Sallie Dawkins

Everything is connected to everything, and so are we. No human is alone.

We are all of the same species, and because of DNA, we have far more in common with one another than we may realize. We are at different ages and stages of life, living in different regions of the world and different time zones. We likely have differing beliefs, resources, gifts, and life experiences. Yet, here we are.

There is a quote from Hugh Downs that describes this perfectly: “To say, my fate is not tied to your fate, is like saying your end of the boat is sinking.”

Every one of us is going through something right at this very moment in time. Some people carry grief quietly. Some are navigating sickness, disappointment, family strain, financial pressure, or questions about identity and purpose. Some are searching for answers. Some are trying to find the strength to keep going.

We are ever-evolving and growing in understanding, compassion, love, and, I would hope, spiritual maturity. All the while, the universe’s clock ticks in the background until the fateful time of our last breath on this planet.

But God is near.

He is near to the hurting, near to the weary, near to the confused, and near to those who do not yet have words for what they need. We are not meant to walk through life disconnected from one another, and we were never meant to live disconnected from Him.

Over the last few years, my schedule was hijacked by medical appointments as I searched for relief from pain and dysregulation triggered by toxic exposure. More than once, I felt dismissed when I declined recommended prescriptions and chose to incorporate more wholistic treatments. Although my health has become more stable, the experience truly knocked me off my feet.

It also taught me something important: there are a lot of hurting people in the world. We are all seeking answers in one way or another. And for me, the answer is always Jesus.

Jesus meets us in the places where we feel weak, overlooked, misunderstood, or turned around. He reminds us who we are. He restores our perspective. He teaches us to grow in spiritual maturity, to recognize His voice, and to stand in the identity and authority He has given us in Christ.

Yesterday I started a new journal. At the top of the first page, I wrote, “I dedicate this journal to the God who created the galaxies and knows the stars by name.”

I always keep a journal or notebook nearby for listening prayer, dreams, visions, Scriptures, quotes, and revelation from God. I write down book ideas, prayers, testimonies, and sometimes entire chapters of content.

Your testimony matters. The lessons you have learned in hard seasons matter. The prayers you have prayed, the ways God has spoken, and the stories of His faithfulness may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

This morning I awoke singing “This is my Father’s world: O let me ne'er forget; That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.”  This old hymn was written by Maltbie Babcock of NY and published after his death in 1901. Do you think your words and stories don’t matter? They do. This is an example of influencing the generations (and also the power of life and death being on our tongues).    

Keep listening. Keep writing. Keep sharing what God has done.

God is near, and none of us is alone.

If you feel called to share your story through a book but are unsure where to begin, I’ve written two step-by-step self-publishing guides to help you move forward with clarity and confidence: The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians, and Self-Publishing Simplified: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Success. Both guides offer the same practical foundation for moving from manuscript to published book. The Christian edition also includes guidance for writing devotionals, quoting Scripture, and incorporating prayer points and Scripture-based affirmations for encouragement.