Editor's Note And... I blew it By Darcy L. Fargo

August 13, 2025

I love reading, but because I spend so much of my time writing and editing, reading can feel like work. But my brain craves the stimulation that comes with reading – new ideas, new places, new experiences.

As a result, and because I have a long commute, I’ve come to love audio books.

I’ve used a popular audio book company on and off for years. Not long ago, I was looking through my audio book library trying to find the name of a book I had “read” through the service years ago.

I couldn’t help but notice something: Probably 80 percent of the books I’ve listened to have been in a genre I almost never read when I was firmly committed to what I refer to as “books on dead trees,” actual, physical books on paper. Most of my audiobook collection is comprised of memoirs and autobiographies.

I recently discussed this realization with a friend.

“I especially love memoirs and autobiographies that are read by the authors. There’s something about hearing people tell their stories. I can hear where a person puts emphasis. I can hear the emotion in their voice. It feels almost like sitting across a table from someone and listening to them tell their story. It makes me feel connected to them.”

I thought of that conversation after I recently blew an opportunity to talk about my love of Jesus because I was afraid the other people in the group would think I was weird or different. A group of people at the gym were talking about extended fasting, a practice that has become somewhat common in fitness circles. As someone who has done some extended fasting, I jumped right in and joined them in talking about the health and mental/emotional benefits and the challenges.

Not once did I mention the spiritual aspect of fasting, and that’s always been my primary reason for doing so. I didn’t tell them it reminds me that I hunger for Jesus, and that he alone can bring me fullness. I didn’t tell them that fasting gives me an opportunity to unite my suffering with Jesus’ suffering.

I missed an opportunity to share all the things God has done and is doing in my life. I missed an opportunity to potentially help someone else connect with the greatest story ever – the story of our salvation through Christ.
I’m guessing we can all think of moments like that – moments in which we didn’t speak about our faith or beliefs out of fear, moments of lost opportunity.

I’ve been praying for the fortitude to do better next time.

That’s work worth doing.