When I was thinking about what I wanted my book launch to look like, I didn’t know the details, but I knew I wanted to: make it fun, include everyone who wanted to be a part of it, and make it as little able ME as possible. I’d watched friends and other authors release books and spend all day watching their Amazon ranking, or feeling stress about how much they were promoting the book, or wondering what to do the next day when everything felt like a bit of a letdown after all the excitement.
My name might be on the cover of “Holy Hustle,” and it might include some of my story, but it’s never been about me. I think that’s why I had so much fun writing it, and why the marketing felt easy. Why wouldn’t I want to share God’s message of hope and encourage women to abide closely with Him so they can find freedom and joy in their work? Imagine what we could do together for God’s kingdom if we worked out of that confidence!
So we had a party. And I invited women who inspired me with the way they work and serve and run their businesses, and we opened the doors to anyone who wanted to come. They shopped, ate cupcakes, listened to incredible music, and bought all my books. I ended the night so grateful, eating cupcakes in bed and truly at peace about the entire thing. The next day I went to work, drank all the coffee to make up for all the extroverting I’d done the night before, and life continued. We went to a cookout with friends, a baseball game, and tonight we clean up the massive mess in our kitchen.
Writing a book was, quite literally, a dream come true. But that one day, or one season of life when we get to do it isn’t the end. We don’t stop working hard after the things God has called us to simply because one day happened. We take time to celebrate it, we honor that it’s good, we say “thank you” more than we’ve ever said it in our lives, we rest, and we take that next best step.
That one simple way I made it not about me? I invited others in, made space, and honored their work. How can you choose community today? What would be different about your work or your expectations if you stopped striving and started serving those God has placed in your life? “Holy Hustle” the book might be in stores, but holy hustle the lifestyle keeps going. One grateful step at a time.
If you want to check out the vendors who joined us on Tuesday, you can do that here:
Vendors:
Middle Spring Soap Co.
Whiskers Vintage & Vinyl
Sseko Designs
Zestt
Jillian Breneman – Licensed Massage Therapist
And a very special thank you to Chris & Cressa for providing music, Janelle for the amazing photos, Katrina, Heidi, & Michelle for helping and to everyone who prayed, supported, shopped, and encouraged. Dreams don’t come true without a village, and I’m so grateful for mine.
there’s two of you, oh that’s right, you’re a twin!! Wish I could have been there in person, thanks for sharing.