Reaching for Your Dream

What is it about a dream–that something we would dearly love to accomplish … if only? I wrote this piece as I struggled toward my dream almost eleven years before Her Deadly Inheritance appeared in print and e-book.

Maybe you’ve felt this way–or feel this way now–as you reach for your dream.

The Frustration

I slumped at my desk and closed my eyes in an effort to trap the tears that threatened to escape. “I’m ready to give up, Lord! I’ve worked on this novel and worked on it some more. It’s just not getting anywhere.”

“I’m weary of the battle, Lord. I don’t think I’ll ever finish it.” Tears traced wet paths down my face.

Oh, great! I palmed them away. “Please, Lord, if you have an idea to share, I could sure use it now.”

Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed.  ~ Proverbs 16:3 (TLB)

What? Surely God knew I had dedicated each piece of my writing dream to him from the very beginning. Obviously, I was missing something behind those twelve short words.

Something important.

Several hours later, I pushed aside my concordances, commentaries, and dictionaries and picked up what I had distilled from them. I stared at the pages.

So that was the problem.

Committing my work to the Lord involved more than offering a quick prayer before I barreled ahead with my plan. It was spreading everything before the Lord each morning — my manuscript, plans, deadline schedules — and most of all, myself. It was sharing my difficulties and delights with him, both writing and otherwise. It was praying, “Lord, here am I. Use me. What do you want me to accomplish today?”

I knelt down to do that very thing.

Before long I saw significant progress in the novel’s development. Excitement about the project returned! I couldn’t wait to get to my desk each morning and boot up my computer.

How glad I am to have learned this valuable lesson: Being a Christian writer isn’t a simple matter of being a Christian and writing. It’s being a Christian who lays her dream at the feet of the Lord and obeys him. As I look back, every one of my published manuscripts was a fruit of God’s plan, not mine. Painful as all the years of struggle have been, I am grateful that God continues to preserve that precious pattern.

Dear Reader, this piece has been a long time coming, and now you know why. Until next time . . . look to the Lord. He will help you overcome your frustrations!

Copyright 2005 Beth Ann Ziarnik

Are you reaching for your dream? May I encourage you to work at it and stick with it until it’s accomplished in the Lord’s timing? It truly will be worth it all.

Remembering the Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! Won’t be long before the fireworks light up the night skies again, right?

With the heat and humidity, indoors seems the best place for me–maybe you too! But this morning I enthusiastically decked out the house–inside and out–with 4th of July decorations that I remembered using during the local book launch party for Her Deadly Inheritance. Perfect!

That led to recalling those two fun summers Jim and I went to Munising and Grand Island, Michigan to research the setting for Her Deadly Inheritance. What fun we had participating in the old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration, beginning with the morning parade in town and ending with the evening fireworks over Murray Bay. Just about everything we experienced found its way into the novel–pie eating contest, chainsaw wood carving, free ice cream, firemen’s water hose fight, sack races, and so much more.

Which led to remembering Jill and Clay (my novel’s heroine and hero) enjoying their Fourth of July in the novel with a touch of romance and a whole lot of suspense.

And finally remembering you wonderful readers, wishing you the very best celebration and wondering how you are celebrating this very special day.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

What is your favorite Fourth of July memory? Or most memorable Fourth of July? I’d love to hear about it.