By Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2
This writing journey. This vexing, exhilarating, maddening, fulfilling writing journey that keeps us awake at night, plunges us into the depths of despair, and launches us to places we never dreamed we’d go, oh the glory. And the agony. And the joy.
It befuddles and besots, tortures and teases. When it beckons us with winsome eyes, we cuddle it like a puppy. But when that same puppy leaves a puddle on our carpet, we rue the day we ever invited it into our lives.
We swear we’ll never again open our computers—until the fuzzy fur ball tugs on the pant leg of our mind, shakes it a few times, and invites us to play. Somehow, despite our resolve, it charms us into rolling around on the floor with it. Again and again.
Some days we nurse puncture wounds of disappointment and discouragement and wonder why we adopted the puppy in the first place. We’d been warned it could bite us. But we watched others who enjoyed its company, allowed it to enrich their families, and used it as a way to connect with others, and we drew near. Fearful yet hopeful. Fascinated yet cautious.
When it’s good, it is very, very good, and when it’s bad, it’s rotten. Rejection letters, edits, and critiques, like middle of the night feedings and bathroom runs weary us and erode our writing self-esteem. Kind comments, emails of thanks, and requests to reprint, like grateful licks and wagging tails, shore up our resolve. And when the royalty check appears in the mailbox, the house explodes with tongue-lolling yips of joy, a tribute to the years of hard work and dedication.
We remember God’s challenge: “He who has been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2) and press on.
Whether you’re bottle feeding a puppy writing life, obedience training a half-grown dog, or socializing a pet that everyone loves, be not weary in doing good, for you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up (Galatians 6:9).
The Lord who created puppies and writers has promised.
TWEETABLE
Well said author. I've come to see my Christian writing life much like my Christian life itself. Like it, I must constantly seek to learn and grow. I must learn to survive the bad to find more of the good. I must endeavor to share my lessons to help others in their journey. Thank you for sharing some of your lessons with us today Ms. Lori. God's blessings ma'am.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, J.D., it is a race, not for the swift, but for the one who trains, overcomes, perseveres, and prays. One day we'll hear those longed-for words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And so we press on.
DeleteLOVE the comparison to the various puppy stages! Thanks for the encouragement to press on, no matter what puppy stage we find ourselves in!!
ReplyDeleteJulie,
DeleteMy analogy might just have had something to do with the latest four-legged member of our family, a French bulldog named Halsey . . . so cute and SO BAD!!!
What a great analogy, Lori. I identify with your words. Thank you for well-written encouragement.
ReplyDeleteIf we're honest, Jeannie, I think every writer can attest to the ups, downs, joys, and tears of the writing journey. Or, as J.D. pointed out, the Christian life. Thank God He gives us the will and the ability not just to persevere, but to triumph. Write on, friend!
DeleteLoved this Lori.
ReplyDelete