Patience is a virtue, and there are reasons why. We want things to happen our way and in our own time. It’s
difficult when answers don’t come fast enough or we’re expected to delay
gratification. So, today
on Seriously Write, author Mary L.
Hamilton shares personal experiences and tips to help us survive times
of waiting. ~ Dawn
Are
You Waiting …
Is anyone out there good at waiting? I know I’m not. I can
really identify with Abraham and Sarah trying to bring about God’s promise of a
son through their own efforts. They waited 25 years to see God’s promise come
true. There must have been times when they wondered if they’d misunderstood or
if God had forgotten. Maybe He changed his mind.
I marvel at the patience of this Old Testament couple. The
few years I waited before seeing my book published seemed endless.
Discouragement and loss of hope are constant battles when our longings continue
on and on, unfulfilled. And as Sarah discovered, the success of others around
us can be a source of irritation rather than a reason to celebrate as we wait,
and wait, and wait. Not that we wish away their success, but it stabs at our
doubts. Will I ever be published? Will I ever get to open a box full of books
with my name on the cover?
Over and over on my writing journey, I asked myself, Who am I writing for? Whose book is this?
From the beginning, I devoted this novel—my first—to God. It was a story I felt
compelled to write, a story that needed my unique life experiences. But I
determined to give it all over to Him. If He wanted it written, He’d provide
the words. If He wanted it published, He’d accomplish it.
But oh, the waiting was hard! Especially when other writing
friends received contracts and saw their books published. Especially when Doubt
whispered in my ear. When Discouragement invaded my heart. When another door
closed on my manuscript.
I discovered the best thing to do while waiting is to write
something else. Do a blog. Start another story. Get excited about another idea,
another plot, because one day the weeks and months and years of waiting will be
over. And like Sarah, the day will come when you will laugh and carry in your
arms your very own box of books with your name on the cover.
Tweetables:
Is anyone out
there good at waiting? Click to tweet.
The best thing
to do while waiting to get published is to write something else. Click to tweet.
If God wants it
written, He’ll provide the words. Click to tweet.
Summer
camp is no fun for Brady McCaul. The camp bully targets him with cruel taunts
and teasing, and flips his canoe to keep him from winning the race. But worst
of all, Brady’s mom won’t let him come home. She doesn’t want him living with
her anymore. Does anyone, even God, care about him?
Can
Brady figure out what he did to earn Mom’s rejection and change her mind by
week’s end? Or will he have to live with his workaholic dad, the guy who left
when Brady was seven?
All
seems lost until a surprising secret changes everything.
Mary L. Hamilton
is an award-winning author whose debut novel released in 2013. Mary grew up at
a camp much like the setting for her Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series. She hates
waiting but loves the outdoors and nature, as well as opening her home to youth
Bible studies, pancake suppers and breakfast with her special recipe waffles.
She and her husband live near Houston, TX, within range of her three grown
children.
Connect with Mary:
Website/blog: http://www.maryhamiltonbooks.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/maryhamiltonbooks
Twitter: @mhamilton122
