Monday, August 19, 2019

There's Always Going to be Something by Patty Nicholas

I was having a conversation with my fiancé about the challenges of writing when he asked me, as a widow and a writer, what I found more difficult, coming home to an empty house and using only my imagination, or re-awakening experiences with a new love? I had to think about my answer before I spoke.

I explained that my imagination was always on overdrive and my need to be creative did not change from one season of life to the next. No, what I found most difficult at the moment was balancing between getting to know our respective families, working full time, and wedding planning and I’m struggling to find time to write. He assured me that this was a short season of extreme busyness, and that things would calm down after we were married and settled into our new life together. I, on the other hand said, “No, there is always going to be something.”

Each season of life brings unique challenges. Young mothers, my hat’s off to you. I can remember thinking that I would never know what a good night sleep felt like. Parents of teens have endless school and athletic activities. On the other side of the spectrum, I know several friends who are taking care of aging parents or have major struggles with their own health.

You see, the enemy wants to keep us busy and distracted so we won’t fulfill the tasks that God has given each of us. He can’t take away our salvation, but he’s pretty busy trying to rob us of our message and calling, if we let him. No matter the challenge, if God has given you a message to share, and words in your heart, rest assured He will equip you to meet that challenge.

if God has given you a message to share, and words in your heart, rest assured He will equip you to meet that challenge.

As I write these words, I’m speaking to slightly overwhelmed, stressed, self. It is a good reminder to take a minute at the start of each day and give my schedule to God and ask Him to be in control of calendar. Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NASB) What a sweet reminder to put my trust in Jesus, not only in the big things of life, but in little things too.

Things like word count, and deadlines are important, but this is a good gentle nudge to look to Jesus to guide the day, and do not let the enemy rob me of any joy of my journey authorhood. Don’t let him rob you either today.

Multi award winning writer, Patty Nicholas lives in the mountains of North Carolina. She is a busy event planner for the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove, and is a member of the Blue Ridge Writers Group. She is a mother of two grown daughters and grandmother of three. She writes Bible studies and devotionals as well as contemporary romance.

Devotions are published in compilations by Lighthouse Bible Studies.
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