Writer’s Life: A Funny Thing Happened

Does God have a sense of humor? Of course he does! But always in a kind way and for our good. Here’s the true story from an earlier writing year where the Lord played …

A Joke on Me!

“You called me to write, Lord, but nobody wants my stuff. I guess I’m just not good enough.” Releasing a heavy sigh, I pushed my manuscripts aside and grabbed my car keys. Maybe hanging out at the Christian Book Nook would cheer me up.

Unfortunately, my downcast mood followed me to the store and dampened my usual enthusiasm. I drifted wistfully past the novels and began picking half-heartedly through the devotional books before one pierced my blue funk. I read the first devotional, sampled one in the middle, and turned to the end of the book. The last piece quickly pulled me in. I devoured it.

“Wow, Lord, if only I could write as well as this author, I’d really be getting somewhere!”

I flipped back a page to the byline. My eyes widened. I began to chuckle. The joke was on me. I had been admiring my own piece!

Yes, I still have a lot to learn about writing and marketing manuscripts. However, these days when I’m tempted to feel depressed about my progress, I remember how God once encouraged me with—of all things—my own writing. After all, if the God who called us to write believes in us, who are we to doubt?

Lord, thank you that you are the God who encourages us, who has great plans for us, who leads and guides us to success as we trust and obey you.

“Those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing” ~ Psalm 34:10, TLB

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Dear Reader, maybe you, too, are guilty of being discouraged from time to time. About your.writing. About something else. Please know that as we trust in the Lord and continue to persevere, the God who called us also believes in us.

~ Beth

“A Joke on Me” first appeared in The Christian Communicator (August 2012).

he devotional book referred to in this piece is Sing a New Song complied by Mary Beckwith (Evergreen Publications, 1991–now out of print).