My very dear friend and critique partner, Diane Bohannon of Revision Warriors, tagged me in the My Writing Process blog hop. Woo hoo. Instant post topic!
1.) What am I currently working on?
I am steeling myself to submit my adult epic fantasy novel to two publishing houses that accept un-agented submissions. From Ashes is the first novel of a trilogy set in a theocratic nation bordered by deadly dragons and shape-shifting Interraphym. When the dragons offer heir-apparent, Rhalyn, the chance to undo his greatest regret in exchange for his help in their suit for peace, single mother Kahja will finally have to face the past, because she knows something besides her memory is missing, and she wants it back.
I am also about 20,000 words into book two and can't wait to get all down on paper!
2.) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I write fantasy from a Christian worldview. No dualism (good and evil in balance), no secular humanism (we can fix everything ourselves), and no glorifying immorality (I do strive for realism, but I think one of my strengths is making things that should make a person uncomfortable actually make a reader uncomfortable). Some of my very favorite books have all these things, and I feel like I can't recommend them without contributing to the delinquency of society. However, I am also drawn to examine the messier aspects of life, fallout from a fallen creation. I like asking hard questions. So...I kind of straddle the line between secular and Christian fantasy--which is hard to pitch to an agent!
3.) Why do I write what I do?
I wanted a fantasy where dragons are evil and good is good, even if difficult. Watching my characters struggle for the answers I want helps me clarify my questions. Also, it is so much fun to get to create a world that surprises me and can be both "pleasing" and "instructing." I love Tolkien and Lewis' thoughts on fairy stories and fantasy being able to show things that are truer than life.
4.) How does my writing process work?
My writing process starts with a protagonist in danger--a scene that pops into my head. Then I just follow her around until I know what she fears more than the dragon/ bounty hunter/ looming civil war. :-) By the time I had twenty pages of book one, the rest of the story played in my head like a movie.
I have little time to actually write things down, so it helps me to start a computer folder for each project and a word document for each scene. I order the scenes by number and give them titles that jog my memory. For each of the unwritten scenes, I write a sentence or two about what needs to happen. If I have any other bits of dialogue or inspiration, I add those as well. I don't always feel like writing sequentially, so if a later scene is calling my name, I just open the file and work on that one. I've noticed that the middle seems to come easier after I write the climax. When I'm stuck, I leave the house and write by hand. Deadlines help. Writer meetings with my awesome critique partners help more.
I'm tagging my awesome critique partner Henry McLaughlin, author of Journey to Riverbend. Henry, an award winning author, writes to bring glory to God and give hope, encouragement and entertainment to his readers. He has honed his craft through courses, conferences, workshops and critique groups. Check out his writing process next week.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
If Something is Worth Doing...
When my oldest kiddo was struggling (read: simultaneously wilting and raging) under the burden of second grade spelling homework, I scheduled a conference with his teacher.
Mrs. Roche and I sat in the tiny plastic chairs at the kidney-shaped laminate table, and I explained that homework was taking us three hours of tears every night. Was there anything I could do besides sitting with Josh and pressing his nose to the grindstone?
Mrs. Roche looked at me like I was crazy. "The assignments should take about twenty minutes. He should be able to do them without you standing over his shoulder."
Here, I simultaneously wilted and raged. "But he won't."
"Then let him fail. Maybe then he will care enough to try."
"But thinking he'll fail is what keeps him from trying now!" I wailed.
Her eyes softened. "Ahhh, is he a perfectionist?"
All of the air left the room. Realization and guilt and relief exploded through me. She understood. I understood. "Yes!" And he inherited it from me.
Then she said something that has changed our lives. "Let's try this: set a timer for twenty minutes, and what he gets done is what I'll grade."
Permission to do less than perfection? Space to do the best he could at the time and not worry about the rest? Was there even such a thing?
How I wish I had had a second grade teacher like Mrs. Roche! Oh the things I have not done because I feared I could not do them perfectly!
I grew up believing if a thing was worth doing, it was worth doing right. I almost gave up on my dream of writing because I am not a person naturally suited to the social interaction that seems to be required in this age of "platform" and "web presence."
However, I've learned, if something is worth doing...
...then, good grief, it is worth doing.
It is worth doing imperfectly,
with what time you can spare,
even if don't think you can do it right,
because...
If something is worth doing,
it is worth doing until you can do it right.
I might never be a good blogger. Social media intimidates me. I cannot afford a professional website, and with seven kids under the age of eleven, time and energy are hard to come by, but...writing is my dream, my gift, and my obedience.
If writing means struggling through the social media/ querying/ marketing learning curves, I will. I worked hard to write until my manuscript was ready, and now I will work hard until my ability to market myself and my work is ready. I will not self-doubt myself into paralysis.
Today I sent my query to three agents I would be thrilled to have represent my manuscript. I stopped the two years of telling myself my timing was not perfect yet that I had been wallowing in since the first (and last) time I sent a query to an agent.
And my query was not perfect. I even caught a typo in the first letter I sent. (Ahhh! Regret. Regret. Regret.) However, I am so glad I sent three imperfect attempts instead of none. And a blog that is a work in progress is better than no blog.
I will get better. Josh did. He rocked his STAAR test and was recently commended for being a hard-working student who goes above and beyond. I trace his success back to that moment when he was first given the freedom to try without the yoke of needing to be perfect.
Mrs. Roche and I sat in the tiny plastic chairs at the kidney-shaped laminate table, and I explained that homework was taking us three hours of tears every night. Was there anything I could do besides sitting with Josh and pressing his nose to the grindstone?
Mrs. Roche looked at me like I was crazy. "The assignments should take about twenty minutes. He should be able to do them without you standing over his shoulder."
Here, I simultaneously wilted and raged. "But he won't."
"Then let him fail. Maybe then he will care enough to try."
"But thinking he'll fail is what keeps him from trying now!" I wailed.
Her eyes softened. "Ahhh, is he a perfectionist?"
All of the air left the room. Realization and guilt and relief exploded through me. She understood. I understood. "Yes!" And he inherited it from me.
Then she said something that has changed our lives. "Let's try this: set a timer for twenty minutes, and what he gets done is what I'll grade."
Permission to do less than perfection? Space to do the best he could at the time and not worry about the rest? Was there even such a thing?
How I wish I had had a second grade teacher like Mrs. Roche! Oh the things I have not done because I feared I could not do them perfectly!
I grew up believing if a thing was worth doing, it was worth doing right. I almost gave up on my dream of writing because I am not a person naturally suited to the social interaction that seems to be required in this age of "platform" and "web presence."
However, I've learned, if something is worth doing...
...then, good grief, it is worth doing.
It is worth doing imperfectly,
with what time you can spare,
even if don't think you can do it right,
because...
If something is worth doing,
it is worth doing until you can do it right.
I might never be a good blogger. Social media intimidates me. I cannot afford a professional website, and with seven kids under the age of eleven, time and energy are hard to come by, but...writing is my dream, my gift, and my obedience.
If writing means struggling through the social media/ querying/ marketing learning curves, I will. I worked hard to write until my manuscript was ready, and now I will work hard until my ability to market myself and my work is ready. I will not self-doubt myself into paralysis.
Today I sent my query to three agents I would be thrilled to have represent my manuscript. I stopped the two years of telling myself my timing was not perfect yet that I had been wallowing in since the first (and last) time I sent a query to an agent.
And my query was not perfect. I even caught a typo in the first letter I sent. (Ahhh! Regret. Regret. Regret.) However, I am so glad I sent three imperfect attempts instead of none. And a blog that is a work in progress is better than no blog.
I will get better. Josh did. He rocked his STAAR test and was recently commended for being a hard-working student who goes above and beyond. I trace his success back to that moment when he was first given the freedom to try without the yoke of needing to be perfect.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Practicing Patience
Today, my stoic self-control is slipping.
In between caring for my three youngest kiddos, conquering Mt. Laundry, and critiquing my writing friends' submissions for tomorrow's meeting, I have checked my email and the websites of the people/ organizations I'm waiting to hear from in regard to my writing...several times.
In my defense, it is past the time I should have heard from one, about the time I should hear from another, and hey, anything's possible with the third.
I could learn the fate of my submissions at any minute!
Literary agent Steve Laube blogged this week about how Writers Expect Good News. He prefers the idea of waiting in anticipation to waiting in expectation, and he's right that there is a difference. The foolish bridesmaids expected the bridegroom; the wise ones anticipated him.
Anticipation is what my favorite season of the year is all about.
No, no, no, not Christmas. ADVENT!
Advent is the season of anticipating Christmas, of preparing for the threefold coming of Christ. We ready ourselves to celebrate the incarnation, appreciate the saving work of Jesus active in the world today, and to wait upon Christ returning in glory.
The anticipating reminds me how special each of these is. As I read the passages about the coming of the Lord, my yearning grows, my heart opens wider to receive him--I become more ready.
Waiting on my fulfillment as a writer gives me the chance to be more ready to receive it, both in terms of being able to appreciate it and being prepared with what I need to achieve it.
And practicing patience is good for us, right? Right? Okay, maybe I'll just check my email one more time...
In between caring for my three youngest kiddos, conquering Mt. Laundry, and critiquing my writing friends' submissions for tomorrow's meeting, I have checked my email and the websites of the people/ organizations I'm waiting to hear from in regard to my writing...several times.
In my defense, it is past the time I should have heard from one, about the time I should hear from another, and hey, anything's possible with the third.
I could learn the fate of my submissions at any minute!
Literary agent Steve Laube blogged this week about how Writers Expect Good News. He prefers the idea of waiting in anticipation to waiting in expectation, and he's right that there is a difference. The foolish bridesmaids expected the bridegroom; the wise ones anticipated him.
Anticipation is what my favorite season of the year is all about.
No, no, no, not Christmas. ADVENT!
Advent is the season of anticipating Christmas, of preparing for the threefold coming of Christ. We ready ourselves to celebrate the incarnation, appreciate the saving work of Jesus active in the world today, and to wait upon Christ returning in glory.
The anticipating reminds me how special each of these is. As I read the passages about the coming of the Lord, my yearning grows, my heart opens wider to receive him--I become more ready.
Waiting on my fulfillment as a writer gives me the chance to be more ready to receive it, both in terms of being able to appreciate it and being prepared with what I need to achieve it.
And practicing patience is good for us, right? Right? Okay, maybe I'll just check my email one more time...
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thankful on Turkey Day
Every year, my family gathers to celebrate my mom's and my favorite holiday. Before we ask a blessing over the food, we hold hands and go around the circle taking turns saying what we're thankful for. This year, I was able to share my gratitude that this was the year one of my dreams came true. I have wanted to write a novel since I was ten years old, and this was the year that happened! Was it Paul who said, "I thank God upon every remembrance of you"? Well, that's how I feel about my novel. I actually ache with happiness that God gave me what I needed to be able to do that. One of my dear critique partners said it made her think about God in a different way. I was so happy I couldn't speak. God is so good to have let me be a part of this.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Thankful Day 15
Today, I am very thankful that I am finally well (, and it looks like everyone else is pretty much well now, too). Hopefully, I had the flu and am now safe for the rest of this flu season!!!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
You know that little rush of pleasure you feel when you catch someone doing the right thing--going out of his or her way to be kind when he or she does not have to--doing something only because it is the right thing?
I've read that fiction is so powerful because it can be more real than reality. Art can demonstrate/ remind us of how things should be. If I ever have the opportunity to teach at a writers' conference, this would be one of the topics I would love to discuss. Art is so powerful. Artists have such great responsibility.
Right now, I'm reading back over Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. The main character, Rand, has three love interests. While I am in Jordan's storyworld, I actually want Rand to end up happily ever after with all three. At the same time! How in the world could I want that?!!!
The power of story.
I have identified with the characters. I want what they want. And therein lies the danger.
We've all cheered when the good guys got what they wanted--when the bad guys got what was coming to them. The danger lies in what writers make the reader want to happen.
I don't have time to discuss the rise of anti-heroes and subjectivism today, but today I'm grateful for the reminder that there is objective good--that people do (cooperating with grace) rise to what God created us to be--and the reminder that I am called to glamorize that in my writing, or to at least make the dissonance between what-is and what-should-be so uncomfortable that readers long for what-should-be. May I always remember that.
I've read that fiction is so powerful because it can be more real than reality. Art can demonstrate/ remind us of how things should be. If I ever have the opportunity to teach at a writers' conference, this would be one of the topics I would love to discuss. Art is so powerful. Artists have such great responsibility.
Right now, I'm reading back over Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. The main character, Rand, has three love interests. While I am in Jordan's storyworld, I actually want Rand to end up happily ever after with all three. At the same time! How in the world could I want that?!!!
The power of story.
I have identified with the characters. I want what they want. And therein lies the danger.
We've all cheered when the good guys got what they wanted--when the bad guys got what was coming to them. The danger lies in what writers make the reader want to happen.
I don't have time to discuss the rise of anti-heroes and subjectivism today, but today I'm grateful for the reminder that there is objective good--that people do (cooperating with grace) rise to what God created us to be--and the reminder that I am called to glamorize that in my writing, or to at least make the dissonance between what-is and what-should-be so uncomfortable that readers long for what-should-be. May I always remember that.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Honestly...
Today, I'm grateful that at least 508 families were spared the pain of abortion during this fall's 40 days for life campaign.
To be honest, I'm also grateful I don't have to do a load of laundry for life today now that the campaign is over. Having in the back of my head that there is something I have to make sure gets done stresses me out. :-) It's a moot point today though, because the Jett and Emberlyn have a stomach bug, and I've already done TWO loads of laundry!
I'm also grateful for the chance to start back to Tae Kwon Do today!
To be honest, I'm also grateful I don't have to do a load of laundry for life today now that the campaign is over. Having in the back of my head that there is something I have to make sure gets done stresses me out. :-) It's a moot point today though, because the Jett and Emberlyn have a stomach bug, and I've already done TWO loads of laundry!
I'm also grateful for the chance to start back to Tae Kwon Do today!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
An Attitude of Gratitude
Fridays are my kind of days. Especially the Fridays when I get to meet with my writers group! I can't tell you how much I appreciate getting to meet with Henry, Diane, and LaWanda (we miss you, LaWanda; we can't wait for you to be back!).In an appreciative frame of mind, it is so easy to find things I'm grateful for:
I'm grateful for the Society of Solitary Scribes!
I'm grateful for wonderful parents-in-law who watch Jack and Emberlyn so I can go meet with the SoSS.
I'm grateful for the coupon that made my delicious IHOP meal cheaper.
I'm grateful for Joren being such a good baby.
I'm grateful for sunbutter (sunflower seed butter) so I can make my allergic-to-nuts husband sunbutter cookies (that taste just like really good peanut butter cookies) to show him I love him and make him happy.
I'm grateful for how making cookies makes me happy because I know I'm good at it.
I'm grateful for being able to appreciate how good being grateful feels. :-)
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Today is November 3rd.
The low today was 36.
Why then do I have a thriving tomato plant?
Why are the bradford pears blossoming and the desperado sage blooming?
Today I am grateful for the reminder that even if frost follows flowers before fruit, in the doing is fulfillment.
The low today was 36.
Why then do I have a thriving tomato plant?
Why are the bradford pears blossoming and the desperado sage blooming?
Today I am grateful for the reminder that even if frost follows flowers before fruit, in the doing is fulfillment.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
NaBlogWriMo
Kariss Lynch, a talented fellow writer I met at last year's NTCW Fiction Mentoring Clinic with DiAnn Mills recently threw down the gauntlet on a National Novel Writing Month-esque challenge: to celebrate thankfulness throughout the month of November by blogging about a reason for gratitude everyday. Yesterday I was thankful my husband's free Freebird's burrito on his fan-niversary. Today, I am thankful for the cute Halloween decorations we still have out and all the fun we had making them as a family.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Laundry for Life
I wish I was more.
More capable, more faithful, more patient, more...you know, better.
It's 40 Days for Life time again, and I'm nursing, so I can't fast. And I'm dealing with the voices that say, "You can't keep up with everything you're supposed to be doing now. Why in the world do you think you can add anything to it?!" And when I reconcile myself to simply doing a daily load of laundry for life like I did in the spring campaign, it's hard to convince myself it's "good enough."
But I know it is. And "good enough" isn't the right words.
I think fasting is a wonderful thing. As you move away from being filled with things of this world, even good things such as food, you can be more open to being filled by God. However, I'm not sure you have to take things away in order to make room for God.
I do laundry because it has to be done--it is NOT my favorite chore--but if I offer my daily struggle with laundry to God, my living sacrifice is sanctified, made holy and acceptable.
Even if I fasted on bread and water for forty days, even if I did a thousand loads of laundry with all the fervency of a thousand saints, it wouldn't be nearly "good enough."
However, God is pleased by the slightest opening of ourselves to Him, the smallest offering of ourselves to Him. So, the load of baby clothes I'm about to wash, done intentionally, will make the next ten minutes of my day holy. How much of the rest of our days can we live intentionally for God?
More capable, more faithful, more patient, more...you know, better.
It's 40 Days for Life time again, and I'm nursing, so I can't fast. And I'm dealing with the voices that say, "You can't keep up with everything you're supposed to be doing now. Why in the world do you think you can add anything to it?!" And when I reconcile myself to simply doing a daily load of laundry for life like I did in the spring campaign, it's hard to convince myself it's "good enough."
But I know it is. And "good enough" isn't the right words.
I think fasting is a wonderful thing. As you move away from being filled with things of this world, even good things such as food, you can be more open to being filled by God. However, I'm not sure you have to take things away in order to make room for God.
I do laundry because it has to be done--it is NOT my favorite chore--but if I offer my daily struggle with laundry to God, my living sacrifice is sanctified, made holy and acceptable.
Even if I fasted on bread and water for forty days, even if I did a thousand loads of laundry with all the fervency of a thousand saints, it wouldn't be nearly "good enough."
However, God is pleased by the slightest opening of ourselves to Him, the smallest offering of ourselves to Him. So, the load of baby clothes I'm about to wash, done intentionally, will make the next ten minutes of my day holy. How much of the rest of our days can we live intentionally for God?
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
With or Without Sugar?
This morning, I was afraid there was a serious problem: my coffee did not taste right.
No, stop laughing. Coffee is serious.
I looked at it. Pale with cream, warming the spoon from the sugar I knew I'd put in, it looked fine.
I tried another sip. Bleh!
I wanted to cry. I wasn't sure I could handle one more thing gone wrong this morning.
Then it struck me. I hadn't stirred. One thing after another had needed my attention, and I had neglected something so basic to the experience of coffee.
The sugar was there the whole time. I just hadn't brought it up to where I needed it.
Then it struck me. I hadn't prayed. One thing after another had needed my attention, and I had neglected something so basic to the experience of life.
The coffee's now gone, but God is near.
No, stop laughing. Coffee is serious.
I looked at it. Pale with cream, warming the spoon from the sugar I knew I'd put in, it looked fine.
I tried another sip. Bleh!
I wanted to cry. I wasn't sure I could handle one more thing gone wrong this morning.
Then it struck me. I hadn't stirred. One thing after another had needed my attention, and I had neglected something so basic to the experience of coffee.
The sugar was there the whole time. I just hadn't brought it up to where I needed it.
Then it struck me. I hadn't prayed. One thing after another had needed my attention, and I had neglected something so basic to the experience of life.
The coffee's now gone, but God is near.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Bathroom Remodel
I'm so happy with all of the progress we've made.
I LOVE the new flooring.
The new baseboards, faucet, sink, vanity, mirror, towel ring, toilet paper holder, and toilet are so nice.
Taking the closet door off and painting and wallpapering that space makes a world of difference in how much wider the room feels.
I LOVE the new flooring.
The new baseboards, faucet, sink, vanity, mirror, towel ring, toilet paper holder, and toilet are so nice.
Taking the closet door off and painting and wallpapering that space makes a world of difference in how much wider the room feels.
(Josh says, "Hi!")
We even made custom baskets for the shelves!
Nana made the curtains. Papa picked out the wood blinds. I found the shower curtains cheap at Sears and Garden Ridge.
The wallpaper was on clearance at Lowes, and I love it. I promise the pink isn't nearly as pink in person. It's more of a red, like in this picture.
There are just a few little things like caulking left to do. I've got some little canvases I'm going to paint and hang on the wall above the toilet, and we're looking for something to go to the right of the mirror to balance the space, but it's so nice to have it mostly done. It started out feeling much too cramped in a lovely but boring shade of cream with damaged cream and gold linoleum.
We even made custom baskets for the shelves!
Nana made the curtains. Papa picked out the wood blinds. I found the shower curtains cheap at Sears and Garden Ridge.
The wallpaper was on clearance at Lowes, and I love it. I promise the pink isn't nearly as pink in person. It's more of a red, like in this picture.
There are just a few little things like caulking left to do. I've got some little canvases I'm going to paint and hang on the wall above the toilet, and we're looking for something to go to the right of the mirror to balance the space, but it's so nice to have it mostly done. It started out feeling much too cramped in a lovely but boring shade of cream with damaged cream and gold linoleum.
Now it's my favorite room in the house.
Grateful
The surgery went well. Now, we just wait on the pathology report. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
I understand the most wonderful and freeing thing now:
God never gives us more than HE can handle.
Entrusted is such a wonderful place to be.
I understand the most wonderful and freeing thing now:
God never gives us more than HE can handle.
Entrusted is such a wonderful place to be.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Need prayers.
I'm having a ?tumor?/ suspicious bump under my nose removed next Thursday. Please pray that the surgery goes well and that Jack and I survive the two days of being unable to breastfeed with minimal misery. Thanks.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Gratitude # 11-20
I've been really remiss in updating this blog. I liked blogging because it was a good warm-up for working on my novel, and I really need to kick working on my novel into high gear. I was hoping to have finished it by the end of February... Yah, not so successful on that.
So, without further ado, I present...
So, without further ado, I present...
Jackson Cole
11. I am grateful for Baby Jack.
12. I am grateful that I'm grateful for Baby Jack, because originally, I was rather dismayed that the next few years would not be proceeding as I had thought they should.
13. I am grateful that Jack was born healthy, weighing in at eleven and a half pounds!
14. I am grateful that the labor was only 2.5 hours and the delivery went pretty much according to plan. (Yay for midwives and birthcenters!)
20. I'm grateful for friends with whom to share the things for which I'm grateful.
15. I am grateful that Jack is an easy, smiley baby.
16. I am grateful that his siblings love him enough to fight over getting to spend time with him.
17. I am grateful that he likes to cuddle and be worn in my carriers.
18. I am grateful that he either sleeps or smiles through Mass.
19. I am grateful for baby smiles.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Gratitude
I've had three people now suggest that I keep a record of things I'm grateful for, so I'm going to give it a try. I really like this quote from John Milton that I found on Ann Voskamp's Gratitude Community blog page: "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendental moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." I think that's very true, so here goes...
I am grateful for:
1. Music and its mood-altering properties.
2. Calendars. I really love calendars.
3. English toffee-flavored instant cappuccino.
4. The ability to recheck library materials online.
5. Comfortable clothing.
6. Jewel-toned colors.
7. Hand-held yahtzee.
8. Trash can liners.
9. Lilac-scented air freshener.
10. Eavesdropping on a little boy's conversation with an imaginary friend.
I am grateful for:
1. Music and its mood-altering properties.
2. Calendars. I really love calendars.
3. English toffee-flavored instant cappuccino.
4. The ability to recheck library materials online.
5. Comfortable clothing.
6. Jewel-toned colors.
7. Hand-held yahtzee.
8. Trash can liners.
9. Lilac-scented air freshener.
10. Eavesdropping on a little boy's conversation with an imaginary friend.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Helping Jesus
Jett loves band-aids. Seriously, the boy got a box of Curious George band-aids for his three year-old birthday in August, because band-aids make him happy.
Yesterday, Jett and I were sitting at the table drinking hot chocolate when he told me, "Jesus loves me, and him have cuts."
I didn't catch the last word, so I said, "Yes, He does love us. He has what? Can you show me?"
He took me out to the play room where we have a picture of Jesus after the Resurrection and pointed to Christ's feet. "Him have cuts. Why?"
I explained to him that when Jesus died for us, He got the "owwies" in His hands and feet.
Jett's eyes lit up. "I want to share my George band-aids with Jesus."
Yesterday, I was having a really hard day. I haven't slept. Josh is sick again. We're having another little boy in February. I'm really not sure how I'm going to handle it all. I have been feeling really inadequate to the tasks set before me.
I've always been a "quiter." When something got hard or uncomfortable, I quit. Piano, violin, choir, colorguard, theatre, Latin--the list goes on... Right now, everything feels too hard and uncomfortable--being a mom, a writer, a Christian--but I can quit. These aren't just things I do; these are things I am.
I was having a panic attack last night. Thomas tried to calm me down, but I kept telling him, "I can't do a good enough job. It's too hard. I don't even want to try anymore."
He basically asked me, "What's a good enough job? You're raising a three year-old who wants to help Jesus, isn't that good enough?"
Jett had the idea of caring for our Lord because he saw Him in need (of George band-aids), and I have hope that as he grows, he will continue to care for "the least of these" in the name of Jesus.
We are the body of Christ. We have our purpose by being His hands or feet or whatever. We don't have to be good enough, or strong enough, or talented enough for whatever task He sets us to, because it is God who is fully capable of accomplishing the task. How cool is it that He wants to use us--broken, inadequate us--to help Him?
Yesterday, Jett and I were sitting at the table drinking hot chocolate when he told me, "Jesus loves me, and him have cuts."
I didn't catch the last word, so I said, "Yes, He does love us. He has what? Can you show me?"
He took me out to the play room where we have a picture of Jesus after the Resurrection and pointed to Christ's feet. "Him have cuts. Why?"
I explained to him that when Jesus died for us, He got the "owwies" in His hands and feet.
Jett's eyes lit up. "I want to share my George band-aids with Jesus."
Yesterday, I was having a really hard day. I haven't slept. Josh is sick again. We're having another little boy in February. I'm really not sure how I'm going to handle it all. I have been feeling really inadequate to the tasks set before me.
I've always been a "quiter." When something got hard or uncomfortable, I quit. Piano, violin, choir, colorguard, theatre, Latin--the list goes on... Right now, everything feels too hard and uncomfortable--being a mom, a writer, a Christian--but I can quit. These aren't just things I do; these are things I am.
I was having a panic attack last night. Thomas tried to calm me down, but I kept telling him, "I can't do a good enough job. It's too hard. I don't even want to try anymore."
He basically asked me, "What's a good enough job? You're raising a three year-old who wants to help Jesus, isn't that good enough?"
Jett had the idea of caring for our Lord because he saw Him in need (of George band-aids), and I have hope that as he grows, he will continue to care for "the least of these" in the name of Jesus.
We are the body of Christ. We have our purpose by being His hands or feet or whatever. We don't have to be good enough, or strong enough, or talented enough for whatever task He sets us to, because it is God who is fully capable of accomplishing the task. How cool is it that He wants to use us--broken, inadequate us--to help Him?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)