We Interrupt to Bring You This Important Message

by Rachael Phillips

You’ve never been interrupted in the middle of a writing session, have you?

You’ve never experienced a spouse’s announcement of the dire lack of his favorite toothpaste. The outbreak of head lice or equally pestilent math homework in your daughter’s class. The phone call from a distant relative—only, not distant enough—who imprisons you for an hour with pleadings for a) money b) sympathy c) more money d) more sympathy and e) all of the above.

Right.

If you haven’t been interrupted, may I move in with you? I’m dying to see what it’s like.

I bet I will—die, not move in with you—before I experience a writing session or project without some sort of disruption. 

Still, why should this surprise me? After all, people interrupted Jesus’ work, whining at His elbow, yanking on His robe, tearing off roofs (at least, my grandchildren haven’t tried that yet). 

I certainly do not rate above the Master Author, who has written His love on the lives of so many and has imprinted His love on our hearts.

Yes, we can and should eliminate as many secondary distractions as we can in order to follow the calling God has given us. We may have to sacrifice membership in the Lacrosse Preservation League or the Church Carpet Committee. We may even have to say “no” to excellent causes and defy our personal Guiltzilla, who stalks us every time we don’t sign our names on someone else’s dotted line. Occasionally, changes in our phone numbers, Facebook screenings or front door locks are absolutely necessary. Our mates may even have to [*gasp*] buy their favorite toothpaste without our assistance.

Sometimes, though, opportunities appear, disguised as interruptions. 

A child who is struggling in school—and the fact his mother lives a thousand miles away.

An aged parent who slogs our brains and patience with endlessly repeated stories well past their expiration date. 

Fun friends who contract awful diseases.

Opportunities.

Opportunities offered by God to stretch, to share and help absorb the pain—and to feed it in a redeemed form into our writing.

So we can interrupt others’ lives with the enriched messages He has given us. 

What about you? What “interruption” has God sent you lately?

Goal Setting for Dream Getting, Part II

by Mary Allen

If you’re going to arrive on this writing journey you have to stop taking guilt trips.

Are these goals or a list of failures?

“Kids, every night we're going to have devotions.”

“I’m going to lose ten pounds before Memorial Day.”

“I will write every day.”

“This year I’ll be published.”

There isn't a person reading this who hasn't failed to reach a goal they've set. How do you keep from taking a detour of guilt or getting permanently lost when you fall short of the goal?

Unmask the Lone Ranger. Life is more difficult when you try to do it in your own strength. Enlist friends who think you are a genius because you can put words together. Find new friends at ACFW loops and conferences who are also putting their writing lives in order. They can keep goals fun and in focus when accountability or encouragement is needed.

There are people who think everybody is a best friend and others who struggle all their life to connect with even one person. Learn to work with your personality, but stretch yourself. Remember, Jesus formed a network of supporters here on earth and He is that friend who is closer than a brother.

Keep it Simple. If you try to regulate your entire life all at once you are doomed to fail. Even our Heavenly Father doesn’t expect instant perfection from us. After coming into relationship with Him, He gives us His Spirit to guide us and show us bit by bit, step by step where we have to go and what we have to do. Follow His example. Pick one writing goal and work on that.

Try, again. You can’t fail unless you stop trying. I once met a woman who wiped tears from her eyes as she said, “I can’t NOT write poetry. I create while I bathe the kids, work at the factory, or golf with my husband. I HAVE to write poetry.” Part of her creativity came from her emotion but notice how she integrated her desire into her life.

As I said last month, God has placed a dream inside of each of us. He’s created unique gifts and talents and has a special plan for how, where, and when they are to be used in the tapestry of life. Whatever that dream is, it may seem too big to be true, yet you can’t shake the feeling you should do it. Don’t be afraid of the dream. Work toward it by doing today’s part today.

Accept Life. If you fall short of a goal it’s okay to grieve over it—for awhile. Then, pick yourself up and begin again. Recognize the difference between what is your responsibility and what is out of your control. Most insurance companies won’t pay for an act of God or war. Why should you feel liable?

Guilt is an energy-zapper and creativity-killer. If the goal road is barricaded, you can wait or choose another path. Just remember, there are no gold medals for guilt.

What is your worst guilt trip? How did you get back on the right road?