Thursdays – Dawn’s Devotions for Writers“Your beginnings will seem humble,
so prosperous will your future be.” (Job 8:7 NIV)
What descriptions come to mind about car salesmen—especially used car salesmen? Sleezy? Dishonest?
I thought that way for years. Then I was placed in a situation where I needed to find a job. One opportunity after another fell through, and I found myself applying for a position at a large dealership. I couldn’t believe it. Me! Working there? But, the management wanted to hire me. Out of desperation, I took the position helping with customer service and administrative responsibilities, believing that I’d get out sooner than later.
I did eventually move on to another job—nine years later! But what I learned during my stay was invaluable in terms of people and interacting with them. For instance, most people in the car business are not dishonest. They’re just hardworking individuals wanting to provide for their families, while doing the best they can to serve their customers. They worry about bills, sick kids, and getting to school functions. They bleed just like everyone else.
I think misperceptions can also occur when viewing successful authors.
Before I got serious about writing and joined the "publishing world,” it was easy for me to think that in order to be published, you had to be exceptionally gifted and “special.” I put favorite authors on pedestals. I envisioned them spending lazy mornings in a cottage at the ocean, writing only when inspiration hit. I didn't know how hard writers work at their craft. I never dreamed of speaking to published authors, let alone calling them friends.
Once again, my perceptions were so wrong. Authors, agents, and editors are just people. They’re hardworking individuals wanting to provide for their families, while doing the best they can to serve God and their readers. They worry about bills, sick kids, and getting to school functions. They bleed just like everyone else.
And that cottage at the ocean? That may happen on rare occasions, but most of the time, we’re all pounding away on our computers in our home offices, at the kitchen table, and in coffee shops. And today, I’m happy and honored to call some of my favorite authors friends.
The point? Don’t feel less than another writer. Don’t worry that because you’re using a worn out laptop with an old version of Word that you can’t create a good story. Don’t believe that because your work has been rejected 101 times that it’s pointless to try again. Don’t ever think that God can’t use your passion for writing to bless others and make an impact in their lives.
People are people no matter how big or small—how young or old. No one is better than the next person. God can use us all.
Dawn
