Let God Use....

Sometimes I resist blogging because there are so many critics out there, so quick to tell me I'm "too emotional" and to "save it" for a personal journal. I've been chastised more times than I can count for wearing my heart on my sleeve or for being who I say I am.

I have a ton of faults. But one of my strengths (and yes, I have had to deliberately choose to recognize it as a strength) is that I am who I say I am. I am likely the most "un-fake" female on the planet. If I like you, you know it. If I don't like you, you know it. I love Jesus and evvvvvverybody knows it. I am who I am - sometimes it works well for me, and often it does not.

But this is me being real about something that really matters to me - the non-profit we founded in 2010, which has been such a blessing to see thrive, grow and change lives one at a time. I could fill pages with all the awesome things Royal Stage has done - from teaching therapeutic acting classes to rescued child prostitutes to producing professional-caliber shows which allow low-income families to experience live theatre for free - it's just been an incredible journey.

The wonderfulness is what makes the constant prayer on my heart so difficult - is this a ministry I am meant to lead, and if so, how can it work well with my life that has become so busy and so complex with a marriage, two kids, a writing career and some sort of social life?

So I ask you to please pray for me if you read this. I have no doubt Royal Stage is meant to exist. We are completely unique in what we do, and God has made the process far too simple and joyful to be outside of His will. But as director, I find myself too exhausted and too emotionally invested to go day-to-day the way I am. Selfishly, I want to experience His joy too! Selfishly, I want to be able to do this for my entire life without feeling a hundred-pound emotional weight upon my shoulders.

And hopefully, unselfishly, I want people to come alongside and help - experience the amazing side of Royal Stage that I have. The reason I love it. The reason I do it. The reason God orchestrates it and compels it to exist.

Please do not take this as ungrateful if you've helped us get this far. I have an AMAZING team of people who donate financially, pray faithfully and serve to meet so many needs within our group. This blog post is a reflection of the next level in which we need to reach  in order to grow, financially & physically stabilize and thrive. 

I ask you to please prayerfully consider the following:

• do you know someone who would be interested in attending one of our kids' classes? (our teen/adult classes are awesome - we need more children!) 
• do you have time to help with promotions or fundraising? 
• do you have a calling on your heart to help support Royal Stage, regardless of where you live?

If so, I would really love to hear from you. I know the likely outcome is someone will "browse" this blog or read it and then forget about it as the hectic pace of life sweeps us up and lands our focus elsewhere.

But I do ask you to please consider. There IS a way for you to help. Truly. I cannot think of a single person I know who cannot do something that will matter big time in the end.

Here is a form to help you. 

Thank you so so much for reading this. I apologize for the heavy tone - sometimes it's just difficult for a soul to be light on its feet while at a fork in the road.