I just started a new women’s only Bible study at church. I’ve never done a corporate women’s Bible study, but this one has the works: small groups, homework, memorization… And…I’m loving it! Granted, we’re on week one, but so far this has followed that trend of me always always studying something that exactly pertains to what I’m going through at the time. Think it might have to do with God knowing exactly what we need to hear? I tend to be a pretty organized person most of the time. My comptuer desktop is ridiculous – I’ve got folders, subfolders, sub-subfolders… Stuff like: “Fiction” “Fiction I Started And Didn’t Like” “Fiction I Might Finish” “Fiction That Will Never Get Published.” And that’s not even going into all the different genres categorized in there! Needless to say, it’s sad. It’s a part of me that I find a little weird, honestly, considering that I tend to be waaaay unorganized in my thought processes. Without going into a bunch of details, if I were going to try to organize my life right now, I think I’d have problems labeling all the folders. There’s been a bunch of stuff I’d just categorize as “Unknowns” in these past few weeks. Here’s what I’m noticing about myself – I really, really, really don’t like Unknowns. I know I’ve talked about this before, and how it’s probably because we live in a society of microwaves and three-minute heating pads and pay-as-you-go cell plans, but I still don’t like it. I’m pretty certain I never will. Enter the women’s Bible study. Here’s a verse that stuck out to me in this study we’re doing in 2 Peter: “Do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day as is a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you.” I know this is usually used to talk about a whole myriad of things: death, salvation, creation, end times, etc. But here’s what struck me: Whatever I’m going through – good times, bad times, weird times, boring times, times that never seem to just resolve, whatever it is, it’s happening TODAY. But to God, today is only the tiniest little blip on the screen. Doesn’t sound very comforting? It is! Even though I’m totally consumed in what’s going on today, God already knows the ending. He knew the beginning, He knows the conflict in the middle and He knows exactly how the resolution will work out for His glory. We like to say that God is writing our story, but don’t forget that implies an Authorship – He’s got everything planned out for this book already. If you need to read the end, flip to 2 Peter 3:18. There is our mission. And there is our hope. Especially when a lot around us falls into the “Unknown” box.

I’ve discovered something about myself that I am not super proud of – I’m a time waster. Sometimes I do it on purpose, sometimes I don’t mean to, sometimes I don’t even realize it, but I’ve knowingly and unknowingly honed this skill until I consider myself one of the best in the field. This is not a thing to be proud of. Whether it’s the TV (I have a weakness for the style shows and the Food Network), a good book (I’ve been so wrapped up in a book that I didn’t even notice I’d missed lunch), or Facebook (ah, the international time-waster), I have perfected the art of not doing what I need to be doing. Everyone can always tell when I’m on a deadline and having trouble writing. My house is spotless (not anymore, with my insane puppy pulling every toy he owns out of the toy basket), there’s usually some kind of dessert or something I baked on the counter (blueberry muffins this time), and my workout routine becomes very consistent. But, as I have been reminded lately, this isn’t a good thing. And, if I’m reading my Bible correctly, it’s actually a very bad thing. In Ephesians we’re warned to make “the most of every opportunity.” I can tell you right now, I do not make the most of every opportunity. These days, those opportunities have become when my still-not-housebroken puppy isn’t wandering the house and I’m able to sit and work on a story for a while. However, I often miss out on those opportunities to waste time catching up on who was the best dressed at the Golden Globes instead. As I’ve said before, and if you’re a writer you know this, the hardest part of writing isn’t the writing. It’s the ability to sit down, turn off the world around you and focus. My 15-month-old nephew is the master of focusing. I’ve never seen someone so enthralled with a piece of tape – it entertained him for about thirty minutes. So, this is my new goal: Don’t miss another one of the opportunities God gives me, whether they are opportunities to write, opportunities to read His word or opportunities to share that word. And right now, with Kody finally asleep, is my chance to write. What are you taking or not taking advantage of? Have a fantastic week!

I once heard someone say they didn’t believe in writer’s block. I guess that’s good, considering I know Someone else to put your faith in. But if we’re talking about the existence of writer’s block, I’m not sure I agree with them. I think their point was writer’s block is too often used as an excuse to not make deadlines. Maybe there is a better title for it. Writer’s Distraction. Writer’s Laziness. Writer’s Too Busy Staring At The Gorgeous Sunny Day Outside. As someone suffering from the last one, I have to admit – it’s hard pulling my eyes from the baby blue skies back to my mind-numbing computer. Honestly, I think I’ve discovered the reason I’m so fair-skinned. The wattage glowing from this computer screen doesn’t do much in the way of tans. Right now, I’m attempting to write as much as I can on a new proposal and on the second book in the Maya series while Kody – curious little rascal – is sleeping on my ankle and not wandering the house trying to find something else he can play with. However, instead of getting anything done, I’m completely zoning out just like the little guy. In the past, I’ve been able to avoid writer’s block by making some kind of dessert or eating something made by a little company called Hershey and washing it all down with a huge cup of coffee. Four cookies later, though, and this particular method isn’t working. Maybe I’ve built up my immunity to chocolate? Actually, I think it’s because anytime I’m sitting for more than twenty minutes at a time now, I start nodding off. Poor Jon – last night we watched a movie he had been wanting to show me. Make that he watched a movie. I promptly fell asleep on his shoulder. I couldn’t help it! The lights were off, we were cuddling under a blanket and our couch is one of those awesome sqooshy ones. I think I way under-estimated how much energy a puppy takes. And he’s just one little puppy! My hat is off to women balancing kids and dogs. So, to those of you struggling with writer’s block, I feel your pain. And I’m making a cup of coffee in your honor. And on top of that, I think I’ll set the laptop down for a few minutes and spend some time with the One who invented creativity. Have a fantastic afternoon, everyone!