If truth be told, I thought Jesus Christ would have split the eastern sky by now! After all, I’ve been told since the womb (1950) that His imminent return was NEAR. Well, here I am 67+ years later and I’m still here – the Church is still here and life is being lived.
Amen?
And, I am grateful and hopeful. The more time God gives us the more we can do for the Kingdom. And, for me? That is where I’m going from here.
God put a pencil and a dime store printing set in my hand when I was eight-years old.
In the 1990’s I sat on our couch every morning handwriting devotions for my first devotion-journal. I pleaded with the Lord to allow me to publish the book, A Pruned Branch. He told me to write and He’d take care of the rest. I wrote and I wrote and I wrote. And then in 2002 tragedy struck our family and my pen silenced as our hearts broke. A long season of grief followed.
Early in 2004, Holy Spirit, as persistent as He is, said, “It’s time to finish the book.” I did exactly what He told me to do – WRITE!
Now, sixty-years since the dime store printing set, the charge to write is still alive.
I believe there is great truth in the idea that whatever you did or dreamed about in your youth is what you were created to do.
It certainly has been true for me. I have done many things in my adult working life. I have single-handedly managed businesses. I have been placed as supervisor over a small team of women. I have worked side-by-side with the overseer of a huge construction site. I have worked for the President of the United States! (Read here!) I’ve been assistant to the President of a manufacturing company. I am currently the customer service manager of a small manufacturing company. And, in all these positions I was required to write: letters, newsletters, emails, letters to HOA members, bulletins, job descriptions, procedure, and so much more.
Writing is a HUGE part of who I am and what I do!
It’s what I plan to do until it’s time to lay it all down at the feet of The One who gave me the charge – I have a responsibility and I fully plan and anticipate fulfilling it.
This new year of 2018 I have three words to motivate me: diligent | steadfast | truth. I pray no one ‘on my watch’ will ever be able to say, “I didn’t know that, I was never told that Truth.” I want my social media to shine with God’s Truth.
After all. Christ’s imminent return is soon, maybe sooner than we think or maybe not, but for me and my pen?
We will serve the Lord!
xo
This week I’ll be linking up with:
- Inspire Me Monday
- Glimpses of His Beauty
- God Sized Dreams
- Jennifer Dukes Lee
- Tea and Word
- Seeking God
- Porch Stories
- Coffee for Your Heart
- Tune In Tuesday
- Heart Encouragement
- Dance With Jesus
- Fresh Market Friday
- Thought Provoking Friday
- Counting My Blessings
Hope Heart Home’s FIRST Giveaway of 2018!
Love this, Sus’. His call for my life has always been question mark-ish. Ideas that are on the right track, I think, but no path. Your clarity from your youth is encouraging and inspirational. As for me, I’m getting my temple in better shape to do His work and pruning my heart to draw closer to Him with no obstacles between us.
You keep with your writing. You teach with such truth in love!
Shall we dance? (a happy hallelujah waltz!) I believe we are ‘getting it’ one snip at a time!
What a faithful job walking out God’s call on your life! I love your words for today and I am fully confident that God will bring good things to you as you seek Him and His truth steadfastly and diligently this year!
He does, Becky, every.single.day!
My first time visiting your blog and I am so glad I did! I’ve always felt the call to write and have really just acted on these last two years.
Your commitment to pursue your calling is an encouragement to me.
Julia, WELCOME! So glad you came. I am committed, or should be? LOL!
Love this, Susan…………….and love YOU. I have a “writer’s bug”, but, not the talent and calling that you have and that you have walked out so faithfully. I admire you greatly………greatly. You go, girl! In Jesus’ Name and for His sake. AMEN!
Your comment means a lot, Kath’…
I love your word & purpose of shining with God’s Truth! Someday I’d like to pick your brain about how you do your self-publishing. Blessings, Laura
Laura…my brain is yours to pick! I do use CreateSpace and have learned so much. For me it’s not about “sales” per se, but about making the book!!! Does that make sense?
Perfect beginning for 2018!
XO
I know you – you mug lover – you just want to win!!!
Great blog Mimz! You always live out the things you say. Xo
Be still my ♥… granddaughter you could not have made a better, more encouraging comment.
Susan, you ask a great question > “Where do we go from here?” The answer is so easy and yet … we can make it so difficult. We shall go wherever He leads us. Truly. For He knows the way, the plan, and it will be good! Blessings on your year!!! xo
Joanne…wherever He leads…I will go. O! God let that be true.
Encouraging!!!! Reminds me of a sermon we heard at Grace. Writing was inside your box, rather than searching for that “thing” outside the box, you obeyed and honed your skill.
As for me and my pen??!! ❤️ That!
I remember that sermon well. Thank you daughter…
When I got your newsletter this morning, I couldn’t get my middle aged carcass over here fast enough to read all about you, and I’ve not been disappointed.
What HAVEN”T you done, lady?
We are alike in one way, and that is regarding something I realized about my working life a few years ago: every single job I ever held would, in some way, develop into a writing gig at some point. God has a funny way of helping us to look in the rear view mirror and see what we missed through the windshield.
Hey you, with the middle-aged carcass…I’m right with you dragging my older-aged carcass. I always love your comments – when o when can we have that cuppa and homemade pizza (don’t forget you are serving that when we pull in the driveway). xo
Love these three words! They go together well and suit you to a tee. Blessings to you, friend!
To a tee? Wow! Thank you.
Praising God you heard His call to write and obeyed. I’m surrendering to that call after fighting it for a long time.
No sense in fighting it Debbie, He’ll win!!! Or He will find someone else to carry your mantle. Been there, done that.
You are faithful and what you’ve been called to do. So thankful for you and your words.
Thank you, Barbie!
SO GOOD! I found last year I shrunk back a bit as the hits kept coming and I lost a little clarity in my call to write! Praise God and Hallelujah, I am back! (Also: THAT CUPPA!!!?) xoxo
Since I know God is going to give you grace, I’ll throw some in too – BUT GIRL? PICK UP THAT KEYBOARD!!!
I’m facing lots of changes in the next couple years so I have the same question lingering in the back of my head too.. Where do I go from here? it can be difficult to answer that question b/c we often look at our surroundings for the answer, however I have to keep reminding myself to just put one foot in front of the other and keep walking by faith and not by sight. thanks!
Karen, when faced with any kind of hard thing? My mantra? Do the next right thing. Works every single time. xo Thanks for coming by.
I relate. Oh girl, I do relate! I still need to work on that book that you encouraged me to dive into. God pull the call to write on my heart at a very young age too. Here’s to a new year of writing.
Natalie, THAT BOOK IS A MUST-DO… Let me know how I can help.
Sadly enough, my first attempt at writing a book was a Harlequin Romance–at the tender age of 14 (I knew SO much about love and relationships at that age 😉 ). Thankfully, He has me writing better stuff nowadays!
O! Anita, I thought about writing Romance back in the 80’s during my #formerbadgirl days – thank YOU LORD FOR GRABBING MY HEART IN 1992!!!
I love this Susan! The hopefulness of the sky split wide open and the return of the King. What a glorious day! Until then we are to take up our charge. The one thing God gave us and do it well. You were given a charge and I love that you are continuing to commit to it. So grateful for you! <3 Have a wonderful week. Great mug, by the way! I love the idea of drinking a cup of courage! Blessings.
Jaime, if He gives us the charge – we are faulty not to take it!
Oh, my heart echoes your thought….may no one on my watch be able to say “I didn’t know”!! Whether writing, speaking or living – I want others to be confronted with truth and pointed to the savior.
Happy Wednesday!!
YES. YES. YES. Jennifer!
Oh how I Love this, you are a faithful servant for Our Lord. My words for this year is….. Trust———Faithful. Oh Precious Lord, use me for you!
YOU are a faithful servant of the most high God…HM.
Dear Susan,
Oh, so much goodness here! I’m looking up for that sky to split also! And agreeing with you that until that happens, He has given us HIS purposes to fulfill. I appreciate prayers also, as I am close to finishing a book project with my friend, Anna. Jesus surprised me with that one just about a year ago! Pressing forward in obedience!
Oh I’m excited, Bettie…can I know more soon?
Ahhh, Susan. I LOVE your passion. Your post was just what my heart needed today. Thank you for that.
Hugs, friend.
I’m so glad to help.
I look back to my first real passion… speech, theatre, and writing. I use every aspect of those passions for God and in what He has me doing today. So exciting to see Him preparing me even then!
I love that Tammy!
You are the same age as my husband. I am 3 years your junior. LOL. One of my year verses is II Timothy 1:7 and my words are bold, humble, loving, and self-controlled (Spirit-controlled). Amen!
YES, Great verse for 2018. Thanks for dropping by, Amy.
That was good but for me sad, Sestra. I feel like I have so many “I thought I was going to…” Be a wife forever to my high school husband, be a up close and personal Grammy, be a Counselor to God’s people.
But my assignment changed, now I am wife to a man who adores me, Grammy and Great Grammy far away from my grands, and Counseling not to be.
Sadness? Yes…regrets a few but I will push forward and find a new Jeremiah 29:11.
Love and miss you Peggy. You, Susan & your mom have had a great impact on me and my family. Even though we may be miles apart I know that if I ever need you you’re just a message, chat, text or phone call away… and vise versa. You will always be a wise counselor… whether you believe so or not you are ministering God’s people in all you do and say wherever He may lead you. <3
I will be sure Peg sees this. Thanks Annette. xo
New season. New Jeremiah 29.11. You’ll find it Sestra.
I’m so glad you write and share your story. You encourage and inspire me.
And, it is you and excellent young women like you, why I write!
I need that mug! And thank you for always sharing all the truth of your story.
I know, right?! That mug is so amazing!
Kaylee, those mugs? aaaah, I love them.
You mug lover, you.
I bet you have a large mug collection!
I love how you found your calling and use it in every one of your roles. As I think about the job I am in that is not exactly what I wanted to do with my life, that is something I am working on finding – some part of my calling that I can use in this role.
There is always a purpose, WW. Always. Ask Him to reveal it.
Since I met you, almost 24 years ago, you have always been an awesome Godly inspiration. You, your sister and your mom have had a great impact on my life and on my family. We may not be in touch often but it is great to know you and Peggy are always just a message, chat or phone call away whenever I need you. (I hope you know I’m also here for you if you should ever need me). Keep the pen moving and the anointing flowing. Love you!
With encouragement like yours? It makes it easy!!! Thank you, Annette — means a lot.
“The more time God gives us the more we can do for the Kingdom. ” Amen, Susan. Praying we remain faithful to His call.
I have a story about this Crystal!
I love your story of diligence in writing. So many of us writers started at a young age knowing we’d continue in it. I have three words for the year too! Courage, Peace, and Trust. Blessings as you continue serving the Lord with your pen!
Good words, Amy. I pray that 2018 is a year of trusting God courageously and He will give you His perfect peace!
Love that God has wired you so deeply to write. 🙂 And that you will let your social media reflect that passion. xoxo
Nicki, I certainly pray that it will.
Haha I thought I had already commented on this post AND I did it without even realizing there was a contest. How about that? ♥ xoxo
Crazy!!!
I love your story of how God called you to write. I also love your faithfulness in your writing journey. God certainly knew what he was doing when he called you to write.
God has so much more for you and since he gave you three words this year, you are going to be busy.
P.S. That courage mug has my name on it. That’s a huge part of my identity.
Mary, well if that spinner stops at your number – it’s yours!!! Thank you for such an encouraging comment!
As always, right on target. You take one day at a time, one challenge at a time, let go and let God pave the way. He’s in control … always!
Always a pleasure when a gentleman visits, reads, and comments!
I did not know you worked for the Prez, wow. I am clicking over to read that. I love that you shared this, that you held that pencil in your past years and know without a doubt it is what you were made for. I have spent much of life trying to be other people, trying to prove my life. Oh wow how we learn, and it so fulfilling when you just know you are loved by God no matter what. The giveaway looks awesome too, how do we enter? These look so unique! Love you much, Susan. I am so thankful you are in my life.
You’re entered just by leaving a comment!
Susan, your story is a little like mine. There has always been a thread of writing and teaching throughout my life. Thanks for sharing your story and for being a blessing to those who read what you write.
Donna, a delight to have you here this a.m. God is awfully good to us, isn’t He?
I love your paraphrase of that verse at the end of this post! “As for me and my pen, we will serve the Lord.” Hehe
Now you’ve got that song running through my head: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, we will serve the Lord!
Ruth, everything…E V E R Y T H I N G we do is worship and service to our King. Our marriages. Our motherhood. Our grandmotherhood. Our homekeeping. Our writing. Our everything. Glad you’re singing. Some folks throw tomatoes!
My first time stopping in to chat with you and so glad I did! I’ve been thinking about what was the very first call of God I heard as a child….
Shirley, I am delighted you came over. I’d love to hear about that first call. xo