Her Story: Lord, what would you have for me to do with the rest of my life?

Sarah Martin Byrd is a friend, a Sister-in-Christ, and a lady who has taught me the importance of penning words, sharing stories, and trusting God when the road ahead seems unclear. Sarah lives in the Pleasant Ridge Community near Elkin, NC and is the author of four fiction books, In the Coal MIne Shadows, The River Keeper, The Color of My Heart, Guardian Spirit and one children's book, The Manger Mouse.

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Recently a fellow author asked me if I’d like to share “My Story” on her blog site. This really got me to thinking, what is my story? I have a lengthy bio on my website, (www.SarahMartinByrd.com) that tells you a lot about where I came from and who I am, but for the past several years I seemed to have been just floating through life merely taking up space, going in one direction then another.

My once weekly blog has become nonexistent. Why? Several reasons. Number one: We built a campground and ran it for five years, but that business was sold over a year ago, so what have I been doing? It’s called retirement. Since my husband is officially retired, daily he asks me, “What are we going to do today?” Non-writers, like my husband does not understand how someone can sit for hours and type away on their computer or fill page after page with penciled words. It looks like a complete waste of time to them, is it?

I have felt very guilty about not blogging. I do believe many people read my stories and were encouraged. But, what’s a girl to do? Disappoint the hubby by being selfish and doing what I want to do? Surely there is a happy medium.

I ask myself daily, “Lord, what would you have for me to do with the rest of my life?” My husband and I visit the sick and lonely, share food with them and such, is that my new ministry, or do I put words on paper, or both. Such is my dilemma. I am praying and asking God to show me what He would have for me to do.

I know that if I ask God, He will answer me in some way, shape or form. His answer for me this time was Ruth, the ancestress of David. Ruth could have gone back home to her people after her husband died but she chose to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi. She took a unknown path, she chose the route God had for her. That is all I want from life, I want to map out destinations that the Lord would have for me to travel, be it writing a blog or wandering around the country with the retired hubby. Can I have both, yes, I think I can.

Ruth 1:16, And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.

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Sarah's book, The River Keeper was recently chosen as the 2021 Blue Ridge Read selection for this year.

To read more of Sarah's story and purchase her books, visit her website at www.sarahmartinbyrd.com

“Success does not mean making more money, success is how your words effect others hearts.“

– SARAH MARTIN BYRD