Trust Me by Tracy Krauss

 Come follow me...

Jesus' words to us are so simple and yet so packed with meaning. As I reflect on the year that was, I think about what that “Come” has meant for my spiritual growth and for my writing. In a nutshell, it boils down to one word: "Trust". I did not foresee--nor could I imagine--some of the circumstances I'd face in the year ahead, but looking back, nothing has really changed (even though MUCH has changed) because I am still trusting in Him.

Big Changes

My husband and I moved into a house that was still "in progress" when we suddenly and unexpectedly sold the house we were living in. It was an answer to prayer since we had been carrying two mortgages for quite a few years. Out of the blue, God brought a buyer to the house we lived in and so we shifted gears and moved into the other house that we had been SLOWLY renovating.

I must daily remind myself what a BLESSING this is. (Sometimes I must hourly remind myself...) I believe that God's timing is always perfect. However, the reality of living in an unfinished house has been challenging for me. I like order. I like neatness. I like things to be in their proper place. And yet... God is asking me to trust. It has been humbling and I've had to lay aside my pride on many occasions as I've felt anything but patient. 

Running To and Fro

After such a long period of not being able to travel, the second half of this year has been FULL of traveling for me. I've taken a long trip every month since August, either by air or by car, and have two more scheduled before the year is out. Add to that the many trips to one of the smaller cities near us every week for building supplies etc and it feels like my feet don't stay at home! 

Welcome Additions

We were blessed with three new grandaughters this year, including a surprise set of twins. (I mentioned it before.) We are blessed to have all four of our children and all ten of our grandchildren living within a two-hour radius. It means more running to and fro...

The Best Laid Writing Plans...

What do all these changes have to do with this month's theme?

I already mentioned how I've been challenged to practice gratitude, patience, and trust this year. I have been forced to become more intentional about counting my blessings. It seems whenever God wants us to grow in an area, He puts us in situations where we must exercise these characteristics. So, upon reflection, I can see a steep learning curve in terms of spiritual growth.

Similarly, I've had to throw many of my writing plans to the wind and just "go with it". Like Steph Beth Nickel, I love the planning process. Usually, my plans are more grandiose than I can manage, but I'm still quite productive. Besides some new books, 2022 was going to be the year of "Audiobooks". I took a course earlier in the year, bought the necessary equipment, and began recording since I do not have the funds to pay someone else to produce all of my novels. (I naively hoped to do one per month! In hindsight, totally not possible!)

Even with a reality check, I felt confident that I'd get at least two--maybe three--to market before the end of the year. 

Then I got Covid and sounded like a smoker for a couple of months...

Then all of the above happened! Now, there is nowhere, as yet, for me to set up my recording equipment. Any recording I try to do sounds echoey in the new house because things aren't put away yet. And who has time for such things at the moment, anyway?!

It comes down to trusting God's timing. Eventually, I may or may not get those Audiobooks recorded. I simply can't make something happen that isn't possible right now.

Upon reflection, "Come follow me..." is really all that matters. I can see God teaching me many things about patience, gratitude, and trusting His timing. I know if I don't trust Him and the process, the lessons might be prolonged, so I'm trying to be obedient. 

Tracy Krauss writes from her home in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Follow her on social media or visit her website for more. https://tracykrauss.com