Not Forgotten by Susan Tuttle

Susan Tuttle

Today marks a brand new year. For some of us we watched as dreams were realized in 2014, others are wondering if they were forgotten. I get it, believe me I do. The writer’s world is a tough one. But recently while I was lamenting the fact and working on a new story, God drew a parallel for me, and I want to share it.

See, when we write we move things around. Our final draft rarely ever resembles our first draft. For the story to work we need to cut things out and shift other things into position. Sometimes we need to add new elements. And why? Because we want the story to work. All of the painful process; that part that’s grueling work, that part that feels like we’re going backward rather than forward, that part that feels like we’re creating a mess rather than a story, all of that is what produces the glowing finished product.

Well, Hebrews tells us that Jesus is “the author and perfecter of our faith” which means he’s writing our life story. Just like when we write, in our lives there are seasons of shifting, adding, and editing that we need to go through. In those moments when it feels like we’re not making headway, when frustration grows, God is still working. No, we don’t have the finished product in our hands—we might not even be able to see it—but the process of our story is still occurring. Oh, we’d love the end product without the editing process, but it’s the hard work of the editing that makes the story shine.

And just like when we write, we cannot give into the frustration of the moment and give up. Our stories will never make it out there if we quit.

So as you begin this new year, I challenge you to spend time with your Author. To ask what part of the process he has you currently in, for the wisdom to travel through it, and for the strength to continue forward.

Because your dream has not been forgotten; it’s still being written.

****

Susan Tuttle is a homeschooling mom of three who is crazy about coffee, dark chocolate, and words—both reading and writing them. Combine that love of words with her passion for leading women to a life-changing encounter with Christ, and you’ll find her crafting Inspirational Contemporary Romance stories laced with humor, love, and healing transformations. When not cheering on her Ironman hubby, chasing the family dog, or tackling complex math problems to teach her kids (yes, even the third grader), you can catch Susan at her blog, Steps.