship. Dividing responsibilities, especially when our gifts overlapped, was key. Choosing one another in love over simply checking off the to-do list became a practice we had to cultivate. We would pause, check in with each other, and remember that we were friends first, ministry partners second.
And rest? I’m still learning this one! Rest isn’t optional. When you have your own ministry, knowing when to step back is essential. We’re still figuring out
rhythms for rest, tweaking our schedules, and learning how to care for ourselves while showing up for others.
Ministry stretches us in ways we never expect—practically, spiritually, and personally.
Lesson 3: We need both Focus and Friends
We quickly realized that taking focused time away was a game-changer. Time alone to plan, create, and practice became crucial. We intentionally carved out time and space to write, speak, and share, and we learned something important along the way: it’s okay to ask for help. One of the best decisions we made was hiring a social media and video person—it freed us up to do what only we could do.
At the same time, we learned how vital community is—beyond just the two of us. Ministry can be isolating, so we made a point to prioritize friendships, mentors, and even consultants. We needed people outside of ourselves—people who could offer wisdom, encouragement, and accountability. These relationships helped keep us grounded, not just in the work of ministry, but in our hearts too. In the end, we saw that focus helps us do what we do, and community gives us the strength to keep showing up.
Lesson 4: Steward what He’s Given Us
Over the years, one of the biggest things we’ve learned is how to really pay attention to our strengths—both on our own and together—and notice where we naturally complement each other. We have also created some rhythms that actually help us make the most of our time and energy. That’s meant doing a little planning, dividing up tasks, learning to say no when we needed to.
Ministry definitely has its costs. There is time, energy, and resources poured in, and sometimes it feels like a lot. But the payoff? Oh, it’s worth every bit. Seeing lives encouraged, hearts lifted, and God glorified—there’s nothing like it. Sometimes God gives us glimpses into what he is doing. It’s not about financial gain but the investment in people and in following God’s call is priceless.
Showing up on purpose really comes down to leaning into what God has placed in our hands, trusting Him with the rest, and celebrating the little
wins along the way. When we do that, the fruit shows up in ways we never could have imagined—sometimes in big, obvious ways, and sometimes in quiet, hidden ways that make your heart smile.
Lesson 5: Keep God First
We’ve also learned how crucial it is to keep God at the center of everything. That means stewarding what He’s given us, spending time in His Word,
continuing to study, and practicing our craft. We are learners who want to pass on what the Lord is showing us. After all, we can’t give what we don’t
possess. My heart is to extend God’s invitations and encourage others to do the same—and we are committed to faithfully sharing what we’ve been
given, trusting that God will multiply it in His timing.
As this year comes to a close, we are so grateful for everything God has taught us over these five years—and we can’t wait to see what He has in store next. Looking back, there’s one thing that keeps coming up: it’s not about doing it all perfectly. It’s messy, it’s real—but it’s about showing up, being faithful, and trusting God with the rest. One step at a time, one yes at a time—and letting Him take care of the rest.
