~ November 30, 2020 ~
“Well, I’ve come full circle now, 13 years after I bought this journal at Hobby Lobby on 11-30-07. Then, I was dreaming of working at my current job. I hadn’t even made it to the one out in the sticks yet that paved the way to this one. So much has changed–new home and a new family member in addition to the new job. So much blessing. Yet one thing has not changed. I was working on the third book back then, just as I am now once again.
“God, in all His glory, seems more majestic than ever, presiding supremely over these developments and constants in life, while I waffle from moments of faith to moments of doubt. I am so thankful, my King, that You are running this thing and not me. You show me when to remodel a basement, when to build a garage, when to change trades, when to say no, when to move on, when to stay put, when to rest, when to write.
“Many days seem like naught but trudging along, In hindsight, Your wisdom and guidance are obvious. For all my fickleness, at least I have the sense to obey You and follow. If I lived based on my own research and made my own plans, life would look much worse. All glory and honor to You, O Lord.”
Full circle, indeed. Guess what happened since my last blog post? You’ll never be as surprised as I am. After sharing about the first writing contest I entered back in 2020, and several more over the years that led nowhere . . . I got a call last month from the same contest, in which I entered a different book at the start of this year. I’m a semi-finalist.
What timing! What fun. Even after 25 plus years plying this craft, I’m at the beginning in many ways. And that’s a good thing–much to look forward to, even after all I’ve enjoyed so far. I just marvel at how I got here. What a fine journey it’s been, what adventure lies ahead.
Now, I’m not daft, my fellow travelers, nor greedy. I never expected to place in any contest of any kind. More a matter of due diligence and continuing education than anything. And now that I’ve made the initial cut in one, I’m well aware of the steep odds.
There’s a poignant scene in one of the season 5 Chosen episodes where they’re gathered around the table sharing a meal for a Jewish holiday. They take turns uttering individual parts of a ritual. It goes something like this:
If You brought us out of Egypt, but didn’t part the sea, it would have been enough.
If You parted the sea, but didn’t lead us as a cloud by day, it would have been enough.
If You led us in the desert, but didn’t provide manna, it would have been enough.
And on it goes.
Of course I have no idea whether I’ll move on to the finals. God will do whatever He wants–and that is more than enough.
I pray you all have prospects on your horizons, for He has plans for you, for hope and a future, even if you don’t know it. Never forget.
And here we finish with this particular journal (volume 1). More on that next time.
Write On,
Fellow Traveler