By Reba Phelps

One beautiful and sunny day, while at work, I was summoned to the front office to meet with a client who had an appointment. As I made my way up the hall I was feeling excited and even had a little spring in my step. I had spoken with this client many times on the phone but had never met her face to face. Most of my business relationships begin with a phone call or a referral from another colleague or community member, so this is not atypical. In some cases, due to technology, we may never meet face to face.

So, I do count it as pure joy when I am finally able to meet a client in person.

When I entered the lobby I knew without a doubt who she was. I knew this because she appeared as happy as she sounded on the phone. Her hair was perfectly coiffed and her attire was so bright and cheerful. She had earrings and other accessories that matched her sparkling personality and her ensemble. She looked exactly how I thought she would.

Happy.

Once we made our way into my office we began discussing the business at hand but our appointment quickly grew into a personal conversation. She told what brought her back to Natchitoches after being gone for so many years. She told me about her parents and her successful career before retirement. Once we covered the basics of our past and present she asked me if I had any hobbies.

I drew a blank. Do I have a real true hobby?

With much shame and regret I could not let on that I was living a hobby-less lifestyle. I quickly babbled something about being busy with kids and work but really…I was just a boring soul. I then tried turning all of our attention back to her and her hobbies. She was way more interesting than I was. She was beaming with excitement when she told me that she was learning to play the piano and loved remodeling homes. I literally sat there in awe listening to how majestic, fun and peaceful her life sounded.

My new friend was very inquisitive and clever. She was not convinced that I had nothing to offer in the hobby department. She asked me if anything had ever piqued my interest but I just hadn’t taken the plunge. The only thing I could possibly think of was writing.

She went on to inquire why I haven’t started writing. I really didn’t have a valid reason other than I just haven’t made time for it and had no clue what I would even write about.

I had long been interested in blogging or anecdotal stories with a spiritual twist but the more I researched blogging it was too high maintenance for me. Most bloggers post daily or multiple times a week and they have a target audience whom they are trying to reach to push products and garner attention from companies. I just didn’t fit this mold.

My new friend took this a step further and let me know that I should just write every single day. Just write something and see what comes out. She went on to tell me that we are all gifted with interests that casually appear but soon they keep tugging at you until you explore them. Once you explore them then you can perfect them with practice.

It took me a few months after our visit to realize that my interest in writing was not going away. I am still figuring out exactly where it is going. God has opened up so many doors for me. I do believe my new friend was put in my path to encourage me and to teach me that you are never too old to add new interests.

Chances are…our interests have been within us since birth. We just need to find the confidence and encouragement to make them happen. Do you like to sing? Do you like to write? Do you like to sew or bake? Do you like to garden? Do you like to encourage people? Do you like to organize? Do you like to volunteer? Have you thought about starting a business?

What is holding you back? Take the first step today. Don’t deny what God has for you to do. It may be the most fulfilling and satisfying thing you have in your life. If you are unsure I will check with my friend to see if she is available by appointment to encourage you.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying then prophesy in accordance with your faith; If it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching; then teach. If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously, if it is to lead; do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” – Romans 12:6-8