Evening Meditation 11-11-9

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    they have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
    show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
    just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. Psalm 86:14-17

Share with me some things you consider to be signs of God’s goodness.

 

NaNoWriMo 2019 & My “Oh! So Tired”

Posted on by under The Stories

I planned well for this year’s NaNoWriMo. I created a detailed list of goals to tackle. I began months ago working on building my writing and reading  stamina so that I could handle three hours a day of reading and writing. I even thoughtfully restructured my schedule between work and home so that I would be able to manage the  new writing regimen.

What I did not plan on was the level of weariness I was going to come into this season carrying. I am tired not so much physically but emotionally. While I now have the working space to plan in a longer nap every day, I am realizing that this is not just about getting the physical rest my body craves. There is a work to do in the midst of all the writing and reading.That work has to do with facing some emotional issues and coming to terms with them. I have to let some things go to gain peace. I have to change my expectations regarding certain things to come, and I have to allow some people to walk away as I realize I cannot fill their expectations of our relationship. I have to give up what I cannot control and embrace what I can control. Honestly, the list of things I can control is turning out to be rather small.

I think part of NaNoWriMo this year may be about far more than just writing the next great American novel. I think it is about something far closer to home. I am beginning to feel like God planned all this in advance so that I would be able to come to terms with  the monumental changes which have taken place in my life over the last 2 years. Strangely, until the beginning of this month I was not even really aware that I was having a struggle with these changes. Fancy that.

 

Mid Afternoon Meditation 11-10-19

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    they have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
    show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
    just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. Psalm 86:14-17

What is the power of a mother in a godly man’s life?

NaNoWriMo 2019 Go Us!

Posted on by under The Stories

I am still plowing my way through NaNoWriMo 2019. I am still engaging in the work. Go me!

 

Today in the midst of my daily reading about writing and in the midst of rereading my manuscript I am meditating on the importance of my voice in the community…the conversation I bring to the table. I have worked through the manuscript of Pork Chops With the Sentinels Of Azatan one more time. Taking notes as I go and thinking about the connection of scenes within the book and the progression of characters throughout the story, I find myself asking:

“Will this story create conversations of value?”

“Will this book make people think?”

“Will it cause people to disagree?”

“Will it cause anyone to change?”

My sister is in her last performance tonight of the play “Seven”. I saw the piece last night. It was good. I disagreed with many things in the play. It made me angry for the plight of women around the globe. It made me want to have a conversation about….well, …something bigger than me.

That is what I want from my book. I want to engage as well as entertain. I want to start a conversation that will go farther than….well,… me.

We are still plowing our way through NaNoWriMo 2019. By reading this you are still engaging in the work. Go us!