Three Years Later–And the Time Is Now

25 Jul 2017 1 Comment

by writingcygnet in Faith and Spirituality, My Healing Tags: , ,

X profile photoYesterday. July 24. A red-letter day, at least for me. Three years ago, God blessed me with a miraculous healing, snatching me back from the brink of a double lung transplant. In truth, I celebrate this blessing every day, thanking Him for His grace and mercy to me.

These three years have passed so fast. God continues to bless me with good health and even continues to improve it. At the last visit with my pulmonologist, a pulmonary function test showed that I am now breathing as well as 90% of all normal people. Compare that to the 39% I was at right before my healing! The pressure in my pulmonary artery is also in the normal range. My doctors are still a bit mystified, but have accepted the reality of my situation.

As for me, what has happened in the past three years has gone far beyond the physical. During the ten years I was sick, the Lord taught me many things: trust, deeper prayer, joy–just to name a few. Those lessons have continued as I have redefined my life and searched the heart of God for what He wants me to do now that I am healthy. I am grateful every day that I serve a God who speaks to me through His word and whispers to my heart as I come before Him in prayer. He wants me to be in relationship with Him, He wants me to know Him and does not keep Himself secret or hidden from me.

I’ve known since my healing that I was supposed to write about it. But I still had lessons to learn and to grasp the vision He had for my book. After all, one does not sit down and write a book about marriage while still a newlywed or a parenting book right after giving birth. Just like in those situations, there is a learning curve. I needed time to process what happened and find my way, with His help and guidance, into this restored life.

The Lord has revealed to me this summer that I’m ready and confirmed it to me in a number of ways as I have sought Him. It is both exciting and a bit scary to be facing the reality of this project. I can no longer just talk about it–I must DO it. It is always daunting to face a blank page/screen. I’m already discovering that I must be diligent about using my “shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the enemy” (Ephesians 6:16). And the enemy has been firing those arrows at me in the form of fear, insecurity, distractions, discouragement, etc. The devil does not want me to give God glory and is doing his best to prevent it and keep me quiet.

Sometimes I forget to put up my shield and those darts hit me, especially when he’s being sneaky and hoping I won’t notice his attacks. But this project belongs first and foremost, to the Lord, and I will not be thwarted, especially when He gives me the strength to do all things in Him (Philippians 4:13). When I was still sick, I promised the Lord that I would give Him the glory. I did it then, and I intend to continue doing just that.

I’m still learning and will continue to do so on this side of paradise. I’m so thankful that I’m not doing this alone. With the Lord at my side and guiding my words, it will come to fruition. Stay tuned!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Silver and Gold

14 Dec 2013 Leave a comment

by writingcygnet in The writing life Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

As writers we are encouraged to come into the 21st century, making sure our presence is well-represented on all forms of social media, maintain our own websites and blogs, and arrange for an e-book version of our books. Many of us “traditionalists” struggle with this focus on electronic media and are reluctant to let go of our beloved hard copies. Few things thrill us more than the feel of a book in our hands and the scent of paper and ink. But if we are to survive as authors in this “brave new world” we must make some adjustments in our attitudes and activities.

At a recent workshop on building our platform, one writer asked the leader how we accomplish this without sacrificing too much of our writing time. The instructor, Stephanie Keyes, author of a popular young adult trilogy, outlined a sensible, doable strategy that works for her. She stressed that this type of activity helps us to connect with our readers in ways previously not possible. It makes us real and provides opportunities for personal connections with them.

On the other hand, I recently became acquainted with a young man in his early thirties. Steve is well-educated and a voracious reader but unlike many of his generation, does not own an e-reader. Why? Because he loves and collects books, just like us. Steve rarely visits a library. Instead, he feels compelled to own and keep nearly every book he reads. They are his friends, companions, and company. Finding another kindred spirit who shares my passion for books always thrills and delights me. It also proves to me that the demand for physical books will continue well into the future.

Many of us struggle with this great paradigm shift. Many of us are bibliophiles like Steve, yet if we as authors are to survive in this changing industry we need to learn how to reach out to our technologically savvy readers. Too often when such dramatic changes occur, we tend to react with an either/or mentality, forgetting that with work and understanding, we can, and must, strike a balance between the old and the new. Ultimately, it can end up being the best of both worlds. Or, as I like to think of it, the old adage rings true: “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.”

May we all acquire much of this silver and gold.

Beginnings

28 Oct 2013 Leave a comment

by writingcygnet in Uncategorized Tags: , ,

Embarking on a new endeavor brings both excitement and trepidation. Having to deal with a learning curve usually produces some anxiety. Excitement spurs us on to new experiences. Each day is filled with beginnings, whether we realize it or not. Sometimes it will be a big event like a wedding, birthday party, or get-together with friends and family. Most days our beginnings consist of the simple things in life, things that have never happened before in this particular time and space. It may be fixing the next meal, taking a walk, or diving into that new book you’ve been dying to read.

All beginnings have one thing in common–they give us HOPE! Beginnings by nature imply forward movement. No matter what our endeavor, hope prompts us to look ahead, to anticipate the process and the end result.

My life has been full of twists and turns, something with which I’m sure you can identify. As I begin this blog, I hope you’ll join me for the ride as I mull over the past and look toward the future, and that my musings will strike a chord in you. Find a comfy spot, wrap your hands around a hot mug of tea or coffee, relax, and let’s begin!

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