How Far Have You Come?

The writing life demands much from a person. You authors know what I mean. Solitude gets old, the blank page screams a bit too loudly, and if you’re lucky, a deadline looms over your head. You then bang your head on the desk. Again.

Recent circumstances have caused me to doubt the writing journey. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing. My nerves are wracked, my brain is dead, and my fingers haven’t seen much action at the keyboard. What’s wrong? I’ve forgotten to remember.

My parents visited my family a few weeks ago, and while at the beach, my mom and I took a long walk. The ocean looked like it went on forever, as did the sandy shoreline. Finally, we decided to turn around and go back. As soon as I looked behind me I said, “Wow, I didn’t realize we had come so far.” That was an epiphany for me.

It’s no surprise that God told the children of Israel repeatedly to “remember”. He didn’t want them to forget all He had done for them, all of His promises and commands. We, like the Israelites, are sheep who often forget where we are or how long it has taken to get there.

Less than two years ago, I embarked on the writing path. I’ve been paid for a newspaper article and a book review. My bookshelf holds two anthologies with my work in them, as well as a Christian newspaper that includes my article. I review for several websites and I receive free books from them and a PR firm to review. Recently, I interviewed an author on my blog and reviewed her book. Tucked away in my files is a completed and edited 5,000-word short story dying for a market.

Whoa. When I take time to remember, I see how far I’ve come. Yes, God is the reason I accomplish anything. He has allowed me a measure of success and fulfillment. I’ve gone from nothing to something. No, I haven’t started my novel yet, but I’m having a blast trying. Sort of.

Are you in the same boat, oars flailing and thinking you’re getting nowhere fast? Remember what God has done for you so far. I’ll bet it’s more than you think. Give your concerns to Him and He will take care of them all.