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Nearly fifteen years ago, as God as my witness, I quit writing. I shut off my computer, scooped up my fussy baby, strapped him in the stroller and headed out the door. Along a quiet country road, Baby Nick, free from the confines of the office playpen, giggled and kicked his legs. A gentle spring breeze rustled through the grassy field. Chirping birds, wildflowers sprinkled along wooden fence posts, and a rabbit on our path affirmed there was more to life than a computer screen. Rejection letters numbering in the hundreds were reason enough to avow my one-sided love affair with writing.
On that road, I happily declared to The Almighty that I wasn’t wasting any more time writing unless (there’s always an unless) He wanted me to write and (there’s always an and) He gave me a clear sign why I should spend hours in a dark office, glued to the computer. My school aged children (Jake and Betsy) would see my face instead of my back. They’d get more hugs instead of uh-huh’s.
Relieved of my burden, I returned home to a blinking answering machine. At the beep, an editor for Guideposts for Teens magazine said she wanted to publish my essay. I grabbed Baby Nick and twirled him in a happy dance, then lowered him into his playpen prison. God responded. I was a writer with work to do.
That day, I dedicated my writing to God and took the kids out for celebratory ice cream. The next day, I got a check in the mail from a parenting magazine and a copy of my first published work. Doors to the published world began to open and I’ve been amazed at the writing opportunities that have come my way since.
I’d love to hear inspirational stories from other writers, sharing how you were affirmed that you were a writer.
I love your story: “I was a writer with work to do”. Inspiring.
Thanks!
Inspiring post, thank you! He gives us any talent or words that we have to use, it’s such a sweet tribute to remember Him in our work.
Amen!
How wonderful, Holly!
You say, “My school aged children (Jake and Betsy) would see my face instead of my back. They’d get more hugs instead of uh-huh’s”
Exactly what my seven year old said to me just last night! I guess I write because I can’t not. Is that good enough an answer? Don’t know, but that’s the way it is.
Isn’t it amazing when we give it to Him, how he opens doors and shows us the path? There is something so beautiful about surrender to the Almighty. Thanks for becoming friends!
What an awesome post. Fifteen years ago I was an atheist, but God reached me through my stubbornness.
He has a way of straightening our paths when we can’t see it ourselves.
Exactly, that’s why I like the phrase, God Writes Straight Through Crooked Lines. Crooked Lines is my first Book. And My Blog, of course, Writing Straight. haha!
Can’t wait to read your book “Crooked Lines.” Is it Women’s Lit, Family Saga, or Romance?
I guess I’d call it Literary Fiction. One character is a boy from India, entering the seminary and his journey to priesthood. The other character is a girl, moving away from God after being blamed for her sister’s death, which turns out to be a mystery. The two meet in the end, years later
I like human interest fiction. the more unlikely the characters are to cross paths the better. 🙂