Author Note: I was asked to write a devotion to contribute to a book published as a fundraiser for The Writing Academy. The book is called Daily Devotions for Writers. There are 365 short devotions written by writers for writers. Another OurEcho.com writer, Kathe Campbell, also contributed a devotion to this inspirational book.
Opening Doors
I placed a lifelong dream to write and be published on hold through college years, a short teaching career, marriage and raising children. In my mid-fifties, the dream became reality. I decided to enroll in a correspondence course that promised to make me a children’s writer. I sailed through the course and set a goal of publication within a year.
I prayed about it often, for I knew how very competitive the writing world is, and I had already lost a lot of years. I needed action, and I needed it quickly. “Please open the door for me, Lord” became my much-repeated plea. But the doors all remained sealed tighter than a jar of pickles. My rejection folder ballooned, and the acceptance one remained flat.
More than a year later, I sold a story to a children’s magazine after an editor requested a major rewrite. Happiness! I began to submit to websites for no pay, and I moved from children’s stories into writing creative nonfiction for adults. After what seemed like an eternity, my work started to sell, the doors began to open.
God did more than answer my frequent prayer. He also taught me about three necessary tools for a writer. One is patience, another is perseverance, but most important of all is trust.
Thank you Lord for opening doors for me, in your time, not mine.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.