Wednesday, September 8, 2010

This is Barbara Phinney, blogging about the year of the rejection. It's kind of like a Chinese new year, but without the assigned animal.Yes, as you can imagine, I've received a few rejections. So I have done what every writer worth her mettle does. I keep on writing. And worrying. With two children in college and a husband just laid off, and the heating system needing an overhaul, you can imagine how much I'd like another contract.
But I've also experienced something else.
I was given a lovely daily devotional, and in it, on the first day I sat down outside to read it over a cup of coffee, it read,
"See not the small trials of each hour..."
The next day, it read,
"Trust in me absolutely."
Then, today, whilst at our church school helping out, our devotional was in John 15, but instead, my eyes fell onto John 14:27:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
So, do you think God's trying to tell me something?Yeah, I do, too. God usually needs a bolt of lightning to get my attention, but this is less painful, I think.
So I've tried to set my worries aside. But one question remains. Do I sit and wait for something miraculous to happen? Do I wait like that fool in the flood, sitting atop his house as rescuers pass by, and declining all of them?
I am still writing. I am still submitting, but I know it will be in God's time. I know that He will see me through this rough patch. And of course, I would like to know the plans He has for me.
But trust, that one thing around which most of our stories are centered, is something I'm learning.
Have any of you seen God telling you something? Have you had to sit back and wait? How long have you had to wait?
I'm praying that your day is filled with peace, trust and love, all from God.Barbara Phinney

3 comments:

Dana Corbit said...

Barbara, it sounds as if you're doing everything right. Just write and trust that God is in control. We've all walked those difficult roads in this business, and as long as you don't let yourself fall completely into one of the potholes, you'll get rolling again. :)

Mystery and Mayhem said...

Thank you Dana, April. It's hardly ever fast enough, is it? And it's tough to keep going some days. But God doesn't give us these days without a reason. though I have to admit that it would be nice to be 'in the know'!!

Mystery and Mayhem said...

I'm so blessed to have friends like all of you. You are such an encouragement to me. Thank you so much!