My Christmas Forest, Revealed by Glynis M Belec

I've recently had a story published in a Christmas anthology, Christmas with Hot Apple Cider (That's Life Communications; NJ Lindquist,editor).

My story, "The Christmas Forest," is a true account of something that happened a few years ago now. In a nutshell, my husband suggested we replace our real tree and substitute the 'alternate' kind. I was all over him with disapproval, until the forest happened.

I shared in "The Christmas Forest" story, how my real tree was eventually replaced with a myriad of miniatures. Small, Eco-friendly (fake) trees soon filled my home. I had boxes of memories that needed to be hung so tree after tree appeared in my living room. Before long each tree was designated a name, a purpose and a lesson emerged from each.

 And as the trees emerged with meaning, I soon began to see, realize and understand what the Lord was teaching me through it all. The first step was to slow down and breathe in the true meaning of Christmas. God did not really care about a decorated tree. He cared more about the condition of my heart. I knew my next step was to prioritize. To think upon the Blessed birth of the King of kings. I did it and started with the Nativity.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

In my story, I shared the lessons learned from eight trees. Here is a little overview of my trees and lessons learned:

1. The White Tree represents the purity of Christ, the sinless One, the One who creates in us a pure heart.

2. The Teal Tree represents good health and good friends, beautiful gifts from God.

3. The Heart Tree reminds me to be grateful

4. The Learning Tree reminds me about the responsibility I have in teaching others about why Christ came to earth.

5. The Treasure Tree makes me think of the treasure of family and how much I love spending this Holy holiday with them year after year.

6. The Imperfect Tree is a big reminder to me about how Christ was born unto this world to save imperfect people like me.

7. The Leftover Tree reminds me that God picks up our broken pieces and makes us whole again.

8.  The New Tree makes me ponder our new life in Christ. God sent His Son, and that makes me want to sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”

I like to have the 'New Tree' close to the Nativity scene so that when I glance from the baby in the manger to the tree, I’m reminded of how Christmas is an antecedent to Easter. So much God continues to teach me, year after year.

As I read my story now and as I gaze upon the Christmas external, it causes me to think about my Christmas internal. Joy to the world the Lord has come!

It turns out that the branches of my little forest of trees might not be the real McCoy, but what God teaches me through it all is as real as real could be. My heart is filled with gratitude. Nothing fake about that!

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call

his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

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

        How thrilled Glynis is to be part of CHRISTMAS WITH HOT APPLE CIDER - an anthology filled with a wonderful assortment of Christmas short stories, memories, drama and poetry.

                     www.glynismbelec.com

  

Voices in My Head? Glynis Belec

"You are a failure as a Christian. Your writing will flop because you sometimes forget to pray. You call yourself a Christian writer and you forget to pray over your work before you begin? How happy do you think that makes God?"

Ugh.

Those are the words, too often, that echo in my ears.

"Look at all the lovely Christian writers who you know and who dedicate their work to God well before they even begin. And then look at you."

The voices in my head continue their tirade. Distraction after distraction. They whisper in my ear and tell me that because I sometimes forget to ask for wisdom and direction first, then I am unworthy of assuming the title of successful writer. Guilt.

The voices are right. As a believer, whatever I write [do] I should be doing it unto God and not unto editors. How can I expect to be even remotely successful if I barrel on in my writing without a thought of God? Too often the task to complete gets in the way. Deadlines loom. Schedules demand. Editors call.

I hear about the dedication of other writers then I flip the switch on those wretched voices in my head again.

They play havoc, attempting to convince me that I don't have what it takes.

Then God steps in. He flips the off switch. And assures me.

The voices are wrong. Not one thing happens in my life without Him knowing about the before, the during and the after. It's not like I don't think of God. And He knows it. It's not like I don't dedicate my work to God. I try. It's not like I don't write to please God and give Him all the Glory. I do. I just do it out of order.

And thanks be to God, He forgives me for that and for being a fumbling, bumbling fool when it comes to not sticking everyday to an orderly routine of praying, thinking, writing, trusting.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 28:12a

One day I will have order and quiet before my day begins. One day my own perfect plan to please God will include dedication and kneeling. I know without a doubt I need God before I write anything that would proffer forth any iota of wisdom or sense. But for now I keep my heart stayed on God throughout my day and ask for Him to remove the chaff and prepare my words. I've realized some of the blessings of seasons. I've experienced the fallow, too. But I will trust Him no matter. 

Sometimes I let the voice of the enemy become louder than the voice of the Lord. 

I'm still working on that. 

I'm still seeking the right way to do [write] whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think [and write] about such things. Phillippians 4:8 

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell [write] of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

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

        How thrilled Glynis is to be part of CHRISTMAS WITH HOT APPLE CIDER - an anthology filled with a wonderful assortment of Christmas short stories, memories, drama and poetry. 

                     www.glynismbelec.com 

  

Reflecting on Resources by Glynis M Belec

I love my dictionary, the big black book

It's always been my friend.

Thesaurus is the second one, on which I do depend. 

Rhyme-zone, Inscribe, Fellowscript 

Are handy things to read.

Websites, blogs and courses, too, all help me to succeed. 

But most of all when I feel lost

And my brain goes on a break,

Prayer is on my resource list, with that there's no mistake! 

God whispers words that make me smile

He tells me to be still

And then He pours the words right in as I try to do His will. 

A few of my favourites on my shelf!

I have to agree with many of the other writers who have preceded me. So many good resources out there these days. I love to read how other people 'write' and also I love picking up quick tips, so I use YouTube for inspiration and direction, especially if I need hands on help with my programs or the like. I am such a visual learner so this works so well for me. 

Here's four great books I love having in my arsenal of resources. 

#1. My CHILDREN'S WRITER'S WORD BOOK is one of my favourite resources for when I am writing for children. It helps a children's writer choose exactly the right word for a particular age group or grade level. This is the new, 2nd edition and it is really a great resource that I use often.






#2. This next book - THE NAME BOOK - is such a great resource for me. It's a book from the 80s but to me, it never gets old. It gives all sorts of ideas for character naming including the definition of names, meanings, spiritual connotations and supporting scripture. Love that.

#3.The INDIE AUTHOR GUIDE is described as a 'roadmap to success'. I can think of another Book that fits that description better, but this is a very good book for the indie author who needs direction with all sorts of information from organization to publishing to building an author platform and SO much more. 

#4. I like WRITING PICTURE BOOKS because it totally respects children's writers of all levels. There's plenty of instruction on creating characters, plotting, working out beginnings, middles and endings, hands on revision exercises, tips on researching markets, and plenty more.


  And then there is the Greatest Resource ever!

A few wise words for contemplation ... 

Proverbs 1:5

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Proverbs 18:15 

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Proverbs 9:9

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 1:7      

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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

        How thrilled Glynis is to be part of CHRISTMAS WITH HOT APPLE CIDER - an anthology filled with a wonderful assortment of Christmas short stories, memories, drama and poetry. 

                     www.glynismbelec.com 

A Divine Appointment with a Tim Horton's Angel by Glynis M Belec

A friend sent me a private message on Facebook the other day bemoaning the fact that she was going to give up all this Christianity stuff because it just didn't seem worth the struggle. God rarely shows up to help when she needs it, she said, so what is it all about anyway?

As a fairly new believer, this lovely pal of mine was facing a multitude of trials and she was having trouble believing a good God would allow her to continue to go through them. She'd had a rough life. Her choices were just that—her choices, although some of them were made in response to a terrible home life. A search. A need to find love. And she ended up finding love in all the wrong places.

It was a tough conversation. It made me think. How do I answer her? I gave her a general answer about how God shows up at just the right time and how He really does have everything under control and then how important it is to trust and wait. But I needed more.

This morning, I believe the Lord gave me more. A scripture to pass on. And one of my own stories of how He showed up at exactly the right time!

Habakkuk 2:3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

     God is not a divine game of Chance. He has orchestrated our days. I remember the day I received the diagnosis of cancer. My entire life as I had planned it came crashing down. Everything came to a screeching halt and all I could think of was I would soon be dying of cancer. After leaving the doctor's office, my hubby and I went to a nearby Tim Horton's to have tea and to try to get our heads around the 'news'. What would we tell our children? How would our lives change? When will I die? How could we do this? What about my Dad? My work? My students? Our finances? A million questions and we had not one answer.

But God did.

I've written about this many times and the story still stirs my soul. As I sat silently weeping at the table in Tim Hortons, my hubby went to the counter to order our drinks. I was wiping the silent tears from my eyes and I happened to catch the eye of a lady a few tables over. She smiled at me and nodded. A nondescript persona - grey hair, about my height, glasses, a warm smile! Embarrassed, I quickly sniffed and wiped my eyes. I turned away, waiting for my hubby to return. A moment passed and I felt a tender hand on my shoulder. I looked around. The woman from the other table looked me square in the eye.

"Here," she said, "this is for you."

I reached out for the little piece of green paper she was holding in her hand. I unfolded it and read it.

         
           "I said a prayer for you today

            And know God must have heard.

            I felt the answer in my heart

            Although he spoke no word!

            I didn't ask for wealth or fame

            (I knew you wouldn't mind).

            I asked him to send treasures

            Of a far more lasting kind!

            I asked that he be near you

            At the start of each new day;

            To grant you health and blessings

            And friends to share your way!

            I asked for happiness for you

            In all things great and small.

            But it was for his loving care

            I prayed the most of all!"

I looked up with tears in my eyes, wanting to thank the lovely lady for what she had just done for my heart. She wasn't there. My husband was there, though. 

"Here you go," he said, unbeknown about what had just transpired. 

"Did you see that lady?" I asked my hubby. 

"What lady?" 

I explained to my husband what had happened and I showed him the paper. He read it. 

We both had tears in our eyes. But this time, they were tears of joy. Of gratitude. Of wonder and perfection at God's timing. It was like the little grey-haired lady in the corner was a representative of Christ—an angel. Vanished. Gone. She delivered her message and then she had moved on. 

Our conversation that followed was not all sweetness and joy because we did have much to discuss and plan, but our sadness was covered knowing that God was surely with us on our journey and we would get through it no matter what. We still didn't have all the answers to our million questions, but we did find that perfect peace that really does passeth all understanding. 

I still carry the little piece of green paper from my Tim Horton's angel in my wallet. I love sharing this story with anyone who will listen. I think God has placed it on my heart because He likes it when we pass on not only His Holy and beautiful Word, but He wants us to connect our stories and show others how He really does care and how He really does meet us at His appointed time.

            Isaiah 40:31-1 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Maybe it's time to visit my friend. I think I'll take her a Timmies ...

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

        How thrilled Glynis is to be part of GOOD GRIEF PEOPLE (Angel Hope Publishing) - an anthology filled with stories that help readers recognize, honour and celebrate  the individuality of grief.      

               www.glynismbelec.com 

The Search for Equilibrium by Glynis M Belec

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Balancing game. I sometimes think it is called the Juggling game; at least in my house. And some days it even shifts from juggling to struggling to tight-rope walking. 

But am I complaining? Nope. I am rejoicing. I am rejoicing in my season. I do get a little frustrated because of my lack of available hours, but I plod on and use my agenda faithfully, reminding myself that God has me exactly where he wants me. 

I think that is the best advice I can give anyone who is dealing with a juggling act - plod on and trust God! And use an agenda or list of some kind - device or pen and paper. Doesn't matter as long as you have a reference. Balance for me comes at the end of the day when I feel accomplished and see that I crossed off at least half of my list and everyone was fed and happy along the way. 

Summertime adds to the number of balls I am tossing in the air, too; my darling grandchildren spend lots of time at my house. But how can I complain about that? Just part of the joy of having a home office and a flexible schedule. [Not many know of my late nights!] 

Maintaining an equilibrium works for me most days, although like I said, I don't get everything done in a day and battle frustrations and a temptation to feel sorry for self and drift into a depth of despair while planning my own pity party. 

But then I am reminded by God's Word that, yes, there is a time for every event, including solid writing time. Seems no one likes to attend a pity-party anyway even if I serve a delicious dose of 'why me' and generous helpings of  "how can I cope'.  It's much more fun when I rejoice in where I am instead of whining about where I want to be. 

Juggling things takes effort. Jesus is a good place for me to look to see how to juggle things properly. He had the same 24 hours I have now and the demands on Him were greater than I can even imagine. I only have to cook, clean, write, take care of people I love, run a business, and put up with hardship now and again. Jesus had to put up with huge demands of the day, not to mention the weight of the sins of the world. 

Ah, yes. Part of my pursuit of balance is suddenly replaced by the realization that no matter what I do (want, hope for, long for, write on my list) it will never be perfectly achieved. All I can do is my best and remember that God is going to be there to catch me if I fall (or drop a juggling ball or two!) 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

With Glowing Heart ... by Glynis M Belec

"Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds." 

Isaiah 55:8 (NB)

Last week was indeed  a true Canada Day 2017. Not at all like I had planned, but a fabulous one, nonetheless. 

A month ago, I had my agenda tidily filled in and my plans were in place. I had been asked to help organize, or at least participate in a local Art in the Park event for Canada Day. I thought that would be fun and I could perhaps help some of our local writers promote their work too, so I jumped in. The plan was also for me to have a book table decorated to the nines with my newest publishing hurrah - a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul Spirit of Canada. Perfect timing for my new Canadian title. I was excited and hoped to sell a lot of books.

Shortly after I had said 'sure thing,' though, I found out my daughter was going to be moving that very day. So I had to break it to the organizers that I was backing out. I felt bad but it was a case of priorities and I had to help. 

However, my plan was to pop by and enjoy Art in the Park later in the day, and help out if I got back in time. So all seemed well, all things considered. 

Then, wouldn't you know it, things switched again. Plans fell through for my daughter. I felt badly but then I thought perhaps I could recommit to helping out on Canada Day. I didn't jump in head first this time. I merely mentioned I might be able to come to help out on the day, in case things turned around for my daughter. The gal who had contacted me was so kind and told me to come if I was able. She would save a spot. So I planned again. 

But I shouldn't have bothered. 

It's not that things turned around for my daughter. 

It was my Dad this time. He had a bit of a turn - well a succession of turns and the short story is he ended up being put on a heart monitor. So there went any plans of my own. This was just prior to Canada Day. And I knew that I couldn't leave Dad for any extended time so it looked like I had to cancel everything. I did. 

As we did our devotions that morning, I remarked to Happy Hubby, who was also heading out to do some catch up on some work of his own, how differently the day turned out to what I had planned. 

"That's sometimes how God works," he said, kissing me farewell and leaving me contemplating. 

It was a good thing I stayed home, too. Dad ended up having a dizzy spell and his heart was racing just as I was helping him up. Right away I had to get him to lie in bed for a while and follow the doctor's instructions. Eventually things settled down and all was quiet in paradise. 

Later, once Dad seemed okay and I had given him breakfast and got a few things done in the kitchen, I went to the back patio door and stood quietly for a minute looking at my garden and the impending black clouds that loomed near. I was feeling a little frustrated and thinking about how my plans didn't work at all. I didn't get to help my daughter move. I didn't help with Art in the Park. I didn't get to set up my table and sell all those books that I had planned on selling. I didn't get to partake in typical Canada Day celebrations. And it looked like rain. 

Then I heard it. At first I thought I was imagining it. 

It started out soft and low. A solitary sound of a trumpet playing O Canada - and it drifted across our subdivision to my back porch. I opened the screen door and stepped outside, still in my pjs.  My heart stood to attention. My body followed suit as O Canada got progressively louder. Three times the distant trumpeter played it. For three minutes I stayed still. Smiling. Listening. Appreciating. 

I thanked God for sending me that special gift Canada Day morning. It seemed to focus me. Reminding me about my glowing heart and how God keeps our land glorious and free! 

The rest of my day was not at all as I had originally planned. I did the laundry. I wrote a little bit. I cleaned our bedroom, and sorted through things I had kept putting off. I cleaned the pantry. Wrote some more. Ran an online Oh Canada Trivia Challenge. Made some muffins. Smiled a lot. Counted Blessings. 

Not a day that I had planned. But it was such a peaceful, fulfilling, relaxing kind of day that I had not experienced in a long time. I kept thinking about the trumpeter. And O Canada. And the way God's plans are not our plans. Gratitude. 

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

                                     Glynis

The Third Day by Glynis M. Belec

When she saw the angel, she was troubled at his words. She thought about what had been said.  The angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. See! You are to become a mother and have a Son. You are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat.  He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end. Luke 1:29-33

~+~

A mother isn't supposed to feel this kind of pain. Like a searing knife tearing at her womb, the agony consumes her. She wishes it was her hanging there, not the broken body of her beloved Son. The Son who brought her such joy. The Boy-child who was impressed in her by the Holy Spirit.  

It was a rocky beginning. The finger pointing. The accusations but she and Joseph got through because they understood fragments of what lay behind the gossamer veil of death. God had spoken The Angels had breathed hushed, assuring words in both their hearts—so they knew.

Then the palm branches strewn in mocked veneration.

But the cross? The place of the skull.

The Angel had said their beloved Son would sit in the place where His early father, David, sat. He would be King over the family of Jacob. Would that not mean a changed world where the Gift of her Son would reign forevermore? Pure Love would cleanse the world.

But there are only nails. Broken bones. A crown of thorns. Insult after insult.

The blood trickles marring her son’s olive skin and she weeps some more. Is this what God promised? Was it a failed experiment? Did God now regret the plan? Heaven was silent.

“IT IS FINISHED.”

At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split. Matthew 27:51

The mother’s heart grieves. Vomit rises as she falls prostrate begging for relief.

A touch on the shoulder—from the one her Son loved. Instructed to care. Her tears bog her in the soggy mire. The one He instructed to care scoops up the soul-crushed woman. She clings to her new son.

She feels a heart beating the message as he carries her homeward. His heart whispers for her to wait ... and all will be revealed. 

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 16:21

The third day. Is coming …

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 

Philippians 3:10-11

Part way through the Lenten season. I lay prostrate on my own bed. A mother. Learning to trust. Knowing it wasn’t a mistake because—the Third Day is coming.

My tears are for my children. I see their pain. My tears are for the world. I hear the horror. My tears are for Christ. Mothers want to fix things. But I learn. The foot of the Cross. I sit. I place my tears.

The breath of death ushering in New Life.

The Third Day approaches … 

~+~

writer@glynisbelec.com 

www.glynisbelec.com

The Plan by Glynis M Belec

I just about fell off my new office chair when I saw the prompt for this month. You know the one about staying on track and handling unfinished projects. And then the major guilt trip about how God might be prompting me to finish the unfinished projects (the guilt trip part was my doing). Ugh. 

I have SO many unfinished projects and manuscripts that if I died tomorrow my family would really discover the wayward, procrastinating 'brain' they called wife and mother. Come to think of it, maybe it wouldn't be a huge shock. They are used to my spurts of energy and brilliant ideas interspersed with a million things in any given week. Let's just say they could put it all together and create a small library! 

I guess, maybe what I am trying to say is I have a lot on the go, so pacing myself is a biggie. Staying on track is a struggle but I find if I keep my agenda current it helps. I prepare an agenda every night for the next day. It's the only way I can function properly. Lists make me focus. I always have a hundred incredible ideas that explode on a page but usually I can't find enough time to complete them and I am afraid I will forget them. So I have learned my green 'idea' ledger is the best place for me to begin the initial explosion. 

When I get that 'Full Brain Feeling' that's when I stop and pause and remember that my plans don't always measure up with God's. Then I pray. Then I stop flitting for a minute. Then I trust all over again.  

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you 

and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

I listened to my hubby give the message this past weekend in a local church. His topic was on service. At one point he spoke about how service, in whatever form it takes consists of seven essential elements. I liked that approach and started thinking of these elements from a writerly perspective and decided it might be a jolly good way for me to regroup. 

1. Willingness

     Is my motivation pure and right and am I willing to allow the Holy Spirit to led me to complete the project I am supposed to complete? 

     For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
2 Corinthians 8:12

2. Attitude

     Do I have a good attitude about my gift and am I striving for excellence that glorifies God and not self? 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

3. Compassion

     Am I making my writing life all about me or am I making sure I take the time to help other writers who might benefit from my experience? 

     Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts... Colossians 3:12a

4. Organization

     Do I plan? Are the goals I set - even the daily ones - realistic and attainable? Is my workspace clear and uncluttered (is my brain uncluttered?) Do I keep current in my craft? God is a God of order. am I striving for that?

    But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

5. Tasks

     Do I just talk about the great things I could do or write or do I actually do them? Talking is merely procrastination. The proof is in the pudding. How's my work ethic. Do I keep deadlines? 

     Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

6. Flexibility

     I am called to write. But first I am called to love. I haven't to feel guilty if I put a project on hold, temporarily to help someone with a greater need. Random acts of kindness can't wait. 

     For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Phillipians 2:13

7. Obedience

     Am I really writing what God wants me to? If I believe my words are a gift from God and He has given me the ability and the opportunity to pour the on a page, it's my responsibility to follow through. Am I trusting and obeying? 

    But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29

 ~

          So I guess now that I have laid out 'the plan,' it's in my lap now. Note to self: Check back in a year to see if I practiced what I preached. 

I'm trying. Really. 

         How about you? 

                                     ~