Learning in Colorado

As I write this I'm in the state of Colorado, in Manitou Springs, on a snowy, beautiful day. It's breathtaking to be up close with the snow covered mountains, and Pike's Peak in easy view. Well, Pike's Peak isn't exactly visible with the clouds hovering at the peaks right now. :) I prayed for it to snow while I was here.

I've been here since Wednesday and will be leaving tomorrow afternoon. I've had the opportunity for fellowship, learning and stretching through a writer's conference/residency. A good bit of the material I was already familiar with, but I've learned some exciting things this past day that will help my future writing career. I'm blessed by the opportunity I had to participate.

I love the many different ways that God provides opportunities for learning and growth each day. Sometimes we aren't as excited about the path He puts us on. It may be painful or riddled with complications and stress, but He always knows what is best for us.

When I return home I know there will be many things demanding my attention again. But I praise Him for the opportunity for growth and learning and a respite from things for a short time. I pray that God will use the things I've learned as He continues to guide me along this writing path.

Stepping Past Fear

Writing can be a difficult thing. I think a lot of writers struggle with fear and insecurity from time to time. (Please don't tell me I'm the only one!) :) Fear of rejection, insecurity of knowing whether you'll be able to produce material as good/great as you wrote before.... The list can go on and on of ways that Satan tries to discourage us from succeeding in the areas where God has called us - to write for Him.

Each time I sit down at the keyboard to work on my current revisions, I have to remind myself yet again, to not give in to those fears. It's a struggle as I try to get back into my characters of a story I wrote over eight months ago. I have to refresh my memory as I try to craft new scenes to replace ones that need to be rewritten.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13b-14

Lord, help me to focus on that one thing - straining toward what is ahead, to the goal, to the prize. May I rest in you as I strive toward what you have for me.