God called me to The Well Fed Mother in October of 2023. This was on the heels of calling me to stop working and focus on my family full-time. He laid it on my heart to share biblical truths, motherhood trials, healthy recipes, good books I’ve read. Maybe dismantle some subtle lies that sneak into our theology…. but mainly give Him glory. And to be honest with you, I have not been very faithful with it. Honestly, I don’t like social media much. I hate getting sucked into it, I sure didn’t feel equipped or qualified. Yet, he just kept bringing it to mind.

(I’ve randomly looked up the website several times over the past two years, and it was always and still available.)

A few weeks ago, I felt God heavily calling me to put effort into sharing the gospel via social media and a website. I tried really hard to resist this. So, I prayed and fasted and said “OK God. If this is your calling, if this is not just my own imagination but truly you, I’d love outside confirmation.” I didn’t tell anyone I was praying about it. I didn’t mention it to my husband, I didn’t mention it to the women I pray with on a consistent basis. I didn’t mention it to my community group.

I was looking for a way out, let’s be honest. I was scared that my own “pride” wanted me to do it. Not only that, it seems hard. I also wanted an excuse to take a job that I was considering.

About a week later, we went to a 50th birthday dinner for my husband’s childhood friend. Now, mind you, I am at dinner with the friend’s wife, Wendy, whom I had only met and spoken with at my wedding over seven years ago, and people I have never met. So, this is basically my first conversation ever with her. During dinner myself, Wendy, and another woman, Kelli, are just talking. Wendy and Kelli have known each other a long time, have kids the same age, so there is just natural flowing conversation. During this conversation out of NOWHERE, Wendy takes a hard left and says “Kelli! You should really follow Jamie on social media! She has this great account that shares the gospel, great recipes, motherhood stuff. It’s really sweet. You would love it”. I was so embarassed. Kelli begins asking me about the account, and I am just stammering. I have no words. I explain I haven’t really been consistent, I don’t really post the way I should I guess. I had great ideas… but you know… So we talk a bit more. Kelli asks me how I got into writing. Have I always been a writer.. I told her I was not, nor have I been. I actually didn’t get into writing or anything until I started studying God’s word after I got saved. I fell in love with reading the bible. Studying the bible. Talking about the bible. Sharing what I learn. I am just passionate about Jesus.

Wendy then deadpan looks at me in the face and says “Sounds like you’ve been disobedient”. I was aghast. Kelli whips out her phone, finds me on Instagram and follows me. She tells me I expect to see you posting soon. I’m going to be looking.

God showed up and called my bluff.

On the way home my husband keeps asking me what was wrong. Did you not enjoy dinner? Are you ok? I told him I was fine. (Typical wife answer). He didn’t believe me. So I finally told him. I told him how I had been praying about the account, how I felt God calling me to do it, how I was afraid, how I asked God to bring outside confirmation, and the conversation that took place at dinner. I was shook.

My husband looks at me and said “Jamie, you know it’s God. He is calling you out of your comfort zone for His purpose. He has set this whole thing up. He called you into leadership at BSF. He called you out of work to focus on it. He gave this desire in your heart to study his word and share it. You have to buy the website tomorrow. No more waiting. You know perfectly well this is how God works. He is not going to call you into what’s easy and comfortable for you. You know that job we are considering is not the answer. Doing what God is asking you to do is the answer”. (Trust me when I say my husband and I both want me to take the job for the money, but neither one of us have peace about it.)

I knew my husband was right and I knew God called my bluff.

The next day our entire family got sick. I mean sick. I was so sick, I would try to read my bible and my brain hurt so bad I couldn’t even focus on the words. I read the same passage in Ezra five days in a row and couldn’t tell you who the passage was even about. I was in bad shape, and I figured satan was trying anything to dissuade me.

Saturday, my brain was finally clear and I was reading Ezra Ch 8, where Ezra and the returning Israelites fast and humble themselves before God asking for protection on their journey (vs 21-23). Ezra was ashamed to go to the king of Persia and ask for protection on their 4 month long journey back to Jerusalem because they had already made a public proclamation of God’s hand is good for all who seek Him. They would look like doubters if they were like soooo king….. can you give us some protection??

I thought about my community group leader saying “If you trust God with your eternity, why not tomorrow?”. And it is so true. If I proclaim that my salvation is secure in Christ, why can I not today trust God with tomorrow? With providing for me when I do what he asks? He called Ezra to return to Jerusalem to teach the Israelites, and Ezra says Yes Lord! And then trust him for protection. Ezra is carrying a vast amount of gold, silver, and gifts from the king on this four month long journey. They are prime for robbery. He declared God’s goodness before the king of Persia, then acts on it and trusts God.

So, who am I to declare that God is good and not act on his calling? Who am I to try and go back to the place he asked me to quit because it’s comfortable? My flesh wants to use that income for “protection”. God asked me to trust him, focus on my family, focus on the things He placed in my life, and declare His goodness. How can I then crawl back to the king for “money”.

It’s crazy.

So, here I am, declaring God’s goodness and trusting that He will provide for our family like He always has while I do what He asked me to do. Seek His kingdom first. Bring the most glory to His name. Share the gospel with the world. Use the gifts He has given me: for words and writing, for loving deep diving into His word, for loving to share the deep riches found in His word, for bringing Him glory!!

Also, I bought www.thewellfedmother.com the very next morning after dinner. It needs a lot of work, but I did it. I was finally obedient.