• Start Here
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Table
    • Together at the Table
    • Food and Such
      • Beverages
      • Bread
      • Breakfast
      • Main Dishes
      • Vegetables & Sides
      • Soups
      • Desserts
  • Writing
    • On Family
  • Happy Designs
  • Connect
    • For You
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

Just Because You Are Willing… (FMF)

March 7, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 9 Comments

It’s a big thing to be willing. For many (myself included) willingness is a hurdle in and of itself.

Often we might think we are willing, but the fear that is yoked to our willingness is so big and bad, it chokes any excitement over what God might have us to do.

Fear can be a real bully.

Fear tells us so many lies. Actually, it’s the evil one who tells us the lies… he just uses our fears, insecurities, doubts, etc. as the carrier pigeon.

Whether you fear if you can ever really do what it is God has asked, or you fear if every “good” thing you do is really motivated out of pride–

Either way your willingness takes a swift punch to the gut by the fear that follows quickly on its heels.

Bianca Olthoff said something last October that stood out to me on this–

“We need not be adequate, but we MUST be available.” 

She went on to say that “Clarity is knowing what God wants you to do. Courage is believing God is actually going to DO it!”

Whoa. Such truth.

Clarity is a beautiful gift. Clarity can come from pain and joy, and it often involves both. But, Courage? A DAILY battle. But we must keep fighting that battle. We CANNOT give in to the hissing lies whispered in our ear.

“You are not parenting this child right. You’re doing something wrong..”

“You aren’t what that Bible Study needs… you don’t have enough experience.” 

“You never finish anything.”

“You are ordinary. So ordinary that you have nothing to offer.” 

Keep fighting. Don’t expect that because you are willing, you won’t have to fight off the lies of fear. More importantly, keep asking God to answer that door when the great liar knocks. But don’t expect him to ever go away. As long as you are a threat, he will keep knocking.

And a woman who fears the Lord and desires to be obedient and courageous, a woman who carries the light– is a threat to darkness. 

Five Minute Friday

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker and the amazing Five Minute Friday crew!

The Favor of Imperfection
Tuesday Favorites & A chance to do something BIG from your kitchen!!

Comments

  1. dorgitman says

    March 7, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Stopping by from FMF, and thank you for writing that, because that’s exactly my battle! There’s actually tears in my eyes as I write this. Your blog is lovely and upbeat. Many blessings to you!

    Reply
  2. Emily Simmons says

    March 7, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Oh, Cynthia, I needed to read this today. Thank you so much for being willing to share these words.

    Reply
  3. Holly Barrett says

    March 7, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Whoa – a threat to darkness! Being willing and being available is totally worth it when we threaten the darkness. Great post, Cynthia!

    Reply
  4. richelle @ "our wright"-ing pad says

    March 7, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    hey… are you a motivational speaker in another life?

    great words… super encouraging and challenging 5mf write this week. thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Meredith Bernard says

    March 7, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    How true…”a woman who carries the light– is a threat to darkness.” And you are so right, as long as we are a threat, we will be attacked. And God is always wiling to provide a way out. If we are willing to accept. I appreciate your words of encouragement today. Thank your for your willingness to write and share from your heart! 😀

    Reply
  6. amypboyd says

    March 7, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    What beautiful words of encouragement. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  7. Charlie says

    March 7, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    Oh, my! I don’t know how, but I think you wrote this with me in mind. I needed to read it today! Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Dolly@Soulstops says

    March 7, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    Cynthia,
    I just kept saying “Amen” as I read your post…Thank you 🙂 Wise and true words 🙂

    Reply
  9. Micah says

    March 8, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    Oh wow. Some great truth in this. Loved these words in particular –

    ‘it’s the evil one who tells us the lies… he just uses our fears, insecurities, doubts, etc. as the carrier pigeon. Whether you fear if you can ever really do what it is God has asked, or you fear if every “good” thing you do is really motivated out of pride–Either way your willingness takes a swift punch to the gut by the fear that follows quickly on its heels.’

    Speaks so much to what I often find to be my struggle whenever I seek to step out in obedience to Him. You break it down so well. Great post.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe and receive a Free copy of “Simmer: Six soup recipes and the Stories that Inspired Them.”

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Hey There!

I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

Instagram

happygostuckey

Truth: I am not the best cookie baker in our house Truth: I am not the best cookie baker in our house. It is hands down @friar_stuck — Today he added a pinch of fresh orange zest to Oatmeal Scotchies and they taste just like childhood.

My grandma used to make these and serve them to me on a pink plate with a small glass of sprite with ice. At 39, I now realize two things— 1. She would have adored my husband and 2. these cookies go best with coffee or tea.

What cookie makes you feel eight years old again?
There’s something unusually long about the winte There’s something unusually long about the winter months when we’re in a season of slow growth and imperceptible change.

The landscape outside your window TODAY can feel like it’s your landscape forever but it’s actually not.

If the view from where you stand looks rather bleak and not at all how you hoped, can I remind you to look up? 

These trees in my own backyard, captured this morning, last March, and last August, will continue changing in their own rhythmic way whether I’m watching them or not. There’s a comfort in that for me today— and perhaps for you.

Whatever looks slow and unmoving, with change almost too gradual to detect— is still very much in a pattern of forward transformation.

And these quiet days in the midst of our January-ness— we can be reminded that growth never really stops, especially in the hidden places.

#wonderfortheweary #feastingandforaging #bluehousebackyard
Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kett Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kettle for more tea.

This is the first complete weekend that we’ve been home since Thanksgiving. 😳 It sounds awful, especially for this homebody, but really what it means is, we’ve celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, attended one beautiful family wedding (Hey, Shelby! 👋🏻❤️) one 90th Birthday party for our beloved Granny, and had a family trip. They were all such sparkly gifts. Ones I don’t take for granted and so very different from last year.

But I do love home— and am happy to spend the second half of the day right here with this book which I’m truly enjoying. 📚❤️
The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me t The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me to tell you three V. important things. 1. After years of having one pub and no church, they are *finally* getting a church tomorrow, thanks to FB marketplace. And all the people said, “Amen & Huzzah.” 2. We’re still keeping Christmas over here — Though we’re slowly bending towards back to normal. The tree still lives and we’re celebrating the tenth day of Christmas with a fire & coziness before we pull out the pencils tomorrow. And finally, 3. Everyday Affogato. You might need this tiny pick me-up in your life. One shot of hot espresso poured over a tiny serving of vanilla ice cream. Please and Thank you.✨ #merrymerrystuckeys
2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Mu 2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Much of which we are happily taking with us into 2022.🥂

Nine squares is not sufficient to reflect the ways we’ve grown and changed, but it is a glimpse of the graces of the year behind us.

Not pictured: waking up to find our children taller and suddenly at our eye level, new laugh lines on our faces, sweltering pool days, fireplace dinners, Marco Polo chats with friends, family weddings & visits, mountain air breathed, books read, new jobs begun, school days, approximately 52 pizza nights, new rhythms & schedules, house repairs, car issues, and God always before us, behind us and within us. Soli deo Gloria. #thebestisyettocome
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave t On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… 🍦Four Honeymoon milkshakes from the Dreamette. We’re going out with a bang, at the spot where their Grandparents grew up eating their ice cream. It’s absolutely the GOAT.
🎄✨Merry Christmas from Team Stuckey!✨🎄 🎄✨Merry Christmas from Team Stuckey!✨🎄

2021 has been full of new things— but I’m grateful we have walked through them together and in God’s sovereign hand. 

Pro (🤣) -Tip: if your Christmas cards say Happy New Year, you have longer to mail them… 📮🥂
Okayyyy @smittenkitchen ‘s Gingerbread Bûche de Okayyyy @smittenkitchen ‘s Gingerbread Bûche de Noël was fun and delicious. 4 out of 4 Stuckeys agree we have a new Christmas dessert! 🎄❤️

Happy Christmas Eve, friends— especially all you midnight merry makers! Hope you find all the stocking stuffers you hid.🙈
Do these Mince Pies make me look One-Quarter Briti Do these Mince Pies make me look One-Quarter British?

Truth be told, my grandma always used the jarred mincemeat and I wasn’t a fan as a child. Only last year did Lance and my Mom collaborate in the kitchen to try out homemade mincemeat filling and let me just say, we are never quitting these! 😍

The filling we use is from @bonappetitmag and it’s really good. It’s a gorgeous blend of apples, dried fruits (cherries, apricots, sultanas, figs, currants) with apple cider, spices, and a few other things. No meat, though.

Happy Christmas from the Jolly Old Stuckeys! 🇬🇧🎄❤️
Follow on Instagram

Categories

Featured Posts

Autumn Apple Dutch Baby

Saturday Breakfast is an important rhythm in the #BlueHouse-- my husband is an excellent breakfast … [ Read More ]

On Waiting & Moving

(And a Recipe for Italian Tortellini Soup)Later this month, our family will celebrate the 10th … [ Read More ]

Five Good Things

Hi. How are you, really? If you're anything like me-- you have moments of complete gratefulness for … [ Read More ]

Winter Favorites

(and why it matters to pay attention to the little things.)"For you are the sunshine-maker in your … [ Read More ]

Loving Lately in November

"...all creation's revealing his majesty. We're invited to join with all nature in manifold witness … [ Read More ]

Miss Something?

Please be kind and give proper credit if you share! © Cynthia M. Stuckey. For personal use only, not to be copied, distributed, altered or sold.

Privacy Policy

Full privacy policy may be found HERE.

Want each post to magically appear in your email box?

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Cynthia@happygostuckey.com
xo Cynthia
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Table
  • Writing
  • Happy Designs
  • Connect

© 2025 · Pretty Creative WordPress Theme by, Pretty Darn Cute Design