Recount, Recall, and Apply – Lessons from David and Goliath II ~ By Susan Tuttle

Susan Tuttle

Last month I told you we’d camp out with David for a few weeks, checking out his battle with Goliath. We started with “Tune Out and Turn Away”, which reminded us to listen to the voice of God. Any other voices we need to not only ignore, but remove from our lives. You can check out that post here.

Today we’re picking up the story as David meets Saul along the edges of the battlefield. David has turned from his peers who have attempted to create doubt, to his king. For me, the story grows even more interesting here. This is someone in a position of authority, and Saul has two responses. We’re only tackling the first one today. Take a listen:

You can’t go and fight this Philistine. You’re too young and inexperienced…1 Samuel 17:33

Wow. Not exactly constructive advice or positive encouragement. Those words are riddled with doubt and negativity…nearly an attack against David.

Ever been there? Entered a contest and gotten poor feedback? Or received a terrible rejection letter from a publisher or agent? Had an editor tell you you’ll never make it in this industry? That’s what’s happening here, and David’s response is priceless:

Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:36-37

David never wobbles in his faith. He knew what God had called him to, and he believed in God’s ability to deliver the victory. It wasn’t even a question to him. And rather than falling prey to the doubt Saul delivered, David recounts the victories he’s had through Christ. Even better? When he’s through with his list of impossibilities God made possible through him, he claims his next victory—killing Goliath—before it’s even happened. That just begs for an AMEN! David’s unwavering faith in God is his greatest weapon.

Now please don’t get me wrong; constructive criticism is good—it helps us grow. But allowing someone to convince you that you’re unable to do what God has called you to, well that’s just unacceptable. When criticism isn’t constructive, I don’t care who it’s from, you need to stomp on its seed before doubt takes root. You need to do what David did…

Begin to recount all the victories God has already placed in your hands, recall his faithfulness in your life, and apply that in faith to the victories he will bring. There is an amazing power in speaking out and remembering God’s faithfulness.


Step into that power today.

****

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.

The Work of Our Hands

Thursdays – Dawn’s Devotions for Writers

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17 NIV)

Do you desire God to favor—honor the work of your hands?

I think we all do.

We spend countless hours researching, plotting, outlining, and writing our stories. Then we may ask a critique group, or hire an editor, to give suggestions on how to improve our work. We write and rewrite. Then one day we send a query letter, or submit a proposal, hoping that our story or article will be published.

We wait—and pray. We ask God to bless our work. We may even beg him to find favor with us and our submissions, and reward us with a sale.

After all, shouldn’t all that labor bear fruit?

Are you familiar with Facing the Giants, a film about faith and football? In the story, a coach at a Christian high school faces the possibility of his losing his job, while also struggling with disappoints on the home front.

One particular scene in this movie continues to impact me. A man in the community told the coach that he should prepare the fields in expectation of rain. In other words, the coach should continue serving, sharing Christ, and mentoring those kids, (preparing the fields) and God would bless him, his family, and the team (the rain).

We need to do our part so God can do his. We need to do the work!

Prepare your own fields. Study the craft, be open to critique, network, read, and write, write, write. Step out in faith, believing that God will honor your efforts. The rain will come.

Have a great week!

Dawn

Where is Your Treasure? Part 2

Thursdays – Dawn’s Devotions for Writers

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

(Matthew 6:21 NIV)

Have you ever needed to revisit something you’ve written?

Not for editing purposes, not to recall where you left a character in limbo two days prior, and not to remember the heroine’s eye color.

I’m talking about an encouraging note written to a friend, something that hits on your manuscript’s spiritual theme, or in my case—a devotion.

Last week’s devotion was titled, “Where is Your Treasure?” I wrote, “I want my treasure to be my relationship with Christ—loving, honoring, and serving him. I want my desire for him to be the true joy of my heart.”

I needed to read that again after this past week.

As a goal-oriented person, I strive to cross things off a list each day. On a professional level, those tasks may include editing projects for clients, working on my own manuscript, writing blog articles, keeping up with e-mail, and networking. Like you, there are always household tasks and errands to tack on.

Some days, it’s impossible to get through the list. So you add what doesn’t get accomplished to tomorrow’s assignments and hope to do better. But, I didn't.

Instead, I became frustrated.

My oldest daughter called—in the middle of the day—to talk. She’s in the midst of making important decisions and needed to bounce some things off me. We spent two hours on the phone.

My youngest asked me to attend a function at the school where she’s employed. My mother called from out-of-state to chat. A friend needed to vent about struggles in her life. Another friend e-mailed with information and questions that required lengthy responses. My husband experienced several rough days at work and needed to verbally decompress as soon as he arrived home. And the interruptions continued . . .

I know some people who work at home don’t answer the phone or e-mail until a given time. I’m not one of those people. So I felt I was getting further and further behind where I wanted to be on any given day.

And along with being frustrated, I became a bit irritated.

Then the truth hit.

My feelings weren’t directed at my family and friends.

I was frustrated that I wasn’t meeting self-imposed deadlines. I wasn’t meeting my own expectations. No one else was affected. I didn’t have a client begging to have an edit returned sooner than later. My manuscript wasn’t on deadline for a publisher.

I love that my kids want to talk and spend time with me. I need to be the one my husband goes to and shares his day. And I want to be the supportive and caring person my friends deserve.

People are more important than my work. I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I would never let writing come before family and friends.

After all, what sense does it make? What good does it accomplish to write a novel filled with deep, spiritual themes, if I can’t take the time to minister to those around me? “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Matthew 25:45 NIV).

Ahead of writing, God has placed me here to help care for his people. Along with him, that’s where my heart needs to be and my treasure found.

Dawn

God's Way

Thursdays - Dawn's Devotions for Writers

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the reins, isn’t it?

We have dreams—goals—desires. We want to control the outcome of our labor. We want to choose who, what, when, and how.

We pray and ask God to bless “our” plans . . .

But Isaiah reminds us that God doesn’t work the way we work – and He doesn’t think the way we think. His work surpasses ours, and His thoughts are beyond the way we think.

He cares about you. He cares about your hopes and dreams, whether it be for a particular agent to show interest, a contract with a certain publishing house, or for your writing to make an impact.

But rather than pray for God to bless your plans, ask Him to show you His. They’re already blessed. He has a personal plan and a specific destination for you.

And it may be far greater than what you can imagine.

Dawn

Are You Praying?

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

“When a believing person prays,
great things happen.” (James 5:16 NCV)

Are you a person who prays?

Once a week? Once a day? All day long? Or just when desperate situations calls for desperate actions?

What do you pray about?

Finances? Your family’s health and safety? Relationships?

I strongly believe that prayer makes things happen. I believe God hears and moves on our requests to heal the sick, mend wounded hearts, and provide for physical needs.

We are so privileged to have open communication with our heavenly Father – with GOD. What an honor to speak directly to Him. As often as we’d like. Whenever we like. And He not only welcomes it, He desires it!

Do you pray about your writing? Ask God what He wants you to do with your skills? What you should write? Open yourself up to the Holy Spirit to give you the words? Do you ask how He wants you to go about developing a writing career? If at all?

Because of our limited vision, prayer isn’t about telling God what to do and when to do it. It’s about sharing the desires of our hearts, and then looking to Him for direction - trusting that He’ll do what’s best for us.

There is power in prayer. When we believe and pray, great things can happen. Doors can open that may provide opportunities for contracts and connections in the publishing arena. People may be touched – lives may be changed – by our words.

Through prayer, great things can happen in our own hearts and lives. We may gain greater insight into what He wants us to write. And we may find the patience needed to wait on His timing. The grace to be joyful over a fellow writer’s achievement. And the perseverance when our own success doesn’t come as easily – or as quickly – as we’d like.

Are you hoping for great things to happen in your life?
Pray. And trust that they will.

Dawn

Tidings of Great Joy!

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring
you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there
is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 7:10-11 NKJV)

What beautiful, powerful words . . .

I’ve heard the story of baby Jesus – the birth in a stable, the cattle lowing, the shepherds, and the wise men since I was not much bigger than a babe myself.

But as I’ve reread the Christmas story over the past few days, it’s touched and reminded me . . .

To not be afraid.
The shepherds were a little freaked out when the angels appeared. We would be too if they showed up one night out of nowhere in our backyard. The shepherds were told to not be afraid of the angel’s presence, but perhaps today we can also view it with another perspective. We don’t need to fear what life throws our way – nor do we need to fear death.

Great joy surrounds Jesus’ birth.
Christmas should be a time of celebration and sharing the good news with others.

"For there is born to you . . ."

The good news is for YOU and ME.

But not only us and a few other chosen people. It's for everyone. The person who sits behind you every Sunday in church hasn't been singled out. Nor the coworker who brings you Christmas cookies every year. Or the neighbor boy who mows your lawn and shovels snow off your sidewalk.

“. . . which will be to all people.”

That includes people who are homeless, in prison, dealing with addictions, and choosing alternative lifestyles.

It also includes those who are mean, spiteful, selfish, arrogant, and rude.

We, as Christian writers, have an important calling to share God’s love through written word.

Share the good news – the tidings of great joy – that Christ the Savior is born!

Merry Christmas!

Dawn

Writing Hope at Christmas

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.
"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

This Bible verse has been my life-line for many years.

Hope.

What a powerful word.

During Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the hope He brought to the world.

Christmas should be a time of merriment and cheer, but for some it’s a time of loneliness, grieving, and struggles with relationships, finances, or health issues.

I’ve experienced two holiday seasons that were difficult for me. The first was my first Christmas as a divorced person and not being able to spend all of the time with my kids. The second came after I remarried and we struggled with the death of my 19 year-old daughter due to a freak a freak car accident. Both times I was blessed with wonderful friends who surrounded me with love and support. They reminded me there was hope.

Perhaps someone you know is struggling. Others may desire to say something encouraging, but they just don’t know what to say, so they say nothing at all . . . But as writers, we have a gift for putting words together. We have something that we can offer to those who need hope.

I send out an annual Christmas letter with pictures to about eighty friends and family members across the country. For some, this is the only time we communicate. This year I wrote about courage, what it takes to follow our dreams and God’s calling in our lives, and relayed how family members have drawn upon that very courage this past year. I wanted to encourage others to pursue their own dreams.

Before sending it out, I asked my husband, “Does this sound preachy?”

He assured me it wasn’t offensive in any way.

As soon as our letters were in the mail, we received one from friends in another state. It relayed that after 30 years, the husband was laid off with no hope of being called back to the job. Devastated, they want God to show them a “plan.”

They included the husband’s current e-mail address, so I sent a note with encouraging words. I received a response the same day, expressing appreciation, saying that he’d read the e-mail out loud to the rest of the family. The Christmas letter that I feared might be taken as “preachy” meant a great deal to him. After reading it, he told his wife it was exactly what he needed at the time.

My vision blurred as I read . . .

Fellow writers . . . we have opportunities all around us to bring words of encouragement and hope this Christmas.

A note, card, or e-mail is something tangible that a person can read over and over when needed.

Use your gift for the written word – and help bring hope this Christmas.

Dawn

A Few Surprises

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

"Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)

All writers probably have a dream, vision, or plan of what needs to be accomplished before they can feel successful in their writing careers. The prize may first be a contracted novel. Then it may be a three book contract for a series. For some, it may be an article published in a major magazine.

I have my own dream. But, I’ve also discovered something on this journey. The Lord has a purpose for our writing, which may include a few surprises along the way.

I work for a national telecommunications company. It’s known that I’m a writer, and so through a series of events, I was handed the task of creating a quarterly publication for our department of 90 people.

At first, I thought it a bit daunting. But then – selfishly – I thought how wonderful it would be to have a creative outlet. A breath of fresh air!

I was thinking only about myself. My plan.

Because of time limitations, I requested help. Management and I worked out a way to solicit four other people in the department, with me taking the role as lead editor. I didn’t know what to expect, but God had a plan. He provided a gold mine in the four coworkers who stepped forward.

They've arrived at meetings, excited to offer ideas and suggestions. I’m mentoring one person to someday take over the role of editor. She's struggled with her job and told me this project is the one thing she has. The one thing that helps keep her going.

A young man in his mid-twenties has beamed these past weeks. Desiring to go to art school, the opportunity to design our graphics has been a needed creative outlet for him. He emailed that working on the publication has been a great experience for him.

God had a plan.

I don’t believe my work on this publication was just a way for me to add more credits to my writing resume. I believe the Lord’s purpose also included this small group of people who were feeling just as I was. Desperate to fill the void inside that occurs when we don’t have the opportunity to create.

Sometimes God uses our writing gifts in ways we don’t expect.

Sometimes, God surprises us.

Be open to those surprises . . .

And have a great week.

Dawn

Giving Thanks

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100: 4 NIV)

Lord,

This Thanksgiving Day we’re filled with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives.

Thank you for . . .

Husbands and wives who believe in us and our dreams.

Patient children, who at times must wait for our attention.

Friends who support a passion they don’t always understand.

Critique groups who provide encouragement and honest feedback.

Mentors who teach and help guide us.

Agents who look out for our best interest.

Editors who assist in taking our work to a higher level.

Good health while struggling to meet deadlines.

Writer friends who understand us, as only other writers can.

And Lord, thank you also for . . .

The gift of imagination.

Characters who breathe, live, and grow on the page.

Plot solutions that arrive in the middle of the night.

The ability to give hope and inspiration through story.

The privilege to share Your love and forgiveness through our words.

Amen

How Will You Be Known?

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

“Therefore, by their fruit you will know them.” (Matt. 7:20 NKJV)

As writers we can get caught up in branding.

You know . . . that thing that makes us stand out from other writers. That tag line that speaks to what we write, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction.

“Don’t forget to breathe . . .” lets you know when you open a Brandilyn Collin’s novel, you’ll find a story full of suspense.

Kim Sawyer uses “gentle stories of hope” for her historical romances.

You expect humor with Kathleen E. Kovach’s tag, “Spiritual Truth…With A Giggle.”

Some authors are so well known for their genre, they don’t need a tag line. Their name alone represents their brand.

Dr. James Dobson. Everyone knows what he stands for and what to expect from any publication written by him.

No one choosing a Stephen King novel would anticipate reading something lighthearted.

I hope to have a brand and a cool tag line some day.

But when I get caught up in my writing and desire to be published, I put this before me . . .

Even if I’m bearing fruit on the page and writing 3,000 words a day (I wish!) – how am I known to those around me?

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.” (Galations 5:22-23 NIV)

More than my desire to be known for what I write, I want to be known for bearing fruits of the Spirit.

And you?

How will you be known?

Dawn

Am I Ever Going to Get it Right?

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

"You must present as the Lord's portion the best
and holiest part of everything given to you." (Num 18:29 NIV)

As Christian writers we take our calling seriously, so we strive to produce inspiring devotions, challenging articles, and life changing stories.

But as hard as we work, aren’t there days when many of us ask, “Am I ever going to get it right?”

Our critique group explains that our work lacks the emotion needed for them to empathize with the character. The contest entry we submit with high hopes of winning doesn’t even place. The manuscript an editor loves, still can’t seem to win the hearts of the publishing board. Our article gets published in a magazine – and then we realize several paragraphs could have been written soooo much better.

“Am I ever going to get it right?”

The bad news—the answer is no. Not if you’re expecting perfection.

There will always be a better way to write something. After years of growing in their craft, authors who have been published for some time will confess to being almost appalled at their earlier works. Even if you’re absolutely thrilled with your published work, it’s likely that you’ll still find imperfections. A word may be misspelled. You may find punctuation incorrectly typed in.

The good news—it’s okay.

A high school art teacher expressed a belief that has stuck with me since I was seventeen. A sign of a true artist is the inability to be satisfied with the end result. A true artist will always seek ways to be better.

Writers are artists. We create with words. We create from our imagination.

It's impossible for our work to reach perfection. And the only way to get it right is to honor God and our calling by working hard and offering the best we can.

Then we need to leave it up to God, who in His infinite wisdom and power, can make it right for our readers, and touch those who need to be touched.

There’s freedom in that. Embrace it.

Have a great week!

Dawn

Dawn's Devotional - Change?

Hi! I’m Dawn, Annette’s partner in hosting Seriously Write. Please join me on Thursdays for devotions from the heart. I write them for YOU. My prayer is that you’ll be blessed, encouraged, and challenged in your writing life. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Today's topic is CHANGE.


Annette and I are blessed to be in a critique group with two other talented women. We meet weekly at a McDonald’s at 6:30 pm, and always stay long enough to close the place down at 11:00 pm. We even call ourselves McCritters, and our time together McCrit.

For years we’ve shared our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. With that amount of entanglement, a huge amount of trust has been established, so we’re very honest with each other. During our crit meetings we feel free to express things like:

“Way too slow, honey. You need to kill the whole scene.”

“Needs more emotion. I’m just not feeling it.”

“Whoa! I was totally lost.”

As fiction writers, many of us labor over the first chapter—the first page—of our manuscript, rewriting every paragraph at least 20 times. We agonize over our characters’ goals and motivations, and pray that we’ve created enough conflict in their lives.

But as we strive to write words—whether fiction or non-fiction—that touches and change lives, something else begins to happen.

Another writer gets a contract – and we learn to deal with envy.

Our novel is not a best seller – and we learn to be humble.

Someone says unkind things about words we’ve written from the heart – and we learn to be gracious.

A writer, new to publishing, needs a mentor – and we learn to be unselfish.

And as we struggle to weave a meaningful thread into our story, we may discover the spiritual journey is our own.

Maybe—just maybe—while we desire to change people’s lives, God uses our writing to change us.

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." (Psalm 25: 4-5 NIV)

This week, think about what God is doing in your writing life right now to help mold you into the person He created you to be.


Dawn Kinzer has published articles, devotions, and short stories. Believing that fiction can help change lives, she’s currently working on her third manuscript. Music plays an important role in her life, and she serves her church as a vocalist with a contemporary worship team. You can learn more by visiting her Web site and blog From Dawn til Dusk.