God's Detour, Part 3 - The Ramifications

Photo courtesy of "Clarita" of morguefile.com

"For Thou are my rock and my fortress; for Thy name's sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me." - Psalm 31:4

My last 2 posts have been about a grand epiphany I had that's changed my heart and thinking, plus the immediate returns that have manifested. Today, I want to explain what this means for you, dear readers.

The short of it, I'm on sabbatical from writing for an unknown period of time, until the circumstances of my life change. Unless time, focus, and inspiration allow, all currently unfinished books are on hold.

I will continue to edit and publish stories that are already written, plus I hope to revise a couple of previously released books (Beyond Hope and Curse of the Talmara). Both were published before I had my current edit help, and they reflect that. I've wanted for years now to bring both up to snuff, but I've lacked the time due to so much writing going on. God's provided the perfect opportunity for me to take care of that.

This break could be a month, 6 months, a year, ... I simply don't know yet. I miss writing, and I really want to be back at it, but I desire MOST to be in step with God and His will in my life.

In all likelihood, you won't really notice any of this, since I have completed novels to edit and publish in the interim and there probably won't be any gaps in new books being put out. With one notable exception. The Christmas novella due out right now is not complete, and it appears it won't be finished this year. Maybe it'll be ready for Christmas 2019. Hopefully.

God's Detour, Part 2 - The Immediate Return

Photo courtesy of my furkid, Harika, who seems to
be able to get comfortable ANYWHERE. ;-)

"...for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." - Philippians 4:11b

I wrote yesterday about the epiphany I had about 3 weeks ago (as of the moment I'm actually writing this post).

As a result of that flash of life-jarring insight, I decided that things WOULD change. Not someone else. Not the circumstances of my life. ME. My heart and way of thinking. I wouldn't let resentment have a part in my life anymore. I would enjoy the time I had with family and friends, so I can look back with peace instead of regret.

The rewards for this attitude change were immediate. I visited with family who had come to see us without being distracted by discontentment or thoughts about the book I "should" be trying to finish that "really needs to get done".

After that, I ended up going out of town with my mom to spend the weekend with even more family (an opportunity I almost passed up). Despite a few annoyances (such as what resulted in my back injury), I wouldn't trade that time for anything. Two major, special things came out of that weekend. One is too personal to share. The other?

I got to see my oldest nephew perform in an opera at his university. It was the first time I'd ever seen him perform, and it was WONDERFUL. It was the first time my mom had seen him perform since he'd graduated from high school. I thought for sure she was going to cry. If she had, I'd have been right there with her, probably both of us embarrassing my sister, who isn't a crier. Thankfully, she held it together, so I did, too.

If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Despite my back.

Funny thing about the back injury. If it had happened even a week prior, I would've been seriously ticked off about yet another disruption in my life. Especially after receiving the news that I have months of recovery ahead of me. I never expected to be using a walker at only 48 years of age, but as it happened, I've had peace and maintained my sense of humor, despite pain and serious limitations.

(Though, I have to admit I temporarily lost my sense of humor after a sourpuss, impatient lady at the store hit me with her shopping cart because I didn't get out of her way fast enough. She scowled at me like it was my fault and didn't even apologize for the pain she'd caused that nearly buckled my knees. How rude!)

My body's healing with fabulous help from my chiropractor and our naturopathic physician, and I'm remaining content, purposing NOT to allow my current dependence on others or curtailed routine/life to dampen my spirits or cause me to lash out. The timing on my epiphany was perfect, and the peace it brought is already overflowing into other areas of my life, as is generally the case when God shines light on issues like that.

What does all of this mean for my writing though? Watch for my next post to find out.

God's Detour, Part 1 - The Epiphany

Photo courtesy of "johnlindsay" of morguefile.com

"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

I've meant to post for a couple of weeks now but have been unable to sit at my computer due to a bad back injury. Timing is everything, and sometimes God sends us on a detour for reasons we can't always fathom. At least, not at first.

It started with an epiphany....

For the past couple of years, I've struggled with increasing frustration over the fact I can't concentrate to write like I used to. Too many interruptions and disruptions, and I was beginning to resent those who have been the cause of those distractions.

Also, I struggled under a heavy burden of doubt and grief. Maybe I'd just been kidding myself to think God wanted me to write. Then again, maybe not, but He'd removed that calling. Had I failed to do it to His specifications? Displeased Him somehow? On top of a LOT of unanswered prayers, was that further proof that He had gotten so disgusted with me for some reason that He'd abandoned me? That He no longer had use for me?

Yeah, I know. Satan had a real field day with me.

About 3 weeks ago, I was talking to one of my sisters about something totally unrelated (or so I thought) when something I'd said years ago to a couple of other writers came up. They had been lamenting the fact they couldn't find time to write because of the time- and energy-consuming demands of small children, in addition to having a husband and house to take care of. In one case, there was also a part-time job involved. I always have the same advice for writers in that situation, and it can be summed up as follows:

The writing will always be there. The children won't. They'll grow up and leave home. Enjoy them while you can, so you won't look back at these years with regret.

As I shared this with my sister, it suddenly clicked in my brain. (I'm slow sometimes, but I buy a clue eventually.) That advice applies just as much to my own life right now. Not because of small children or a job outside the home (the latter of which prevented me from writing for years). Family and friends matter just as much though.

Gotta love it when the Lord throws my own words back in my face, even years later.

I can't tell you how often over the years I've talked to someone who has lost someone they love and carry a heap of regret and sorrow over time they wish they'd spent with that person, things that were never said, and opportunities to spend time together passed over due to other things taking priority.

I don't want to be that person. I don't want to look back on this time in my life with regret because I made something more important than the people I care about.

I resolved that very moment for things to change. For my heart attitude to change. I pondered this quietly for a few days, praying about it, before sharing it with anyone else, wrapping my head and heart around all the implications and ramifications of this MAJOR (for me anyway) priority shift.

God has detoured me. He hasn't forgotten, dismissed, or abandoned me. He has simply revealed that He wants me to diverge onto a different path for now. Take the scenic route, if you will. Until it's time to return to the main road. What the purpose of it is remains to be seen, but it should be interesting.

The benefits of accepting that made themselves known almost instantly. Catch my next post to see how.

What about you? Has the Lord ever used your own words to direct you?