God has a unique plan for each of us.
This has been the message I have heard since I was a child. However, I have not always had the confidence I would be ready when He placed this special calling before me.
I have been a writer since I was a pre-teen.
I started by writing in a diary I kept hidden under my mattress. It was not good or even consistent writing, just what I was feeling at the moment.
During one of my harrowing teen years, I took a weekend trip to stay with my grandparents at their cottage on Otisco Lake. I didn’t feel safe at home, and this was my special place. Swaying gently on an old porch swing, I let the ink flow over the pages of my journal, capturing the beauty of the setting sun. I realized then that writing could bring peace to my anxious and troubled mind.
Of course, there were always school papers to complete from September thru June. Oh, so many papers! I was convinced my sophomore English teacher thought we were college students based on the level of work he demanded from us. Yet, it did not take long for me to become thankful for these seemingly impossible expectations as they put me a cut above my peers during my remaining years of high school.
After college, I was more than happy to put any kind of writing on hold for a while. But when life got hard, a pen always seemed to find its way back into my hand. It became a scalpel, performing exploratory surgery on my heart. Writing became a way of processing life. Transcribing thoughts and circumstances allowed me to see and understand them in a new way. Over the last decade, my journals have performed the duties of confidant, counselor, and coach.
Almost eighteen months ago, I found myself asking God what He wanted to do with me at this point in my life.
My family and I had moved back from Haiti, and I had finished our homeschooling journey. With the kids back in public school and Adam at work, I felt it was time for me to start my next adventure with the Lord. After an extended period of time praying, I felt like I had His answer; I needed to write a book.
My initial response was, “Great! Let’s do this!” My very next thought was, “But wait, I am not a writer!” I had never written anything intended for someone else to read since college. Doubt did not delay in filling my head with all of the reasons I would never be a formally published author.
What I couldn’t see at that moment was the realization that God had been preparing me for this assignment for a long time.
Every time I picked up a pen or tapped out words on a keyboard, I was practicing for what was to come. School taught me about the proper order of words and how to convey a clear thought. Journaling taught me about vulnerability and storytelling.
I quickly discovered there is a lot more to publishing a book than just writing one. The number of tasks to accomplish often feels insurmountable. I still battle doubts about my ability to create a finished work anyone would be willing to spend money on. What keeps me going is the confidence in my calling. I know this is the path God has for me. I can see now how He has been laying the groundwork for this assignment all along.
God confirms this in His Word.
Hebrews 13:20-21 says, “Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
God has been preparing each of us for a special calling. Mine is writing. What has God been preparing you to do? Can you look back and see how He has been growing you in a specific area for many years? Do you believe God will take all of this prep work and turn it into something beyond your wildest dreams? Trust Him. Take the next step. He will be right beside you.
Lee Robinson says
Good word. Praying for my next step. I know he will show me in time
robinson.kristin186 says
Agreed! And it will be amazingly designed just for you.
Cherry Fargo says
Yes!! I’m in the process of writing my first book. There’s so much here I can relate to, thanks for sharing!
robinson.kristin186 says
Best wishes on your writing!