2020-The Year Anything is Possible by Sally Shupe

I’ve been thinking back over the year, and what’s happened, and have come to the conclusion, anything is possible this year! From the pandemic that shut everything down to murder hornets to a super storm named after me 😊 we’ve seen it all. It is so easy to get caught up in all the storms around us. But in the midst of the storms, the pandemic, the rough patches of our lives, God is still there. What we choose to do with our time, is our choice. What have you chosen to focus on this year?

At first, I was focused on figuring out how to work from home. I’ll admit, it took me a while to get adjusted. If you’ve got kids at home, home schooling was a big adjustment.

But the other day, I was in a Zoom meeting, and it changed my perspective. I had hope again, a change in focus. We had planned a trip to see our son and his wife. My colleague stated that except for COVID, we probably would not have planned as long a trip. She was so right! In normal times, I would have taken just enough time off to stay a few days and rush right back. I would not have slowed down or even thought about taking a little more time to enjoy my stay. That opened my eyes. What other things had changed or happened over the course of the year that I hadn’t really paid attention to?

Two events stick out in my mind. We had to put two of our pets to sleep over the summer-- Our 14-year-old Jack Russell, Pumpkin, and our 22-year-old cat, Sassy. But then I got to thinking. Since I was working from home, I was able to spend so much time with them. I still miss them so much, but I’m so thankful for the extra time I had with them. I’ve also been eating better. Since I’m at home, I’m able to prepare healthier lunches and snacks. I’ve been exercising more. Not having the commute back and forth gave me extra time. And let’s not forget having to learn Zoom and other computer programs! What are some things you’ve had to adjust to or struggled with?

How many of you attended virtual writing conferences? I got to attend three or four writing conferences, since they were being offered online. They were awesome and I learned so much. I submitted work to a couple of contests for the feedback. Thinking back over the year, I accomplished so much more than I thought I would or did.

What are some things that you’ve experienced over the past year that you’re thankful for? Did you make it through each day? Did you get that one room cleaned out? Did you start or finish a story? Did you submit a story or get published? Think on these things. Let’s not get mired down in the disappointments, the uncertainty. Let’s be thankful, rejoiceful, cheerful. Share a smile and a word of encouragement with the next person you meet. If you’ve struggled through this year and can’t believe it isn’t at least 2022 already, it’s okay. God hasn’t forsaken us. He gives us strength to face each day. If you’ve thrived during this time at home, that is great also. Let’s finish this year strong. What is one thing you’d like to accomplish before this year is over? Share below so we can encourage one another. Let’s make 2020 the year anything is possible. Reach for your dreams!

Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband, has two grown kids-a daughter still at home and a son not-so nearby, and a whole bunch of pets: four dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She is an aspiring Christian author of small town contemporary inspirational romance, with two completed manuscripts and several more in progress.

When Sally’s not writing or working full-time, she is a freelance editor for several authors who write fiction and nonfiction; students working on dissertation papers; a copy editor/content editor for several e-book publishing companies; performs beta reading for various authors; publishes book reviews; is a member of ACFW; and loves genealogy, running, and crocheting.

Sally publishes weekly blog posts that can be found through her website: https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/, and she posts on the first Thursday of the month at https://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com

Not the Right Time Yet by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Last May, as my husband and I drove north through Alabama to attend a writing conference, we looked for blossoming mimosa trees. We do this every time we drive on Interstate 85. We were disappointed and surprised to find fewer than usual trees with blooms.

On our return trip home the following week we spotted tree after beautiful tree full of blossoms. We tried to figure out what may have caused the lack blooms the week before. Not enough rain. Too much rain. Colder than normal winter. Warmer than normal winter. We're not horticulturists, so have no idea for the delayed blossoms. We settled for the fact it simply was not the right time for the trees to bloom yet.

Having spent the previous week with over three hundred writers, I couldn't help make the comparison between those mimosa trees and those of us who write.

We're all on different journeys. We don't achieve our goals, don't blossom, at the same time. Some of us bloom earlier. Some bloom later. Some of our dreams are achieved earlier. Some are achieved later. Some of us have a profusion of blossoms on our tree. Others don't have as many.

Even if our trees lack blossoms, that does not negate the beauty of our tree. No matter how successful or unsuccessful our lives may appear to others, or to ourselves, our lives continue to be beautiful when we offer them for our Creator God's purposes.

I've found when hopes or dreams are delayed, some people think they must know the exact reason for the delay. They theorize the reason for the delay is too much this. Not enough that. When honestly, in much the same way my husband and I theorized about the mimosa blooms, they don't have the slightest idea. And don't need one.

It's just not the right time yet.

The One who told the moon when to shine and the sun when to sleep, told the sea it could only come so far and no further, placed the stars in the heavens and the bars around Orion knows when our not the right time yet will turn into it's time now. The same way God told the blossoms on the mimosa trees that lines I-85 when it was time to bloom, he knows when it is time for our dreams to blossom.

As we wait for whatever dream we hold in our heart, perhaps we should remember the mimosas that bloom at God's appointed time and not one moment sooner.

Is there a dream you're waiting on to bloom?

Sandy Kirby Quandt is a freelance writer and follower of Jesus with a passion for history and travel. Passions that often weave their way into her stories and articles. She writes numerous articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children publications both print and online including Christian Devotions and Inspire a Fire. Her devotions appear in two Worthy Publishing compilation books; So God Made a Dog and Let the Earth Rejoice. Sandy won several awards for writing including the 85th and 86th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition in the Young Adult category, First Place in the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Children’s Literature 2016 Foundation Awards, First Place in the 2017 Foundation Awards in the Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Flash Fiction categories. Looking for words of encouragement or gluten-free recipes? Then check out her blog, Woven and Spun.
twitter.com/SandyKQuandt

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.

Castles, Gratefulness and Why You Might Kiss Your Carpet by Holley Gerth

Holley Gerth

My heart has been so blessed to follow Holley Gerth for almost a year now and I wanted to share her encouragement with you. I was so thrilled when she agreed to let me re-post this wonderful piece about dreams and gratefulness on Seriously Write. Be sure to follow the links to Holley's website and don't forget to subscribe to her newsletter so you can smile every day, too. ~ Angie

Every little girl grows up dreaming about living in a castle. So as I flip through channels and find a home tour in a renovated castle I pause for a moment. It’s gorgeous–high walls, timeless floors, winding staircases. The hostess explains a local architect and his wife have brought new life to this old place. The wife nods and then replies, “Would you like to see a picture of it before we began?”

What she shows the camera next almost jolts me out of my seat. It’s nothing but ruins. No roof. No windows. Just jagged pieces of wall stretching into the sky.

I shake my head in wonder. How did they even have a vision for what that place could be?

Just seconds ago I thought, “It would be really cool to live in a place like that someday.” Now I take it all back. No way would I be willing to do that much work. I landed on the “happily after” part of that castle’s story and completely missed how arduous the process had been to get there.

I thought about how I often do the same in other ways. I look at an area of another woman’s life that I admire – maybe a talent, skill, strength or dream that has come true – and I think, “It would be really cool to live in a place like that someday.”

But I don’t see the whole picture. I don’t know how much renovation happened in her life to get her there. I don’t have the back story that shows God gets all the glory. I haven’t counted the tears or uncovered the cost along the way.

"You are loved. God has a purpose for you.
He is working out his plans for your life."
- quote and graphic by Holley Gerth

Jon Acuff shared, “Never compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”

I’d take it one step beyond that and say, “Never compare your middle to someone else’s happy ending.”

And know that if we’re longing for someone else’s “castle” we’re also asking for all the effort, energy and emotion it took for that to be built in their lives. Do we really know what we’re asking for?

Writer Kathryn Stockett received 60 rejection letters before a publisher accepted The Help, which became a runaway best-seller and popular movie.

Olympic athletes train in obscurity and make significant sacrifices just for one shot at seeing their dream come true.

The Apostle Paul experienced being beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned and more in order to fulfill his calling.

By the time the television segment on that renovated castle finished I felt ready to kiss my carpet.

I had a new appreciation for my realities.

So next time we see a “castle” in someone else’s life that’s complete let’s close our eyes for a moment and try to imagine not just what could be but what may have already been. And then take a moment to thank God for being wise enough not to give us everything we think we want–and all that comes with it.

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Never compare your middle to someone else’s happy ending.
I landed on “happily after” & completely missed the process to get there.
You're loved. God has a purpose for you. He's working out his plans for your life.

About the Author

Holley Gerth 
"I’ve loved Jesus, words and ideas ever since I was a little girl in my grandparents’ bookstore, where I curled up with stacks of books tall enough to touch the sky. God grew the dreams He planted in my heart and I served as a writer and editorial director for DaySpring for over a decade. Then He led me in a new direction and I’m now the best-selling author of You’re Already Amazing as well as several other books with Revell."

Connect with Holley
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/HolleyGerthPage
Twitter - http://twitter.com/HolleyGerth
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/holleygerth/

You're Going to Be Okay
by Holley Gerth

You're Going to be Okay
You really are going to be okay. And it truly is possible to live with joy, resilience, and strength no matter what life brings. Yes, there will be hurt and hard times. But God wants to help you find ways to survive, grow stronger, and even thrive--no matter what happens. For every woman who has been disappointed, who has watched a dream disappear, whose life isn't what she imagined it would be, bestselling author Holley Gerth has a heartfelt message of hope.

With her trademark positive encouragement and probing questions for self-reflection, Holley encourages women to spend less of their lives regretting and more of their lives truly living. She shows them how to guard their hearts against despair and look to the future with confidence, remembering that they are part of a greater plan and nothing can stop God's purposes for them.

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD.com, DaySpring, Givington’s, Family Christian, LifeWay

Persistence...Does It Payoff? by Dora Hiers

Image courtesy of Bing.com

Soon after we married, my husband and I began praying for different jobs so we could leave Florida. The constant ninety degree temperatures left me fatigued, and both of us longed for cooler climates. We prayed. And prayed. God told us no...for twenty years.

We'd walk in the evenings, sweat dripping down our necks and backs, sharing our dreams, and talking about where we might live. Sometimes when we felt particularly discouraged, when it didn't feel that God was listening to our prayers, He'd open up a door. An interview, just enough encouragement to keep us knocking on heaven's gate.

In 2007, God finally called us into our promised land, North Carolina, a land flowing with milk and hon...er, seasons. Where trees bud and leaves flutter softly to the ground in a gentle breeze. Where we could tug on sweaters and long pants, instead of the usual shorts and flip flops. Where we learned to appreciate snow and four-wheel drive.

What if we'd given up praying for our dream? Would God have given up on us? No. But He might not have blessed us so abundantly. He moved us smack into the middle of NASCAR country! Hubby thinks he's already in heaven!

Jesus shared the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, instructing us to "always pray and not give up" and that God wants to bring justice to His chosen ones, the ones who cry out to Him continually.

Many of us started writing with only our dreams. Years stretch into decades, and as we walk the path, sweat drips down our backs. We're fatigued, worn out from sending queries and proposals, and the constant rejections seem to be the only answer to our prayers.

What does God call us to do?

I believe He gave us our marching orders.

Pray. Pray. Pray. Don't give up. Cry out to Him continually.

What if your promised land is right around the next query letter?

What about you? 
Are you weary from the long journey?

Have you considered quitting? What, or who, has kept you going?

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Devastated after the brutal murder of her husband, Chelsea Hammond vows never to love another lawman. Intent on rebuilding her shattered life, she turns her focus to helping troubled teens. But when an angry father bent on retaliation, threatens her, Chelsea must turn to the one man she never thought to trust: Deputy U.S. Marshal Trey Colten.

Trey wants only to protect Chelsea, but she blames him for her husband’s death. Trey can relate. He blames himself, also. As danger lurks, Trey begs Chelsea to heed his warnings. He let down one Hammond. He won’t let down another—especially one who now holds his heart.

When Chelsea is snatched from her home, can she put aside her fear, and trust Trey with her life? Can she forgive him for destroying her past and let him help to rebuild her future?

Where one journey ends, another begins…

Dora Hiers is a multi-published author of Heart Racing, God-Gracing romances. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Treasurer for ACFW-Charlotte Chapter. Connect with her here on Seriously Write, her personal blog, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

Dreams and Determination by Annette M. Irby

Sky view through window*

Dreams and Determination

by Annette M. Irby

Hey, writers! How many of you caught the Big Game yesterday? I did, which is unusual for me. Generally, I’m not a football fan. But I was caught up in the message the Seahawks kept repeating this season: “Why not us?” They had an amazing season, so when they made it to the Big Game, I had to watch. 

WHY NOT US 

You see, Russell Wilson is their quarterback and he’s unashamedly Christian. He tells the story of how his father used to say to him (Russell stands 5’11”), “Why not you, Russ?” In other words, don’t let perceived limitations stop you. Russell took that message to his teammates, and it became their motto: “Why not us?” 

I learned something else watching the game yesterday. Whenever things didn’t go the way the Seahawks might have wanted, they jumped back into the game. Determined. But when the Broncos (this is just an observation; don’t hold it against me, dear writers) didn’t see things go their way, I saw a lot of head shaking. That’s a different attitude, and I wonder how much it contributed to their game experience. Seems the disappointment was too long a distraction while the game carried on. 

DREAM BIG

Check out this SB ad featuring Russell Wilson: 

  

GO AFTER IT! 

That encourages me. 

We writers are going for our dreams! We’re walking out our callings and setting our aspirations high. 

So, why can’t we be winners? We can work hard, learn the craft, reach out and help others, all while chasing our dreams. We can give less weight to any perceived limitations, and let God highlight the talents He gave us for His glory.

And we can chase our dreams unashamedly. 

We can write for God. Conduct our lives with integrity, and foster a champion’s mental attitude. 

Why not us? 

Why not you? 

Write on, friends! 

~~~~~~

One of your hostesses here at Seriously Write, Annette M. Irby writes fiction, edits freelance, and works in acquisitions for Pelican Book Group. She loves encouraging writers because she appreciates all that others have done for her. Learn more at her editing website or her author site. 

* Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net Old Door by Dan

From Dream to Reality by Marie Wells Coutu

Throughout the Bible, we see that God honors the dreams and desires of those who love Him and seek His will. Solomon wanted to build the temple that his father David had planned to build, and in 1 Kings, chapter 9, we see that God blessed that desire.

Psalm 38:9 tells us, "Lord, my every desire is known to You; my sighing is not hidden from You."

And in Philippians 2:13, Paul says, "For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose."

My husband likes to say if you want something you've never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.

Through my writing journey, I have seen God's faithfulness to honor my desires when they bring honor to Him. As a writer my whole life, I had always dreamed of having a book published. But it wasn't until I sincerely committed that dream to Him--and began to take steps to accomplish it--that I saw the dream fulfilled. As long as I only dreamed about it, walked into bookstores and admired the books on the shelf, read other books and thought, "I could write that," nothing happened. But when I actually sat at the computer and began to write, the book began to take shape. When I realized that I needed to study and work at the craft of writing, I could have given up, but I didn't. I continued to learn and work and rewrite and edit and polish--and finally, in God's perfect timing, I entered a contest called "Books of Hope" and won. The prize was not only the publication of my first book, but a three-book contract.

God continues to grant the desires of my heart. For several years, I have dreamed of becoming a full-time writer. For more than a year we have been planning and praying about His perfect timing to sell our house so that we could move closer to our family and so that I could retire from my full-time job. We thought we would not be ready to put our house on the market until spring 2014 but, through friends of friends, we recently sold the house. In this economy, we know that was from God. Now we are looking forward to spending more time with our children and grandchildren, and with each other. And after I finish the next two books in my contract, I lots of ideas for the more novels.

So if you have dreams or desires that you think will never come true, stop just dreaming and talk to God about that dream. Find out what you need to learn or to do, and take that first step.

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If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. Click to Tweet
When I actually sat at the computer and began to write, the book began to take shape. Click to Tweet
God continues to grant the desires of my heart. Click to Tweet

Marie Wells Coutu has written for newspapers, magazines, business, government, and nonprofit organizations. Her debut novel, For Such a Moment, won the Books of Hope Contest sponsored by Write Integrity Press and is the first in the Mended Vessels Series, contemporary stories based on Biblical women. She has lived in five different states and has worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for fourteen years. She and her husband have two children and three grandsons.

For Such a Moment

“If I don’t do this … I might as well perish.”

Revealing her secret could save lives…or change hers forever. In this book that re-imagines the story of Queen Esther in a contemporary setting, Ellen Neilson enjoys her comfortable life as the wife of an American CEO. Having lived in America since the age of ten, she has forsaken her mixed heritage and kept aspects of her childhood secret. Her husband has become engrossed in his job, and she believes having a child will salvage their troubled marriage.

When her cousin Manuel, whom she hasn’t seen for twenty years, shows up as one of her husband’s managers, Ellen fears that her past will be revealed. The company buys a banana plantation in her home country of Guatemala, and Manuel informs her that illegal pesticides have poisoned the water. People are dying, but she doesn’t know who’s to blame for the cover-up.

Inexpressible and Glorious Joy by Lillian Duncan

Lillian Duncan

Do you remember when you were first inspired to write? Have you found joy in your calling? Lillian Duncan is here to encourage us as we kick off another writing week. ~ Annette

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.

(1 Peter 1:8 NIV)

This verse brings a smile to my lips and heart. The question is how do you find that inexpressible and glorious joy?

First, we must become a child of God, but what happens after that? I’m sure there are many paths to finding that inexpressible and glorious joy, but for me it’s been pursuing my God-given dream—to be a writer.

Following my dream has given me joy and a purpose in my life. I can’t imagine how empty my life and heart would be without my writing.

The specifics of your God-given dream are different from mine. Whatever they are, they will bring you joy and a purpose not only when you reach their fulfillment but during the journey as well. Our dreams are important to God, His Kingdom, and this world. Paul talks about this:

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

(1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV) 

As each of us follows our God-given dreams, they will work together for the common good of all. Imagine a world where dreams come true, where each of us is free to be the person God created us to be, where each of us experiences that glorious and inexpressible joy that comes from pursuing and reaching our dreams.

It sounds pretty awesome, don’t you think? But real life is real life. We have bills to pay and responsibilities to meet. I am not advocating giving up your job, running off to Tahiti to become the writer, artist, or whatever you’ve always dreamed of. But with prayer, I’m sure you can find a way to pursue your dream and still live in the real world.

And somewhere in the middle of the process, you’ll find your glorious and inexpressible joy. 

~~~~~

Lillian Duncan writes stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem. She writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word. To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net or www.lillian-duncan.com. She also has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com 

~~~~~

Deception

Twins are supposed to have an unbreakable bond, but Patti and Jamie have serious relationship issues. They haven’t spoken since Jamie ruined Patti’s upcoming nuptials years ago. When a niece she knows nothing about telephones, Patti must unravel the yarn of Jamie’s life and her mysterious disappearance.

Detective Carter Caldwell takes his job seriously, and it's his job to keep Patti and her niece safe. But Patti is determined to help find her sister. As the investigation grows more dangerous, Carter begrudgingly admits the safest place for Patti is at his side.

Each step in their journey leads them closer to the truth but pulls them further down a road filled with danger and deception, where each will battle for survival and the lives of countless Americans.