Today–and yesterday–have been the kind of days when I feel like my cup runneth over. There’s been nothing spectacular, but I’ve been extremely aware of the blessings in my life. One of my favorite old hymns is “Count Your Blessings.” I hope you’ll indulge me a little counting, one by one.
I’m praising God for the gift of waiting. This is a little bit like praising Him for mosquitoes, but follow me here. We heard from the publisher who’s interested in On the Threshold. The fantastic news is that they still are very interested; the waiting part comes from the financial crunch many businesses in our economy are currently feeling. Their fiscal year runs from Oct-Sept, so they want to wait for the new budget’s release before seeing which projects they can move forward on.
I get this. Am I more likely to go to the movies on Thursday night when the bank account is low or on Friday night post-paycheck? Doesn’t matter how great the movie is!
There is a joy in trusting God longer without knowing the ultimate result, a joy in not being rejected, a joy in the plot twist of this journey.
I’m praising God because I will never complete all my projects. What? It’s a good thing I’ll never cross everything off my to-do list? Yes; it means I’m still alive. 🙂 God has filled my mind with so many ideas, so many projects to write, I have no fear of ever finishing this job. At this time in my life, He’s also blessed me with interest from professionals in EVERY single project. What a gift!
I’m praising God because He’s shown me how weak I am. I’m pulling this from an email I sent to an editor friend:
I know there are no contract offers yet, but doors seem to be flinging open all around me. And here it happens when I’m tired and busy all the time from the foster children. That shows, though, that it IS all God, and me just doing my part.
I’m really going to pray about taking anymore kids after these little ones leave. Oh, it conflicts me to even write that! I’ve loved the majority of it, and what it stands for. I guess it’s the frustrating times when I forget I’m doing it for Jesus and bemoan the loss of my easy life. I was talking to a friend today about how kids always teach us more about ourselves than we want to learn.
“I thought my patience had grown over the years,” I said.
“No, it was your kids that grew and your patience that stayed the same!” LOL
I’m praising God for my family and friends. My mother and I had such a sweet time yesterday and today. We worked together planning a deck party for those true and dear friends who risked their very lives in slippery mud to move our hot tub into place months ago. (Well, some of them looked like they were about to die!)
Mom and I shared emails of encouragement we’d received from friends, joy over the news about my solo book going to committee, plans for our new writing year when the children begin school, and lots of hugs. I think this is amazing because we live together. We see each other every day. But we don’t get tired of each other!
Tonight I had such a nice time with the “hot tub” friends. Yummy food. Twinkling lights strung around the deck, across the pool. Crickets singing. Foster boys having fun, enjoying all the attention. My kids having one of those classic summer evenings, the kind we all look back on with nostalgia. My husband standing at the grill.
Can you tell how full my heart is? I’m praising God for all my blessings, and that includes you!
Hi Christina –
I’m so glad the publishers took time to explain the delay. What a gift! IMHO, this shows they’re really interested and worried you’re going to find someone else.
Years ago, the song you mentioned was the theme of a blind radio preacher. I can still hear him singing in my head. When we’re counting our blessings, we’re not dwelling on the negatives of life.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Congratulations, Christina. What an exciting time. Thanks for sharing your blessings and reasons to praise God. We do have MUCH to thank Him for.
And time with your mother. Boy, that’s the greatest of them all.
I LOVE reading your posts. You’re meant to write, girl! Where ever the Lord takes you from here, I know you’ll put His will above your own. Your heart is in the right spot. You are a good witness to the rest of us. Keep it up!
I praise God for you! And yer mum. And your awesome fam.
I MISS YOU GUYS!!!
I praise God that one of these days soon we’ll be together forever and ever and ever … and we’ll never have to say, “Gotta go.” Know what I mean?? : )
It’s been awhile since I’ve been here to check up on ya. Won’t be so long from now on. Promise.
Have fun at ACFW!!!
love you
donna