The One-Twelfth Mark
In a few short days, we'll be at the one-twelfth mark. One-twelfth of 2008 is nearly over. It's time to ask yourself what you've done with your 2008 goals so far?
You may be wondering why I didn't wait till the one-half mark? The reason is that the little things are the big things in life. If we don't keep on top of the little things, life will get away from us.
Take a few moments today to ask yourself the following questions:
1) Am I serious about my writing? Or, in vernacular terms, "Is my money where my mouth is?"
2) If I'm serious, does my activity show it? Remember: your actions will reveal what is really important to you.
3) If I'm not serious, why am I not serious? Am I doubting God's call? Am I doubting my ability? Am I doubting God's ability in me through Christ?
If God has truly called you to write, then write. Your assignment may be only to write letters of encouragement. If so, then write them faithfully. Or perhaps you are called to write for your local paper or your church bulletin. Then write faithfully. Some are called to write stories and books that will go around the world. Write them faithfully.
Whatever kind of writing you are called to do, do it faithfully.
Answering these questions will help you focus on the rest of 2008. The Bible commands us to judge ourselves so that we will not be judged (I Corinthians 11:31). I think that this verse can be applied to our writing as well. If we judge ourselves, then, when we appear before our Lord, we won't be ashamed because we squandered the writing gift He gave us. Instead, we'll be able to hear Him say, "Well done, My good and faithful servant".
And that's my "musing that matters" for today. What's yours? :)
Blessings,
MaryAnn
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Comments
Thanks, MaryAnn, for the timely reminder. I cannot set goals and keep perspective for my writing without thinking of you:-) I count this as a good thing, and a tremendous blessing!
You have a way of making everything we do matter. I flipped what I was doing around because I found myself procrastinating putting my chores first. Now I give God the first fruits of my labor, and it really shows in the quality of my work and my retention level. May all that we do for Him be done with passion and purpurse. Thanks for this important reminder, MaryAnn.
Thanks for the admonishment to do faithfully whatever kind of writing God has called us to do. For the most part, I can set writing goals and slog through them. However, God is reminding me that faithfulness includes studying his Word with that same tenacity. Otherwise, I have nothing to write about. Perhaps, it's time to set a few new goals . . .
Thank you! I hadn't thought about it, but I have already been accomplishing goals. I've been working on the novel I started last November, and I'm nearly finished with the first draft (which I hope will be as close to saleable as possible).
Pam, I hadn't thought about reading books in my target genre, but I've been doing that, anyway! What a great idea!
And now, I'd better go work on some more goals! :-)
MaryAnn and fellow Musers, what wonderful ideas and comments, and just in the nick of time for me, too. I have just returned to work where I teach writing arts, and I also found myself critiquing the first chapter of a colleague's first novel. For now, I am thankful to be working, and I am reading, too. Tomorrow, I will go to the library and search for different authors in my intended genre. God's Call is gentle, and I am taking baby steps in the right direction.
Its been so motivating just reading what everyone is doing. Thanks for sharing. You bless me. I have accomplished the following - written 5 blog entries for my new website site, that led to writing and submitting a query to write some articles about parenting adopted children, wrote and submitted 2 articles, exploring a writing course to take, began writing a children's story with my youngest child...way fun, finished reading 2 books one of which is about writing. That's all I can remember.
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We also have to remember not to compare ourselves with other writers. We all have different lives and abilities. I don't write as much as other writer friends, but I have a special needs daughter. I also babysit my granddaughter. I grab writing time when I can.
I also carve out retreat time. I spent last weekend with my online group. We meet once a year. It was amazing! Besides working, we also set goals. And the fellowship was sweet.
I looked over my goals I set this year and have already accomplished a retreat in January and I've read three books in the genre I'm writing. I've started the second book in my fantasy trilogy and I've contacted the agent I'm waiting to hear from to check on the status of my submission.
I enrolled in a mentoring clinic at Mt. Hermon and am waiting to get my prework for that.
I have a good start. Of course, I know things won't always be so busy or go so smoothly, but I will take advantage of opportunities as they come, with God's help.
I hope this is an encouragement to everyone. Thanks, Mary Ann. You always encourage me.