Writing Withdrawals
Today I went to WIN, my local writer’s meeting. We’re going through Donald Maass’, Writing the Breakout Novel workbook. Only problem is I’m not writing a novel right now. One of my struggles has been whether to attend this meeting, so I went to see how I’d feel. After sharing with the group about not writing, I shared about a book I was brainstorming, not knowing if I’d sound hypocritical. But I didn’t care. I got so excited about this new idea I had to have some kind of outlet. I figured going through the workbook with a novel I wasn’t actually writing would be safe enough.
As I talked about my proposed WIP, I felt like a teenager in love. My heart rate increased, and I felt anxious and excited to talk about it. My insides felt a little jittery, but that could have been from the half a dozen chocolate coated coffee beans I ate before the meeting to wake me up!
The writer inside of me stirred as I sat through the meeting, but through it all I felt the peace of God. I listened to the writer raves of others, and I can honestly say I felt happy for them. Usually I get a little anxious about my own career, but as I sat across from a writer who just showed off her first grandchild and has had several books published in the last couple of years with contracts continuing to come in, I felt God whisper to me, “See, there’s plenty of time for you.”
So why are so many of us anxious? Why do we want what others have, and miss the joys of what we do have? That’s how it is for me more times than I care to admit. So many moms whose little ones are grown and gone often tell me “enjoy them while they’re young, because they grow up so fast.” I know that’s true so as I walk out this season in my writing life, I’ll try and focus on the gift that God is really giving me. The gift of more time with my children. I know one day I will look back and not feel any regret from pulling away from my writing.
I know others may not agree with this philosophy of giving up things for the sake of your children. My friend, Paula, has a post about it on her blog. But I know that God will honor our selfless sacrifices to our children and bless us with more than we could possibly dream ourselves.
