 |
| Laura V. Hilton |
Back in the day when I first dreamed of getting an agent and getting published, it seemed an insurmountable effort. I had to wait—wait for an agent to believe in me enough to sign me. Wait for a publisher to like my story—and then wait while they took it to committee to decide if it will be a good fit for their publishing company. So many times, my hopes rose—just to crash face first in the dirt.
Now, it isn’t such a big deal. A publisher doesn’t want your book? Self-publish. You have control of everything. Or maybe a publisher does want your book, but you love absolute control. Or maybe… the genre you write isn’t what publishers are buying. They loved your previous books, your fans are clamoring for more, but the publisher doesn’t want to take the risk.
For those of us who want our books traditionally published, it is difficult to wait on the Lord. To wait on the publisher. Yet so often we must do this for our stories. Sometimes we must be patient while we seek the Lord’s guidance about whether to continue seeking traditional publishing or to self-publish.
I’ve looked for some insights about patiently waiting on the Lord. Maybe they’ll encourage you…
“Patience means living out the belief that God orders everything for the spiritual good of His children.” – J. I. Packer
“Grin and bear it is old-fashioned advice, but sing and bear it is a great deal better.” – Charles H. Spurgeon
“Patience does not just grin and bear things, stoic-like, but accepts them cheerfully as therapeutic workouts planned by a heavenly trainer who is resolved to get you up to full fitness.” – J. I. Packer
“Are we prepared to take the awful patient ways of God? We must not be infected by the world’s valuation of either speed or success.” – John B. Phillips
“The trouble is that I’m in a hurry, But God isn’t.” – Phillips Brooks, Boston Pastor
“I’m extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.” – Margaret Thatcher
“Patience and passage of time do more than strength and fury.” – Jean De La Fontaine, Poet
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” – Leo Tolstroy, Novelist
“Our patience will achieve more than our force.” – Edmund Burke
“With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.” – Chinese proverb
“Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” – Psalm 27:14Are you waiting on something? Are you tired of waiting?
While you wait, apply meaningful waiting . . . spend time in prayer, talk with mentors about the situation, meditate on scripture, start a NEW project while you wait on answers to the current one . . .
 |
| About the Author |
Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard in April 2015, and The Bird House in September 2015. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.
Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
 |
| The Postcard by Laura V. Hilton |
The Postcard (from Promised to Another)
David Lapp survived a “code blue” when he was in a buggy/semi truck accident in Seymour, Missouri. Now after extensive therapy he has lingering mobility problems and is still struggling to find his place in the world. Lured away from Webster County by thoughts of closed buggies and a postcard friendship he’s developed with an Amish girl in Jamesport, he moves north, hoping for a fresh start. He finds work in the area tying flies and basket weaving, selling his products in the Amish markets in the Jamesport area.
Rachel Miller dreams of travel, but feels tied to her Amish life. She is being courted by Obadiah Graber, but wonders if there’s more to life. When she sees David’s name mentioned in The Budget, she strikes up a pen pal friendship with David while he’s in the hospital and in therapy, consoling him when he and his girlfriend part ways. She never dreams that David will come north and move into her community. David is still fearful in the buggy, especially in high traffic areas. Feeling he’s called by God to preach, David spends hours in the Bible, but the Amish discourage him, believing their ministers should be drawn by lot. Will David follow his call, even if it takes him out of the Amish church? Will Rachel realize her dream to travel?
