I confess I've struggled with that stop-and-smell-the-roses thing this week. After a nerve-racking freelance drought when I couldn't scare up work with a stick, I am suddenly covered up in deadlines—a good, good thing for our bank account. But it's all due at about the same time—a challenge for the work/life balancing act. And it never fails—when I have plenty of time for my own writing, I can't chase a single idea out of my head, but let me have NO time for it (like now) and suddenly I have a gazillion ideas I want to work on. I dreamed up a children's book series while I stir-fried chicken last night:) Listen to me with my terrible problems. My financial and creative needs have been supplied. I'm whining about . . . blessings. At the same time, I have dear friends who are dealing with real problems, with sickness and loss in their families. Nothing else on our to-do lists is as important as reaching out to those around us when they're hurting. My mother has always had a ready cure for self-pity and for what she calls "the mullygrubs" (that's when you feel a little down and blue for no apparent reason): stop dwelling on your own problems and do something for somebody else. FYI, she also recommends gardening:) More than anything, she always tells me—with absolute assurance—that if I'll lift up my troubles and struggles in prayer, I'll find my direction and my comfort:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11: 28-30
I certainly understand and we know He does. How wonderful the work has come and the ideas are flowing. Make a note to remember this during the next spell when you can't "scare up work with a stick". Awesome how God works, an idea for a whole series of books while you were cooking supper! Blessings to you.
Posted by: Rose Chanlder Johnson | April 28, 2013 at 05:22 AM