To have unlimited
time, space, and finances to indulge in a writing compulsion is the fantasy of
us all, but it seems to me, an unrealistic and pointless pipe dream. Unless, perhaps,
it sparks some selfie encouragement: “I can do this,” or at least squeezes a
little more time and money by judicious rearrangement.
But, believe
it or not, I have finally arrived at that writers’ paradise where all those
dreams have come true. Well, almost. Let me explain.
Being
retired, I have, apparently, all the time in the world to spend on myself. Mind
you, I still have to take out the garbage, fill up the car, pay the bills, and
suchlike, but really negligible time demanded by my married status. No excuse
here.As for space, I have my own well equipped workplace, bookshelves to hand, and a deep closet that can house a filing cabinet. No more fighting over counter space to plant my laptop. Ann, too, has her own space which avoids conflict with mine. Okay, okay! It is smaller than mine, but she likes to be near the kitchen. She says the juices flow while the soup simmers.
Last, I
really don’t have all the money I require, but the industry has provided free
publishing and digital printing that allows me to buy one or a thousand books
at the same reasonable price. The advantage, beyond cool costs: I don’t have
to fill my basement with a thousand books of every title. I can store the few I
need in my deep closet.
So, as you
see, I’ve got it made. So how do I spend my time? You tell me! I can’t remember
too well. It seems to leak out of every corner of my life. In fact, as you’ve probably
heard, I don’t know when I had time to work. And the writing I planned is in my
head, incomplete, unchecked, or still in the bucket.
It appears
that although I have all the time I want, there are more demands on it: others’
needs, recreation, family togetherness, that great time waster—in my opinion—sho-o-o-opping,
and, of course, ministry and time to enjoy the pleasure of His company.
Absurdly, with
all the benefits I desire, I still do not produce the amazing works of art that
you, dear InScribers, accomplish with less. It is not the availability or lack
of resources upon which great work depends, but on the inspiration God
graciously provides.Deprivation frequently provides depth to art, affluence often stunts it. It’s His resources that advance the Kingdom. What ever we have are only tools for His service. The bottom line is not our assessment of time, money, or resources, for He will provide whatever we need—much or little—to accomplish what He requires of us.
But, if I’m
honest, I do enjoy my comfortable space—for which I am daily grateful.
