Writing From Home

Lamenting Limitations

I've never liked limitations. Diets, budgets, schedules. I despise them all. For some reason I think I should be able to do it all: eat what I want and be thin, spend what I want and have money in savings, do what I want and have time and energy to spare. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way.

Barbara Curtis said something at Mount Hermon that has stuck to me like poison oak, making me uncomfortable until I do something about it. She said, “As a writer, your life will not look like the life of other mommies who do not share your call.”

That’s true I thought, in addition to all the things my "normal" mommy friends do, I write, edit, lead a writers group, attend conferences, submit articles and book proposals, receive rejections and encouragement and spend a lot of time improving my craft. I write blogs, read constantly, critique other writer’s work and learn everything I can about the Christian publishing industry. Wow! No wonder I sometimes feel overwhelmed.

What I think Barbara was telling me was that if I am going to take my call to write seriously, I must do all of the above instead of some of the things my mommy friends do.

If I am going to be a fully-engaged mommy and fulfill my call to write, I have to take some things out of my life. That’s the part that itches and then hurts when I scratch it.

I’ve been wrestling with what to take out of my life.

Maybe I could cut out some of my daily chores. Did you know it takes about 24 hours a year to make my bed every morning? It’s true, I did the math. That’s a whole day! Just think of the time I could save by not making dinner and not doing laundry? Wouldn’t that be something? Right. That'll never work.

So, I have to look elsewhere for things to cut. And I’ve started by saying “no” to all new opportunities that do not directly benefit my marriage, family or writing. That’s right, “no” to watching TV--unless I’m ironing or cooking. “No” to going out to lunch with girlfriends. “No” to selling hot dogs at my son’s baseball games.  

Don’t worry, I’m not going to go overboard and live like a monk. I will still get the occasional pedicure and celebrate birthdays with friends. I’m not going to be legalistic about it, I’m just adjusting to make more room in my life for my writing. Without taking time away from my Jesus, my husband and my children. I’m learning to live within my limitations of time and energy. How about you?

Gratefully,

Beth

I’m Going to Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

Very early tomorrow morning, I will be heading to Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference with a group of writers from Inspire. I am so excited that I doubt I'll sleep much tonight.

Why am I so excited?

• Well, Mount Hermon is a gorgeous place, located a short drive from Santa Cruz and some beautiful Northern California beaches.

   

• I love spending time with Christian writers. These are my people. Really. Something amazing happens when a group of people who love Jesus and love to write come together to worship God, seek his will and improve their craft.

   

• I get to travel with several of the Inspire Christian Writers! We will be praying for and with each other throughout the conference.

   

• I can't wait to meet several online friends (from Facebook, Twitter, and ShoutLife) and connect with them in real life.

   

• I get to spend five days alone with Jesus. (As alone as I can be with hundreds of other writers.) Every time I attend a Christian writer's conference Jesus shows up. He speaks to me and gives me direction, affirmation and lots of love. I need that.

   

• The classes and workshops and keynote addresses are always fantastic. I learn and grow and am stretched in ways I never imagined each time I attend.

   

• And I'll be meeting with agents and editors to pitch my books.

So, now I'm off to bed to try and sleep. My next post will be from Mount Hermon.

Gratefully,

Beth

PS: Thanks to those of you who are praying for me, Dee, Joanne, Lori, Chris and Kelli. We really appreciate it!

To the Rescue?

What would you do if a family you knew suddenly became homeless? It is a question requiring some prayer, some thought and some action.

It is a question I was confronted with this past week when Brandilyn Collins posted an urgent prayer request on Facebook for Liz and Katy (a widowed mom and her 16 year old daughter) who had just been evicted from their home and were living in their car. The story captivated my attention. Liz and Katy put names and faces to the fears we have for ourselves and our loved ones in these painful economic times.

I prayed immediately for Liz and Katy while my husband searched the internet for support organizations in their area. They live in Campbell, CA. I forwarded the information, but knew that wasn't enough and continued to pray.

About the same time, Brandilyn began using her PayPal account for donations to help Liz and Katy. Money started to trickle in. I knew that would help, but only until the funds run out. I continued to pray. I know from reading Brandilyn's blog and Facebook page that many, many people are also praying.

Through Brandilyn's PR connections, the media became involved. ABC and NBC both interviewed Liz and Katy. CNN picked up the story and now Good Morning America will interview them next week.

Liz and Katy will get the help they need, but that's still not enough. Many others are teetering on the brink of homelessness. So, I continue to pray.

I believe that as the Body of Christ we are charged with the responsibility and privilege to help those who are in need. We cannot wait for the government to step in, or for someone else to help them. It is our job!

Now back to my original question: What will you do if a family you know suddenly becomes homeless?

I hope we will all follow Brandilyn's example and use our networks, our influence, our finances, and our prayers to help those in need.

We must jump in and take hold of those who are swimming in the dangerous waters of homelessness and help them to shore.

 

If you want to help Liz and Katy or learn more about their story, go to Anywhere but Here. To help others in distress, pray for a sensitive heart and I'm sure God will provide opportunities.

Win Two Tickets to the Inauguration

Hey bloggy friends, here's our chance to attend the inauguration:

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is hosting a 200-word essay contest (with a minimum $5 donation). Ten winners will receive a pair of tickets to the inauguration, transportation and hotel accommodations. More details are available here.

Will you enter the competition?

 

Happy New Year!

Beth

The Coming of Christmas

The Coming of Christmas

By Don Towle

 

As the pastor stepped down from the pulpit

After his message, his congregation asked him,

“When is Christmas and what will be the sign of its coming”

 

The pastor got a far-away look in his eyes and answered,

 

Watch out! Many will come in my name saying,

“Ho! Ho! Ho! This is what Christmas is all about.”

 

You will hear of sales and rumors of sales,

But, do not be alarmed, such things must happen.

 

Department stores will rise up against Walmart stores.

There will be so much candy and sweets

Weight watchers will quake in their boots.

 

All these are just the beginning

Of stomach pains and acid indigestion.

 

At that time many will turn away from the peace

Of the Nativity and the Wise Men of the past

Who laid their gifts before the newborn Child.

 

Instead, they will join the frenzy of the multitude

Rushing here and there buying gifts

To lie before their newly cut trees.

 

Many false and misleading advertisements will appear

And deceive many people.

 

The rich and the poor alike have accepted

That without the mark on the card in their right hand

They will not be able to buy enough.

 

Because of the fear of not being ready by the Eve,

They will not be able to rest day or night,

And the love of many will grow cold.

 

But when the carols of true Christmas

Are sung throughout the whole world,

Only then Christmas will come.

 

So when you see the red-suited Clause,

The Snowman, and the Grinch, spoken of by the TV,

Put in the place of the Manger Child,

Let the listener beware.

 

Let no one who is on the roof putting up decorations,

Go back down into his garage.

 

For then there will be great distrust,

Unequaled from the beginning of the year

And never to be equaled again until next Christmas.

 

If those shopping days had not been cut short

By the discipline of those who wait until after Thanksgiving,

No one would survive.

 

At that time if anyone says to you,

“Look, here is the real meaning of Christmas!”

Do not believe it, for many false Christmas stories

Will appear on TV performing great Christmas miracles

Even deceiving the faithful, if that were possible.

 

See, I have told you ahead of time,

So if anyone tells you that

“Christmas is at this mall out in the suburbs”

Do not go out there, or

“Here Christmas is in the inner city square.”

Do not believe it!

 

For just as lightning that comes from the east

Is visible even in the west,

So will the coming of real Christmas be.

 

It will come in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye,

At the realization that the very shepherds

Who heard the trumpeting of the angelic heavenly hosts,

And left their sheep to go see the Christ Child,

Lying in a manger, were seeing the same Christ,

The Lamb of God, who suffered and died on the cross,

Shedding His blood for the forgiveness of your sins.

 

It will be in that instance,

What was dead will come to life.

Your mortal soul will put on immortality,

Death will be swallowed up in victory,

And true Christmas will come.

 

Merry Christmas!

 Don Towle is the newest member of the Inspire Christian Writers group. He is a thoughtful writer whose insights and skills bring a lot to our group. This is his first contribution to my blog (Thanks, Don!) hopefully the first of many. If you enjoyed his writing, please leave a comment and I will make sure he gets it. Meanwhile, let's anticipate with joy, the coming of Christmas.

Gratefully,

Beth

Lord of the Ringless Book-signing

Join me at my friend Dee's book signing this weekend!

Dee Aspin will be signing her new book, Lord of the Ringless on Sunday, December 7^th at the Borders in Davis. Join us from 2-4pm.

Do you know a single Christian woman who would rather be married? Lord of the Ringless is the perfect gift for her. It is filled with insights and encouragement for women who love the Lord and desire marriage. Dee challenges readers to walk in faith and surrender their singleness to God. She shares glimpses into her life as a single woman who desires a godly mate. It's clear that she desires Jesus even more.

I hope you will come!

Gratefully,

Beth