And God Inspired Books

In this world of constant attention grabbing and alarm creating social media and news, I am thankful for the solid consistency of books.

When I write books, the words go through a process. The stories are not just thrown together and posted without forethought. Instead, they are vetted by me, my critique partner, my beta reader, and finally my editor.

I thank God for books, especially the book He inspired most. I find myself excited to read the stories in the Bible. David’s Psalms inspire me and give me hope and confidence in God. Luke’s accounts in the book of Acts teach me perseverance and inspiration. The gospels teach the truth of Jesus.

God created words for us to communicate truth, to tell stories, and to learn and share.

Do you have a favorite book? A favorite book of the Bible?

Writer Mouse

Several years ago, a few days after Christmas, I dropped my youngest off to spend a few hours with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. While I waited for her, I visited a coffee shop with my laptop in hand. I’d been fiddling with writing a novel, and on that day I took the plunge and decided to take the possibility of publishing a novel seriously. Before I settled in to write, I spied an after-Christmas sale. The larger mouse you see in the picture caught my eye. I’m not terribly fond of real mice, but the stuffed variety is rather cute.

When I picked the little guy up, I read his tag and found he was called Writer Mouse. Of course I bought him. He’s reminded me to keep writing, ever since. I call him Nutmeg. Some might say I’m silly, but after spending years as a children’s librarian, I developed a good imagination. Plus, I like stuffed animals. (The bear was a gift from friends who encouraged me to write and the little mouse is from Greenville, SC.)

I’m hoping Nutmeg inspires me to write many more stories.

How about you? Do you have a favorite stuffed animal? Or something or someone who reminds you to keep writing?

My Happy Place

Psalm 62:1-2

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Let me tell you about my happy place.

I love my home and hanging out with my family and friends. I enjoy attending church and worshipping with the congregation. But the one place I love to sit and pray, think and listen is miles away from home.

Large rocks rest on the shore of Lake Erie, around Marblehead Lighthouse. We visit the park once or twice a year (more if we can squeeze it in.) After we tour the grounds and maybe climb the lighthouse, we wander to the shore where the water meets the rocks. I ease onto a giant rock and watch the waves slap the moss covered boulders. The seagulls entertain and the sound relaxes every muscle in my body. My mind settles, and I take in the beauty of God's creation.

No matter what season we visit, spring, summer, autumn, or winter, the rocks remain the same. The granite holds me above the ice cold water where I'm safe and secure. Many times I've taken my notebook and pen and written words from the inspiration.

Even as I find refreshment from visiting my happy place, true rest comes from a deeper source. The God I love provides the respite my soul needs. At times I find myself overwhelmed by the love God pours on me. I don't deserve his grace, yet he fills my heart with peace. No matter the circumstances, He's my refuge. He's my fortress in times of trouble, my strength when I need help. He's the peace and joy of my heart.

No matter what we go through, the ups and downs of life. God remains the same. He is the rock who calms my soul.

Do you have a happy place? Somewhere you totally connect with God? If not, find that place. Even when I can't go to my favorite place, the Holy Spirit settles my restless soul with peace and hope.

Life is Not a Checklist

1 Thessalonians 1:3

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I like lists. I have, for as long as I've put pen to paper. On my desk at work, a pad of lined paper rests between me and my computer. I use the notes I jot down to prompt me to complete tasks I've been given. At the top, I've written the typical things I do each week, plus the emergency phone numbers for the college. Under that, I list projects, reminders, social media needs, and anything else I should remember. By the end of the week, I've checked off finished items, made addendums, and recorded new ideas. Without my notes, there's a great chance I'd forget to do something important at work.

As much as I like lists, I can't live my life by checking off boxes. Organization works wonders for a project. But not so much for life. Living life is more about prompts, nudges, crossroads, inspiration, and endurance. Life in Christ includes hope, conviction, the nudgings of the Holy Spirit, opportunities to serve, and unexpected joy. I've seen a cartoon that depicts life in two boxes. What we think life might be, a straight line from point A to point B. Or what life really is, a squiggly line that curves every which way from point A to point B. There have been stretches in my life when I've tried to live off of a check list, trying to get from A to B with the least resistance. Each time God has had other plans.

If you're a parent, take time to play with your kids. If your children are teens, hang out with them. 

If you're married, date your spouse. 

If you're single enjoy the adventure God's given you.   

If you work outside the home, stop and ask your co-worker how their day is going. 

Take the walk, pet the dog, smell the flowers.

My point--God has plans for me. If my head is focused on a list all the time, I'm going to miss out. I want to live like the Thessalonians who were prompted by love and inspired by hope.