This month, the Christian Writers Blog Chain covers the topic of ‘Joy’ for the month of April. You can read the other posts by my fellow bloggers by following the links to the left.
April has been a chaotic bit of a month. Between the release of my romance novella, My Fair Princess, on the 13th, my husband being offered a job in North Dakota the same day, and me doing my best to persuade my company to keep me on via remote as we plan to move, it sounds as if there should be nothing but chaos. But there has been a peace and certainty through it all helping me stay strong against the panic.
Thanks to a Bible app on my phone, I have begun reading my Bible daily rather than “when I remember.” I have enrolled in a writing course through the Christian Writers Guild and have high hopes that it will help me break some bad writing habits. I have been more active in marketing and socializing, even pushing through those moments when I want to unplug and separate myself from everyone and everything. There has been joy surrounding every aspect of my life, and not just in the re-discovered wonder of plotting out stories for my waiting characters.
It is like God has offered me a different perspective, a… fuller view of life’s adventure and what it could mean to not only my own character but those around me. I see and respond to those people that have been brought into my circle of influence, and I try and be the best example I can be, understanding now the limited length of time in each situation.
Yes, the “limbo” is a challenge, but the Lord, in His wisdom, guided me through it a few times before, teaching me and showing me how to weather this storm with grace and strength. Encouraging me through words spoken by my husband commenting on how proud he is of my reaction to this tough time. There is joy in those words because I know my strength blesses my husband.
Now there is eagerness to peer ahead, to face these challenges I have willingly set. If all goes well, we will close on a house in Beulah or Hazen some time before July, I complete my writing course on time in August, and my next romance novel will release that same month.
16 O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours. 17 Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You. 18 O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, preserve this forever in the [a]intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You; (1 Chronicles 29:16-18; NASB)
What joys have you discovered this month?
Of course, the hubs and I also conspired together to begin plotting out the last book in the series. Much as I would love to give you a bit of a peek inside the conflicts and angst of that book… I am practicing discretion and keeping my fingers away from those particular keys.
