Direct My Writing Paths

by Crystal Bowman

Fresh out of college, with a math-science degree in education, I pouted as I drove into the parking lot of Little Angel’s Nursery School. Teaching preschoolers was not what I had in mind while challenging my brain in calculus and chemistry classes. But it was the only job I could get. At twenty-two years old, it was the first time I questioned God. 

As days, weeks, and months passed, I discovered that I loved teaching preschool children and that God had equipped me to reach them. I enjoyed sharing songs and stories I made up, and seeing the children respond positively to my words was exciting. As more weeks and months clicked away, I smiled as the children glued Fruit Loops onto green paper Christmas trees and made snowmen pictures with cotton balls and glitter. When Tommy asked me to marry him, and Stevie wanted me to be his other mommy, I no longer questioned God. I realized this is what He had created me to do.

Looking Back

It wasn’t until twenty years later, that I fully realized God’s divine direction in my life. Those years of teaching preschool and writing songs and stories provided the foundation for my calling as a children’s writer. God knew what he was doing, even though I didn’t see it at the time.

It’s been a lesson in trust that I continue to learn. So often I don’t know why God allows things to happen. And sometimes my life gets redirected in a way I didn’t choose. But God’s ways are higher (and better) than my ways, and as time goes on, I see that His direction in my life is His divine plan for me.

Peace on the Writing Path

As opportunities for writing come and go, as doors open and close, as contracts and “no thank yous” fill my inbox, I have learned to trust God and let him direct my writing paths. Of course, we need to let God direct every area of our lives but writing and publishing are so unpredictable and constantly changing. I’m thankful God is in control. 

Submitting to God’s direction in my writing life allows me to have peace. If I receive a contract, I praise God. If I don’t, I praise God anyway. Sometimes a manuscript is used in a different way than I had intended, and sometimes one writing opportunity leads to another. So writers, keep doing what God has called and equipped you to do. Go through the doors He opens for you, even if it’s not what you had in mind. Trust in His ways because they are always best. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

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Direct My Writing Paths, encouragement from Crystal Bowman on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Crystal Bowman is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 100 books for children and four nonfiction books for women. She also writes lyrics for children’s piano music and is a monthly contributor to Clubhouse Jr. Magazine. She loves going to schools to teach kids about poetry. She also speaks at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups and teaches workshops at writers’ conferences. When she is not writing or speaking, she enjoys going for walks, working out at the gym, and eating ice cream. She and her husband live in Michigan and have seven huggable grandkids. 

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