Seriously by Glynis M Belec

I just did the math. I've been writing seriously for 30 years.

Seriously? It's been that long?

Funny thing, too, 30 years ago we moved to Drayton.

And 30 years ago I dedicated my life to the Lord. Hmmm. Coincidence? Nah. I believe God had it all orchestrated.

I remember when we answered the ad for a century stone farmhouse all those years ago. Happy Hubby and I both looked at each other and said - "Where the dickens is Drayton?"

But we haven't looked back. We've moved a few times over the years, but our telephone number has remained the same. My passion for words was stirred and I believe God ignited that dormant writing spirit within.

When I stood before God at three o'clock that morning 30 years ago in my dark kitchen illumined only by His presence I knew in my heart this was no small step. It was a step that would change the course of my life forever. A step for which God had been preparing me. A step that would forge my future and determine my destiny.

I was ready, although I did not know what to expect. My problems remained. My financial situation didn't change. But my heart did and then my desire to pour words on the page intensified. My heart wasn't telling fibs. God was nudging me into places where I never thought I would tread.  

I think my first official next 'small step' in my writing life was discovering people actually liked to read what I wrote. Nothing like a little encouragement, I always say. My supposed one time 'knees-a-knocking' submission to our local newspaper ended up being an eleven year paying gig - a column called Sugar and Spice. I was thrilled. And it opened up so many doors for me. I took baby step after baby step and before I knew it I was getting published and interviewing people and sending out proposals and query letters. God was opening door after door and I was learning plenty.

Sometimes I would barrel along on my own steam. God soon put a halt to that. Often I felt a small voice whispering things like, "Did you even think of me once during this interview?" or "Did you pray before you mailed that query off?" or "Do you really think a rejection in writing is the end of the world?"

Those were times I knew I had to backup, rewind and wait for God. 

My writing life has consisted most of baby steps and some plodding. There have been a few fantastically frenzied moments, but mostly as long as I took the time to be still and listen for God's direction, things have been good.  The past few years God opened wide a door for me to become a speaker and I love it. I never thought that I would be so comfortable standing before a group of people sharing my stories (without a script and a specific character) but oh how I love to do that now. And having such speaking opportunities allows more people to realize my writing. God sure works all things for good. 

There was no magic wand; nothing I did; no process I put into place. It was God. It was one small step for this writer and one giant leap that would make a difference for the rest of my life!

But has it really been 30 years? Seriously? What a ride. 

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

Psalm 37:23

Glynis lives, loves, laughs and does an awful lot of reading, writing, publishing and praying in her home office. 

Her latest children's book, which happened to be shortlisted for a Word Guild award in the Children's category - Hopeful Homer - offers hope and encouragement to never ever give up!