Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Rouse.
Ashlee, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
God gave me the vision for Assuredly Ashore back in the summer of 2018. I have always loved writing and majored in English at the University of Alabama – so writing has always been a great passion of mine. During the summer of 2018, my great-aunt Ann, who was more like my grandmother, was living with my family. She had dementia and greatly relied on us to take care of her. She loved gospel music, and I often played it for her in the mornings. One day, while Yolanda Adams’ song, “Open My Heart,” played softly on my phone, I began singing along.
During this time, I inattentively sang, “guide me until I’m ashore,” instead of the correct line, “guide me until I’m sure.” I immediately paused because as I spoke them, I knew those weren’t the right words. Immediately, a mental download began (that’s the only way I can describe it). Within seconds I knew the blog’s mission, had an idea for the logo, the blog’s format, and the eventual name, “Assuredly Ashore.” Literally, everything came together so quickly. I knew on a deep spiritual level that it was from the Holy Spirit.
At this time, I had been developing my relationship with God for the past few years. While growing up, I was Christian but my relationship with God was very surface level. In 2015, I truly began my journey with God, and so did my closest friends. So by 2018, I knew His voice and had only felt him speak that clearly once before. While I knew I was meant to start this blog, I was paralyzed by fear for almost two years. I was nervous about being transparent and vulnerable about my faith and also about discussing certain topics. I released my first post in April of 2020, so the blog is approximately four months old right now.
I got to where I am today by stepping out on faith and not allowing outside voices to dictate what God led me to pursue. I encourage everyone who is sitting on something they know they are called to do, to step out on faith and refrain from letting fear hold them back. I promise you, the overall purpose behind you starting your endeavor is not for you, but to inspire someone else. Go after your purpose.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not! The road has not been smooth, but it has been 100% rewarding. Each Sunday, when I release new posts, I think back to when Assuredly Ashore was just a vision in my head. The blog is still very young, but it has already inspired so many people.
Many of the struggles have honestly been self-imposed. This has been a learning process, and I am learning to grant myself grace. In the beginning, I was worried about whether people would read the blog, whether the vision was truly from God, or whether my posts were truly helping others. Well, I can confidently say that I have received positive confirmations in each of these areas. Whenever I hit a bump in the road on the path to success, I will choose to remain authentic to myself and God’s word. You never know who you are touching. People who I never thought would read my blog have reached out to me, and that makes me so happy!
Please tell us about Assuredly Ashore.
The purpose of Assuredly Ashore is to inspire others to strengthen their relationship with God, step out on faith, and to not allow fear and uncertainty to paralyze them from going after their purpose. Professionally, I work as a staff attorney for a company in Marietta. Assuredly Ashore is my passion project. The blog specializes in encouraging others to develop their spiritual growth. One of my goals is to assure others that although they feel like the waves of life are crushing them. God has pulled them assuredly ashore. They are on solid ground and will not be overtaken by the waves of fear and doubt.
The blog is known for releasing new posts each Sunday that cover an array of faith-related topics. While these topics are the main focus, I also integrate personal lessons I have learned from each in an effort to inspire others to keep growing. I am also transparent concerning the areas in which I am still developing.
So far, I am most proud of the impact my blog has made in these four short months. I am proud for finally stepping out on faith to pursue this blog and of the growth, I have seen in myself from the first post until now. I know this is just the beginning, but I am excited to see the continued growth and reach of the blog.
There are many inspiring, successful Christian blogs that I admire. I believe that we are each doing an amazing job by being transparent and ensuring we are speaking for God and not ourselves. At the end of the day, we are each doing God’s work. I may be able to reach people they can’t and vice versa. Therefore, I believe He calls many of us to use our voices to get His message across to others. Assuredly Ashore, just so happens to be my method.
While each Christian blog may target a specific area, we all have the same goal. We want to encourage others in their spiritual walk and point them towards a deeper relationship with God. Each blog topic comes from God, and I actually receive small confirmations throughout the week, showing me this is the topic I should discuss for the current week. I am set apart by my unique voice and the personal perspective that I write from each week.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have definitely started sooner! Who knows where Assuredly Ashore could be right now. I could have encouraged so many more people, however, the important thing for me to remember is that I started.
The fear of the unknown and failure keeps so many of us from pursuing the things we know we should pursue. I love writing the posts and pushing past my walls to get the messages out. It is so rewarding to upload a new post on Sunday nights. I feel accomplished and like I am truly operating in my purpose. That feeling is irreplaceable, and to have been doing this sooner is the only thing I would do differently.
Contact Info:
- Website: assuredlyashore.com
- Email: assuredlyashore@gmail.com
- Instagram: @assuredlyashore_blog
- Other: @ashlaw23 (personal Instagram)
Image Credit:
Cat Harper
Michelle Rouse
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