Tuesday, September 25, 2012

"It's Been a Long, Long Time Coming, but I Know a Change Gonna Come . . ."

Psalm 90:4
A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

This past Friday, I send my signed and notarized book contract for Book One of  The Glade to my publisher.  Not without praying over it first.  Wishing it Godspeed.  And, thanking the Lord for this amazing, incredible opportunity.

One which has been a long time coming . . .

I begin writing my novel in the summer of 2007.  An inexplicable do-or-die, now-or-never urge possesses me.  I accomplish enough and am pleased with the story's direction by the time school starts up again.  Too busy and distracted by teaching, I reluctantly shelve my book until the following summer.

It takes two more summers to complete.  And, the most awe-inspiring part of the whole process?  I am certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt that God, through His Holy Spirit, sits right beside me as I type each word.  Because, as odd as this may sound, I don't write the novel.

Through the Spirit, it writes itself.  I am but the conduit.

And, with a deep conviction in my soul, I know it's good.  It is worthy.  Yet, every agent I seek out is not interested in representing it.  No publisher takes the bait.

Rejections take their toll . . .

"Lord, I don't understand . . . You sat with me every single day I wrote.  Don't You want others to read The Glade?  How long, O Lord, how long?"

I read an article about the importance of writers building a platform.  I decide to begin blogging.  But, I have no schedule.  No direction.  Not really sure of what I'm doing.  Almost losing sight of why . . .

It is the month of May, 2011.  Sipping my morning coffee on our deck, I hear Him . . . Write a daily devotion.

"Me?  Really???  What about my book, Lord?"

Write a daily devotion.

A voice too clear, too insistent, not to obey.  And, I write daily devotions for an entire year.  All the while, growing an audience, gaining new and encouraging friends, and, most importantly, getting to know my God more intimately through His inspiring, comforting, revealing Word.

And, as the days and weeks and months roll by, I begin to see.  I begin to trust.  And, I realize . . .

God's timing is everything.

Because, He knows I have reached the conclusion that this book is not the end all and be all.  Nor the who I am in His eyes.  I'm finally understanding.  It takes time for all the manifold pieces to come together.  The way God desires His plan to unfold.

His plan . . . not mine.  His time . . . not mine.

And, just when I (note the "I") think He must want me to self-publish, He intervenes.  Quickly and decisively.  Out of the blue, three prospective publishers appear on my plate.

I query all three.  One responds.  Accepts.

Miraculously, with only a novel synopsis and the link to my blog.

The blog the Lord required of me.

All those days of waiting dissipate, dissolve like morning mist before rising sun.  This is the now.  This is the moment.

A thousand and one days in the blink of an eye.  His eyes.  His vision.

This is more than enough for me . . .
~
Do you trust in God's timeline for your life?

Will you pray with me?
We can be so impatient, Father, when we think we know what is best for us, our families, and what should happen right here and right now.  Teach us to rest in Your promise that the good work You begin in us will be faithfully completed in Your time and in Your way.  Let us enjoy and revel in every moment of every day, knowing Your grace, love, and mercy are more than enough for us.  Amen. 


43 comments:

  1. Oh, Martha.

    This post is a joy to read. On some level, I wish I could return to that kind of trusting relationship. I love this passage: 'Not without praying over it first. Wishing it Godspeed. And, thanking the Lord for this amazing, incredible opportunity.' Thank Him...we must always remember that. I've made the mistake of forgetting a few too many times.

    Thanks for the reminder, and congratulations!

    Take care, and do something to celebrate.

    Casey

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    1. Thanks for coming by, Casey!
      Yes, too often we neglect to give God the glory and to thank Him for everything. In Him, we live and move and have our being.
      Blessings to you and thanks for the congrats!

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  2. Congratulations Martha!

    Wishing your book all the success :)

    It is true as it is said; Sometimes God takes away somethings from us only to hand over better things!

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    1. Thank you for coming by, Me, and for the well-wishes!
      Yes! When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window. I am a firm believer in this, especially living through this saga.
      Blessings to you!

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  3. I am so happy for you, Martha. Congratulations...

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    1. Thanks, Sulekkha, for visiting and for the congrats. Much appreciated!
      Blessings to you!

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  4. What an amazing journey you and The Glade have had, Martha. I see how the Lord has led you to perhaps prepare a large audience ready and waiting to read your book already. Count me as one of the 'waiters'. Congratulations, prayers and much love.

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    1. Thanks for coming by today, Corinne, and for your congrats, prayers, and love! :)
      It has been quite the journey - that's why I felt compelled to share it with others who may be in that "waiting" boat, wondering if and when the Lord will move.
      Blessings to you!

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  5. Martha, so many times we ask of Him, but do not listen clearly to the reply. Everything will happen in His time, not ours. If we fight our replies, we tend to really go nowhere, we just sort of stagnate, wondering why our prayers have not been answered or why we aren't moving forward. I do believe that God has a plan for each one of us and it may not always be for us to know or recognize that plan...we just have to listen ♥♥♥

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting, Mary!
      Oh, yes, we DO need to listen! Sometimes, we get so caught up in the hectic day-to-day, we miss those all important whispers and nudges from Him. With you, I believe strongly that the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us, and a much better one than ever we could devise on our own.
      Blessings to you!

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  6. I need a little of that magic. Unless a person has written a book, queried, and endured the rejection process, there is not context. When I started writing my first book, I assumed getting the agent would be the easier part of the process. I mean, what could be harder than writing a book? Right? I've only been looking for an agent for the six months and so far nothing amazing to report, but the rejections.. can break a writer's spirit. Somewhere in this process the writer either gives up or gets tough. I haven't prayed or asked the Lord for intervention on my behalf. It's not something I was taught to do in Catholic school. Father McNamara had views on requests for personal gain! :-) Wonderful post, Martha. My writer self is jumping up in the air for you.. Looking forward to reading your book.

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    1. Thanks for coming by, Brenda!
      I thought so much about you when I wrote this, my friend. It can be such a long, disappointing process, but, see? All has worked out in the end. I feel in my soul it will work out for you, too, when the time is exactly right.
      Oh, and it's okay to pray about it. Just end it with "Lord, thy will, not mine, be done". :)
      Blessings to you!

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  7. There is a time for everything and He decides it. Congratulations and best wishes.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today, Janu, and for the congrats!
      Yes, indeed, there is a time and place for everything. I'm glad I chose to wait upon the Lord . . .
      Blessings to you!

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  8. Hi Martha:
    Like you, I certainly feel directed to write. My topics CERTAINLY don't come from me. Just as my blog's theme changed about three months into its existence. That theme change was also directed.

    You said:
    "Lord, I don't understand . . . You sat with me every single day I wrote. Don't You want others to read The Glade? How long, O Lord, how long?"

    My belief is that time is different in the next realm. What is years here is but a moment in the next realm, the blink of an eye. There is no concept of time in the next realm. That's why it seems to take an inordinate amount of time for something we want to come to pass on the earthly realm.

    In the spiritual realm, everything happened yesterday so to speak. In regards to time, one of my favorite scenes in the movie Inherit the Wind comes toward the end of the film where Spencer Tracy says:
    But you don't know how long a day is. It could be months etc.

    See? Time is different in that other realm.
    --
    Chris

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    1. Thanks so much for dropping by, Chris!
      I love how you've written here about the concept of time. I totally agree that it is different in the realm of the spiritual. We must learn to be patient and wait upon the Lord because all will happen in His gracious time.
      So neat, too, to know how your blog changed direction just as mine did. Wow! What a mighty and awesome God we serve!
      Blessings to you!

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  9. Congratulations Martha! I am really happy by the way things are going for you.

    The Lord really works in mysterious ways and that's how our trust and faith in Him develops.

    The Lord knows WHEN it's best :)

    I pray with you each and everyday...May God be known through you and your writings.

    I'll be waiting for the Glade. Hopefully I could get it and Leah's book :)

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    1. Thanks for coming by today, Melissa, and for the congrats!
      Oh, yes, the Lord knows the whens and wheres and whys and knows them better than we could ever dream. Thank you for praying that He be revealed to others through my writing. At Bible study today, Pastor Emily prayed the same about my book. Coincidence? I think not! :)
      You will love Leah's book, Melissa! Be sure to get it as soon as you can.
      Blessings to you!

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  10. Congratulations - and really looking forward to buying and reading the Glade. Interesting what you say about feeling that the book wrote itself. I've heard other writers say the same thing that characters seem to develop of their own accord and events and ideas seem to come from nowhere - they don't talk about the experience of feeling God at their side necessarily - but certainly the idea that it's not coming from them, the author. IT's been an amazing journey for you and the book and it's obviously not over yet! Well done again ! xx

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting today, Mum, and for the congrats. Much appreciated!
      It was quite the phenomena and experience for me. Glad you shared that you have heard other writers express similar sentiments. Wow! So, I guess I'm not alone in this. :)
      Thrilled, too, that you would like to buy the book. It will be published as Part 1 of 3. I think both you and your children will enjoy it.
      Blessings to you!

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  11. Martha, I’ve always known you were destined to publish that novel. The first time I read your biography on the sidebar I knew. Being faithful in the little things pays off, doesn’t it? But sometimes the little things are really the big things, in light of the eternal. All those investments you made in the Kingdom, those seeds you planted in the lives of others, those words seasoned with salt, they did not return void. I can hear him say it now, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

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    1. Oh, Debra, you are too kind . . . what a beautiful comment you have written here. I am both honored and humbled by your words.
      Thanks from the bottom of my heart for coming by, my friend.
      Blessings always!

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  12. What an amazing story of faith and surrender all at the same time. Sometimes it is only in looking back that we can truly see the path. Great post Martha!

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    1. Yes, Lynne, hindsight is 20/20, isn't it? It has been a journey in which I found my joy . . .
      Thank you so much for stopping by!
      Blessings to you!

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  13. Ah, Martha, I am so glad that you are publishing a book! Surrendering oneself to faith no matter what is the greatest testimony of a Christian. I am happy that you live the life of faith.

    All said and done, I cannot wait to see a post with the news that the book is out.

    And, the initial verse that you have quoted from Psalm 90. 4 is one of the verses that fill me with awe and amazement. Imagine the account of time!

    I wish you blessings and joy, always.

    ~ Susan

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    1. Thanks so much, Susan, for dropping by and for your sweet words here. So appreciated!
      And, yes, this verse from the Psalms has always been an overwhelming one to me, too. I love that St. Peter repeats it in his letter in the NT.
      You, and everyone, will know when the book is out. :)
      Blessings to you!

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  14. Oh my, this gave me chills for you, Martha! I am so excited for this new journey that's beginning on your Life Path! I don't know if every blogger aspires to be a published author, but I know I do. I, too, have experienced many rejection letters and the frustrations of connecting with an agent for my fiction and non-fiction writing. I know, though, that as with your path, my path will connect with the right people, in the correct timing, and all with Divine Purpose. I look forward to hearing more news from you about your manuscript becoming a published novel!

    With love,

    - Dawn

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Dawn!
      Yes! I have every faith that your journey will lead you to publication, too. It can be long-suffering to wait, but I sure learned so much through the process, I wouldn't trade it for the world!
      For updates on the novel, you can visit and like my Facebook page, The Glade, which I'm posting the latest news.
      Love and blessings!

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  15. This might be my favorite post ever on your blog, which is saying a lot since I like them all! God leads us in perfect paths when we follow in faith, leaning not on our own understanding (or timelines!). Thank you for the blessing of this post.

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    1. Galen, thank you so much for coming by and for your all too kind words.
      And, you have it exactly right - lean not on our own understanding or timelines. Trust in the Lord and His plans for us.
      Blessings to you!

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  16. His timing not ours – his plan not ours – his power not ours – I'm waiting to, plodding along and wondering about his timing, and if I'm worthy of it, and if I'll do my part as he does his part. I'm really glad that you're going to get your work published – and I just prayed over it now. God bless you Martha, and God bless each and every one of those in your care.

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    1. So wonderful to see you here today, Craig! Thanks so much for visiting!
      Don't ever doubt for one moment that you are worth it, my friend. You are every bit His child as any of us are, and He does know every when, where, and why for you. Trust Him to lead . . .
      And, thank you for your prayers. They mean more than I can say . . .
      Blessings always!

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  17. "Through the Spirit, it writes itself. I am but the conduit." - I love this. And this post is truly inspiring - an evidence of how God directed you to where you are now, Martha! His timing is always perfect!

    Many congratulations to you, Martha! And God bless you always! <3 :-)

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting, Irene, and for the congrats!
      Yes! His timing IS perfect. We are the ones who are impatient and demanding and need to learn to let go and let Him. I know that was the best lesson I took out of the waiting.
      Blessings to you!

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  18. WOW!!! This gave me chills. Thank you for posting this. I really needed to HEAR it. This gives me HOPE and CONFIRMATION, in what He has asked of me. Our obedience and His timing... collide. This is BEAUTIFUL. I am so happy for you! Congratulations, I can't wait to read it!!!

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    1. Thanks so much for coming by, Lisa Marie!
      I am thrilled to know this gave you hope and confirmation for your own journey. Yes! When our obedience and His timing collide, it's a huge wow!
      May He share His perfect timing with you. :)
      Blessings to you!

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    2. Thanks so much for coming by, Lisa Marie!
      I am thrilled to know this gave you hope and confirmation for your own journey. Yes! When our obedience and His timing collide, it's a huge wow!
      May He share His perfect timing with you. :)
      Blessings to you!

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  19. Congratulations Martha, indeed they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagle, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not fail...You have given me hope..

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    1. Thanks for coming by, Yvonne, and for the congrats! They are so appreciated!
      Oh, and you have quoted one of my favorite scripture verses here. :)
      Blessings to you!

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  20. Martha,

    I rejoice with you and pray that the Lord certainly does speed your work to its intended readers. I am proud of your diligence, faith, and patience.

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    1. Thanks so much for coming by, Andy, and for rejoicing with me. That means so much!
      Yes, may the Lord make the fields fallow for reception of this book, I pray.
      Blessings to you!

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