Tag Archive for: victory

Maintain a steady course

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Winter Wonderland Creekside (photo by Steve Lasher)

Winter Wonderland Creekside (photo by Steve Lasher)

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me” — Psalm 13:5–6 (NIV).

Feeling a bit in the dumps today? Unloved? Unrecognized? Unmotivated? One five letter word may be what you need to hear and focus on. T-R-U-S-T. Trust in God, his unfailing love, and the gift of free salvation.

In the Old Testament, God brought Moses and the Israelites through the wilderness, out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. The journey involved bumps, doubts, and inevitable pain. This may be what you’ve experienced with your writing career journey. Both acceptances and rejections are part of an overall plan.

Rather than remain bogged down in the negatives, why not choose to celebrate mini-victories along the way.

  • Maybe you received a thank you for a heartfelt note you wrote to a friend in need. Success!
  • What about an article you researched and later published in a church newsletter? Victory!
  • You volunteered to facilitate the discussion in your small group meeting — another success!

    Winter berries (photo by Steve Lasher)

    Winter berries (photo by Steve Lasher)

God is there congratulating and encouraging you to keep on writing and telling your unique story. Don’t give up; rather continue to keep trusting God through the slow and tough times. You’ll be glad you did!

“I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms — I’m celebrating your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers” — Psalm 13:5–6 (The Message).

Persistent Dandelion

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One lonely dandelion braves the fall frost. Winter encroaches not far behind, yet a burst of yellow flower and green stem still stands tall. Colored leaves from nearby trees gently fall and nestle near the vibrant, persistent soldier. Most would think it’s time to give in and give up by now. After all, the weather will only turn icier and colder.  

I think of circumstances in a writer’s life — rejections from editors and publishers; worse yet, no response at all. Wouldn’t it be easier just to call it quits? I could tell my family and friends that there must be a mistake … a disconnect and that I’m really not a writer after all. Then maybe the pressure and drive would disappear and I wouldn’t be concerned with more research, edits and critiques from my writers’ group.

But I’m not convinced my drive and passion would evaporate. More than likely, miserableness might set in. Deep down, I know that character, persistence, and integrity come when I march on in spite of circumstances. I must keep putting words down on paper regardless of how I feel at the time or what someone thinks of me.

Emulating that persistent dandelion will lead to published work, smiles from my colleagues and a “well done, good and faithful servant” from the God I write for and about.

So, stand tall and shine bright — others are watching and some even cheer the writer on to a satisfying victory!  Press on toward the goal …

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  – Philippians 3:12-14

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