Steak or Pasta?

Do you ever go out to dinner with your spouse or other loved ones and try to decide which restaurant? My husband and I go through this decision-making process every time. 

Occasionally, one of us has a specific desire. “I am definitely in the mood for meat and potatoes.”

Most times, the conversation goes like this.

Him: Where do you want to go?

Me: I don’t know. Where do you want to go?

Him: I’ll go wherever you want to go.

Me: Well, steak or pasta?

Him: Whatever you want.

Me: You don’t have a preference?

Him: No. You decide.

I could switch the conversation and start with me, and the conversation would be identical! Whether we choose steak or pasta, is there a wrong decision?

Of course not.

Too often, those of us who truly want to please the Lord, end up in a similar conversation with Him. We ask Him what His will is for a particular situation. Sometimes, we get a specific answer. Other times, He seems silent. There’s a fork in the road, we don’t know which way to go, and He says…nothing.

When those times happen, I assume He’s leaving it up to me. I’ve prayed earnestly, sought His advice, and the choice remains before me. Whether I choose the left fork or the right, He’s okay with it, and it doesn’t change His overall plan for me one iota. There is no wrong decision.

As writers, we agonize over which story idea we should pursue. Sometimes, we pray and ask for direction, and God leads us definitely toward one of the ideas. Other times, we receive no guidance in response to our request.

 Let’s accept that lack of response as God saying, “Whatever you want.”

Go for the idea that appeals to you the most. God is behind you! He’ll give you inspiration. Ideas will overflow. Dialogue will come alive. Is there a wrong decision?

Of course not.

 Linda Sammaritan writes realistic fiction, mostly for kids ages ten to fourteen. She is currently working on a middle grade trilogy, World Without Sound, based on her own experiences growing up with a deaf sister.

Linda had always figured she’d teach middle-graders until school authorities presented her with a retirement wheelchair at the overripe age of eighty-five. However, God changed those plans when He gave her a growing passion for writing fiction. In May of 2016, she blew goodbye kisses to her students and dedicated her work hours to learning the craft. She still visits the school and teaches creative writing workshops.

Where Linda can be found on the web: www.lindasammaritan.com                                                              www.scriblerians.com                                                                      www.thescriblerians.wordpress.com                                                www.puttingonthenew.com                                                        www.facebook.com/lindasammaritan                                              www.twitter.com/LindaSammaritan