About 4 years ago I felt that God was calling me to write...not just here on my blog and in my journals....but more devotional style writing. He gave me the concept at that time and for 4 years I've sat on it, mulled over it, thought about it, prayed about, questioned it, and finally in January I yielded to it. I had dabbled in writing the previous years and even had a few devotionals handwritten, but they were lost in IKE and I hadn't really picked up the pen again.
Last Fall, when I had lots of time to think and pray, God reminded me that He had put this desire on my heart. So, I began to seriously pray about it again...seeking His guidance regarding this wild dream of mine. Within a week of really seeking Him, He placed 4 different people in my life to encourage me; to confirm that indeed this was His desire for me too!!!
I wanted to see it all laid out....I wanted to know whether or not I would be published or if I could make a living....I wanted to know whether it was worth the time and effort. Yet, I realized that being obedient to God's plan and purpose doesn't mean knowing all of that in advance. He just asks us to step out in faith and trust Him with the details. He will do with it what He wants, I'm just along for the ride. I had to surrender and have faith...once again!
In January I began getting down to it. Spending time writing almost every day...somedays more than others, but always alert to what He was placing on my heart. I got a binder to place my random thoughts, and the words began to flow more quickly than I ever expected. When I felt Him urging me to write that is what I did. There is no doubt that the words that flowed from my pen were from Him, the Holy Spirit was revealing thoughts and connections to me that I never would have come up with on my own. Nothing terribly deep or profound, but simple truths to share with others.
Then in February I broke my wrist and the writing stopped...I was so discouraged...I was being obedient, finding a groove and BAM...it all came to a screeching halt. Or so I thought....about a week after I broke my wrist a college friend of mine (Emily) who attends my parent's church emailed me to see if I would write an article for a magazine their Women's Ministry was creating. I couldn't believe it....I cried....I laughed...I sat in awe, but not because of the request to write, but because of what she wanted me to write about. The June issue's theme is WORDS. She wanted me to write an article about the power of words....you might wonder why this blew me away. Over 4 years ago, God told me to write devotionals based on the "one little word" concept, but instead of a word for each year, choosing a word to base each devotional on. If this wasn't the biggest confirmation that God wanted me to press on I don't know what could be. So, last week I finished the article for the magazine and when it's published I'll share it here. It's much longer than my typical devotionals will be, but it was a great spiritually creative exercise. I loved it....every minute of it...and am positive I need to move forward with this desire of mine....this desire that God has placed on my heart.
I've been asked to attend a Christian Writer's Conference this November and am praying about whether I'm ready for that just yet...with a new baby and moving that might be a bit much...but I will continue to write and trust God to work out all the details. I'm also committed to sharing the devotionals here on my blog. I've been VERY hesitant about doing this, but it's the next step of faith for this journey. If I'm not willing to share with my blog readers, then how in the world will I be prepared to share with publishers? I hope to post one devotional a week so that I am accountable to keep writing. Comments, prayers, and encouragement are always appreciated too :)
Sometimes you've just got to get out on the water and believe He has great things in store!
