Embracing the Season by Sharon Espeseth

Later Fall Near Our House

It's autumn, "later autumn," ”I call it. The leaves have fallen and nature’s colours appear muted compared to the more colourful days preceding. The sunrise surprises us with a palette of pastel. A walk feels good, if you bundle up. 

I have seen many Novembers and I'm writing this on my birthday, which calls for reflection. The signs of my times tell me I also am in the "later autumn" of my life. The colourful days of raising children, teaching, managing the household and family, shopping, and travelling are vanishing. 

Hank asks me what I want.

After 43 years of marriage, the Norwegian and I don't always exchange gifts, but this birthday Hank asked, "Do you need, or want, anything?"

"No, I don't really need anything," I said, chuckling. 

"Jewellery? A new pair of earrings. . . ?" he asked.

I’d love a new pair of earrings," I said, in light of this being a special birthday and Hank’s offer to celebrate with me. 

What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asks Bartimaeus.

Unsplash

While Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus heard it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" he shouted. 

When others tried to silence him, Bartimaeus cried out all the louder. 

Jesus stood still and said to his disciples, "Call him here."

"Take heart,” they said. “Get up he is calling you." Bartimaeus quickly threw off his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus.

Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Without hesitation, he answered, "My teacher, let me see again."

 "Go." Jesus said. 'Your faith has made you well." (Bible reference: Mark 10:46-52)

Just as Hank asked me what I wanted for my birthday, Jesus asks us what we really want him to do for us. Our answer would be more serious than a pair of earrings, but my story is a reminder that Jesus wants us to consider what we are asking for. 

Learning to embrace this season of our lives

As we get older, my husband and I are facing more health problems. Hank, my senior by a few years, faced the first onslaught of the aging process. Being a couple, when life slows down for one, it slows down for both. Adjustments are needed. 

Hank and I pray about our health, especially Hank's health, but, as Hank's doctor says with a kindly smile, "I can't make you 21 again." We’re both trying to reset our minds regarding what we can realistically do. I've been slower than Hank to accept our new limitations. Since we can’t change what is, we need to change our expectations, and to pray for strength and guidance from there.

Last spring when I became ill with depression, again, and neuralgia, which was new, we faced obstacles in managing the basics. My doctor advised me to curtail all activities, including writing and music. Of course, I still wrote, but it was Morning Pages, for me alone. I still sang, but it was in the basement on my own. I needed to rest. Hank and I leaned on God, on each other, and on our family and friends. 

I feared something would happen to Hank. I feared being on my own after all these years. God assured me he still had "plans to prosper us and not to harm us." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Like Bartimaeus, I needed to throw off my cloak of doubt and fear and to ask Jesus to give me fresh “insight” as to how I must walk during this season of my life.

A message from The Message

Eugene H. Peterson in his "Introduction to Proverbs" in The Message says, “Many people think that what's written in the Bible has mostly to do with getting people into heaven. . . It does have to do with that, of course. . . It is equally concerned with living on earth--living well, living in robust sanity."

Proverbs 3:5-6 in The Message says, 

                                              "Trust God from the bottom of your heart,

                                               don't try to figure out everything on your own.

                                               Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go,

                                               he's the one who will keep you on track.

With God's help and his Word to guide me, I am learning to embrace this "later autumn" season of my life. He "has not given (me) a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) 

As Eugene H. Peterson might say, I plan, with God’s help, to live well and "in robust sanity" during this season of my life. I am learning to embrace life and what is!

Hidden in My Cupboard by Sharon Espeseth

Sharon's Cupboard for Unfinished Books One and Two--Google Images

Just realizing the blog theme of first and/or hidden books was scheduled for July 2018 jangled my nerves. I procrastinated. With the deadline staring me in the nostrils, I needed to come to terms with the assignment. For accountability to my writing comrades, I hereby admit that I have two unfinished books hidden in my cupboards. These books exist and are in the cupboard for posterity to discover or discard, as they so choose.

Book One is a gathering-up of family stories written in memoir fashion. Some have been published and well-received by my readers; others have not seen the light of day. Book Two is a book of devotionals for Christian writers. Perhaps those of you who have written either of these two genres could weigh in on the viability of one or the other.

Leading up to my scheduled appearance of my blog, I went into a tangent of accountability and excuses for why I haven't finished these two, or any other, books. Like many of the rest of you, I have legitimate reasons/excuses why they are not in print. But then, so, I'm sure, could others of you who have written and published any number of books.

At this point in my life--I am no longer young--I don't know if these two books, or any other books by me, will get written. That's where I begin thrashing around in my sleep. With rapid dog-paddling motions, I began the debate.

Was it other priorities that got in the way of writing, or was it other people that got in my way, or was it other people's priorities that held me back, or was it my  allowing  life to keep getting in the way? By my not being firm enough, or not determined enough, or not dedicated enough, did I let other people, other priorities, or other people's priorities control my time and efforts?

Around and around I went.

Over the years, I can relate to all of the above. But rehashing them is a moot point. Here I am in my senior years and I have much for which to be thankful. I would also be thankful, I believe, if I had books to show for my efforts, but I am thankful for my faith, my family, my friends, my computer, the sunset that is fading and reminding I should be in bed.These are the real things, whether I get them down in writing or not.

Over the decades, I've spent time with good friends. I've enjoyed sunrise and summer evenings at the farm--sometimes with my pen in hand. Sometimes not.

I've baked a lot of bread. I've grown huge and healthy gardens with my family. I've cared for my elderly parents and a few other relatives. I've stayed married to the same man for 43 years. And I'm thankful for the man he is, even if I don't agree with him all the time.

We recently celebrated 43 years of marriage

I've raised three children, adopted as infants. I loved them when they scraped their knees and when they brought me dandelions. I loved them through and beyond their teen years. Each of our kids have a big spot in my heart. I've bounced grandchildren on my knee and celebrated their "birth days" and their birthdays. . .

Our Jenny with her daughter Isabella
and her new brother Logan.
I was there to witness and then write this interesting story
for Celebrate Life Magazine.

Others of you may have done all of this and written books too, but that is your life and not mine. God made each of us as individuals and he did not mean we should compare ourselves to others. Jesus gave us a new commandment: Love your neighbour as yourself. He didn't command us to love our neighbours and measure ourselves against them.

If I sound defensive, it's only because I've been having this argument with myself for years and I want to settle it once and for all. I love the people who write books, because what would I have to read if good people didn't write the books. I have written articles and blogs and poems and so on, but I haven't tried to squeeze my thoughts, ideas and stories between two covers. So far, I am not one of those writers, but that's okay. I may some day get Book One or Book Two or Book Three written, but if I don't, that's all right too.

Right now, I am too busy living today and being myself to get all of that figured out. Like others, my husband and I are having health challenges. But we know that "God has plans for each of us, plans to give us hope and a future, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

I continue to seek the kingdom of God and what he has to teach me. I know "all these things. . ." will be given to me as well. Therefore I do not need to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own. (Matthew 6:33-34 Paraphrased by me from NIV)







A Word and a Prayer for All of Us

May each of us abide in Christ and learn that it is good to "Trust in the Lord with all (our) hearts and lean not on (our) own understanding." May we submit to God so that "he will make (our) paths straight." 
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

I thank God for his love, wisdom, guidance and promise. I thank God for "all these things." Amen

“The Joy in Writing” by Sandi Somers

When we think of our writing, we often focus on the challenges. This month we ask the question: In what ways is writing a joy to you?

Sometimes the answer is simple—making a list: “How do I find joy in writing? Let me count the ways” (with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning). But sometimes the answer is not that straightforward.

Let’s dig deeper.  

The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength

(From Nehemiah 8:10)

In June 2015, our InScribe Writers’ Online blog topic was: “When I write, I feel His pleasure.” This experience was a game-changer for me; I was sometimes discouraged with my writing progress, but ­­­through reading others’ blogs that month, I became vividly aware that God does take pleasure in our writing.

About that time by Divine Timing, I read Louise DeSalvo’s The Art of Slow Writing. She said that writing for a few minutes each day on what went well and what we have learned “can afford us insight into our writing lives and our works in progress… If we understand what went well today, and why it went well, we’ll be more likely to engage in activities that will yield positive results in the future.”

As a result of these two events, I began a journal of joy. I knew these reflections would help me overcome discouragement and instead focus on how God was pleased with my writing.

God instructed His people to “rejoice in all that you put your hand to… in which the Lord your God has blessed you” (Deuteronomy 12:7).

But can we reconcile “joy” with times we’re bogged down with our work-in-progress? Or when our hopes for success fall apart? Or when critical needs or emergencies take over and we’re unable to write at all?

Perhaps not. But it is at these times God brings a new perspective that will eventually lead to joy. Here are some of the ways God has given me greater meaning and joy.      

Dialoguing with God about our situation. “If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). The key is to pray specifically. The more I dialogue with God about issues, the more He gives me peace and a way forward.

Rejoicing in God’s love and plans for us. Just this morning my devotional reading brought me to Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope”. He has already made plans for us, and has promised to guide us.

Doing one small thing towards our goals. Our pastor often asks: “What is the next step God is asking you to do?” Sometimes the next thing to do comes as an insight, while other times it is, as Gloria Guest said in her January blog, “with continued effort”. As a result, both we and our writing become lighter and those “small, minute changes can turn into a wide open curtain and a room full of sunshine.”

Focusing on our readers and praying for them. People long to be encouraged. Many are broken and hurting. People need Someone to fill that void in their lives. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation through our writing (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). This last summer joy welled up as I began to pray more deeply for the ministry of our InScribe Writers Online blog. I prayed that our words would be a part of meeting those needs, elevating Jesus and reconciling readers to God.

And now it’s your turn. In what ways is writing a joy to you? What draws you to the page or computer day after day? What satisfactions do you receive, in both your unpublished and published works?