I feel like I sort of owe everyone an explanation for where I’ve been for the last six or seven months. Not to justify my ‘disappearance,’ but to share some of the amazing things that have been happening while I was absent from social media and here on the page.
I know that kind of thing can be tatamount to a career disaster, especially in the world of the arts when trends and artists come and go so quickly. Entire careers have been built (and lost) in a single tweet or media post.
As I noted in my January POST, I took a new job which meant significant changes to my daily and weekly schedule. Going into the change, I knew there would be no way I could maintain the consistency necessary to interact the way I had been, and I wanted to give my new employer 100% of my time and energy. It may have frozen my progress as an author, but personally, it was the very best decision I’ve ever made. The schedule changes were even more drastic than I anticipated. Almost nine months in, I finally feel like I have a decent handle on things again!
I very quickly learned to prioritize the things that are truly important to me, which are my amazing husband, my grandkids, and most of all, time with Jesus and His church. In making those things my top priorities, the Lord spoke very clearly to me about the future of my writing and creative pursuits.
For several months, I didn’t write a single new word in any of my projects. I created nothing new at all. But what I discovered was a deep renewing of who I am as a person, and who I am in Christ.
One of the verses that spoke loudly to me in this time was Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG) – Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
The first part of that verse solidified that my having taken a break from writing was exactly what I most needed. The time away from what I am called to do (write) made me question all the other things that were occupying my time. None of them were bad or wrong, and many of them were necessary for that season or period of time.
I spent time carefully examining why I was doing them, and if they fit in with my life purpose. I discovered that the reason I had taken on many of them was out of a sense of duty or need. Not that doing things for those reasons is wrong, and there are many reasons when we have to be willing to set aside our plans and desires for a time, but some of them had to go.
Scheduling writing time is a top priority, and over the last month, I’ve settled into a shorter, but extremely productive routine for getting words on the page again.
Just this past week, I rejoined one of my writing groups, and have never been so excited to get back to sharing my characters with you. It probably won’t be as frequent, and for a time a period of time, might seem a bit scattered as I work on several projects at once, but I’m back!
To those who hung with me through my sabbatical – THANK YOU! I hope you see growth and improvement in my writing.
To those who are just now joining me – WELCOME! I hope something you find here that encourages you!
My Current Playlist: