My Writing Adventure

I found this morning's devotional to be so timely and encouraging I wanted to share it:

Morning

The Lord is our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6

It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would be if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption and the depravity of the heart and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further and remember that we are perfect in Christ Jesus. It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind “Christ Jesus, whom God made . . . our righteousness,”¹ we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord—Christ has done it all. On the cross He said, “It is finished!” and if it be finished, then am I complete in Him and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, “not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”2 You will not find on this side of heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ’s righteousness. When the believer says, “I live on Christ alone; I rest on Him solely for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus,” then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought: “Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love Him and serve Him, seeing that I am saved by His merits?” “The love of Christ controls us,”3 “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”4 If saved by imputed righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness.

I had lunch with my dear friend, Sheri, today. (Hi Sheri!)

I poured out my heart and my feelings of conviction about how stupid writing feels to me. I've said it before but I am not qualified for this task. Sheri encouraged me to just break up this major to-do into little tasks -- and WRITE! I need to get past the frustration of not having things the way I want them and start moving forward. (Thanks Sheri!!)

Sometimes I'll troll the internet looking for some kind of encouragement only to be discouraged in the end. Reading blogs about other people's cute toddlers or new cars or how very difficult it is to be a professional writer tends to drag me down a little rather than building me up. That is actually why I started the Gathered Chick blog in the first place. I was talking to God about my discouragement after doing a little internet surfing and I felt His leading to start a blog of my own to encourage anyone who might read it. And I'm not sure many people are reading it but I hope it encourages them.

On another note, if you were taught, as I was, that God and the pronouns to describe Him should be capitalized but are noticing that some authors don't follow this rule, check out this incredibly informative article to learn more: http://www.allaboutgod.com/the-write-way/issue-28.pdf.

~ H

First post of 2008. As my other blog, Gathered Chick, indicates, this year hasn't quite gone as I expected it would.

During the last two weeks I've really struggled with the whole idea of writing. I am completely unqualified and often dread even composing a simple thank-you note. I asked God for clarity on this issue and got a firm "move forward" from Him during the weekend message at church.

Our pastor taught on Matthew 13:1-23, the Parable of the Sower. He called the person in verse 22 "The Chronically Conflicted." This person wants Christ to be a good addition to their life, instead of having Christ be their life. I cried as I realized that God has spoken to me over and over that He has a story He wants me to write. If Christ is indeed my life, then who am I to say I can't or won't do this because I'm scared or fear failure.

I want to be the person in verse 23 who is all-in and produces a bountiful crop. So, here I am. Ready to do the Lord's will. (But still saying "eeek!" at the prospect.)

Yesterday I went to the Apple store to check out their low end laptops. I asked God to please stop me from buying the laptop if this isn't what He wants or to please give me the go-ahead if this is His will. Through some circumstances, I believe I got His "move forward" again. My laptop should be here in a couple of weeks and I'm actually a little excited about it.

~H

and I am now 39 years old. [sigh]

Because much of my life hasn't turned out the way I thought it would, this day could be a little depressing. On the one hand, I've just lost my job. I've lost my church home. I don't have any children. I don't own my own home. On the other, I'm married to the love of my life, a man who might just be the best husband on earth. I'm healthy. I have a fantastic family and fabulous friends. And, although I can no longer consider myself young, I'm definitely young-at-heart.

This next year has the potential to be the best year of my life. But it might also be the scariest year of my life.

Four years ago God gave me a story that I believe He wants me to write. It is definitely not a story I would have imagined on my own and I have no experience with writing fiction. All I've got is a charge from The Holy One to get this story written, a supportive husband and the time to write.

Instead of fervently looking for a new job as many of my former co-workers are doing, I'm going to spend the next few months working on my book and investigating how I might make a living as a writer. Whether this story is for me to enjoy alone or something that can be sold is yet to be seen.

At the same time, my husband will be trying to build up our one-year-old photography business. At the end of 2008 we will either be living in my parents' garage or we'll have had some kind of success. We hope that success ends up in the form of two small businesses that allow us to start a family, give generously to others and enable to do more than live paycheck to paycheck.

So, come along on this journey with me. Let's see where this takes us and where God is leading.

VERSE FOR 2008

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.