Small Steps Can Cause Huge Changes by Wendy L. Macdonald

 This month’s writing prompt is a pleasure to respond to because even though I’m still puzzled about which manuscripts I’m supposed to try to publish, I have been heeding God’s nudges to continue taking small steps regarding my writing life.

Small steps can cause huge changes. 

Whoever can be trusted with little can also be trusted with much ... Luke 16:10 NIV 

I’m practicing one of my small steps as I write the first draft of this blog post. Instead of answering emails first, I’m using this early morning time to write while my mind is at it’s freshest. Mornings are best because no one interrupts me. I can dig deep into the ink well of inspiration.

Another small step I’ve taken is to cut back on the social media posts I do. It has freed up time for me to write and edit my own blog posts for wendylmacdonald.com. Now I have more time to work on my bigger writing projects too. Plus, the time I do allow myself to engage on social media has been more enjoyable since I have more energy to focus on others. 

Engagement is more rewarding than posting—in so many ways.

I’m an introvert. It may not seem like it when I’m out and about because I often speak a slew of sentences. But it’s nervous chatter for the most part. I prefer it when I listen more and say less. My introversion often stops me from entering contests. But I need more feedback on two of my projects; therefore, I heeded the nudge to brave up; I entered them. The responses I get will help me decide whether to set them aside and switch my focus elsewhere. I’ve also braved joining a critique group for nonfiction writers. This is a small step that will reap huge changes for my writing. 

I’m keeping all my writing doors open. And I’m praying God opens and closes them according to His will for me. I’m a lousy guesser at what His plans are. So much about my life is not how I guessed or hoped it would be. 

But I have to admit my unexpected journey has taught me so much more about God’s grace and goodness than if I’d lived the kind of life I wanted in the first place: 

• God makes us richer for the losses we’ve suffered.
• Faith doesn’t shine until it’s been refined.
• The Lord uses the lean times in our lives to make our souls richer in Jesus Christ.  

I’m nosy-to-know if you’ve noticed small steps can cause huge changes in ones writing life?

P.S. I recently wrote a blog post about progress for writers here: The Pilgrim's Progress for Writers

Blessings ~ Wendy Mac   

Inspired to Wait Tables – Ramona Heikel

I have been working away on a few children’s stories this summer, editing some and finding homes for others.  As I try to find suitable book or magazine markets online, I often come across writer’s communities and helpful tips, and last week I spent some time reading the great advice of a very successful and prolific writer of children’s educational books.  But I felt myself getting more and more tense, as I read of this established writer’s struggles to get her latest work published.

Then it hit me: if this woman—who has published forty-some books in addition to daily blog posts and several lengthy non-fiction books teaching other writers how to write—has trouble with rejections, what chance do I have?  She is a full-time, professional writer, with accolades abounding; and yet she still gets frustrated at today’s tough publishing market.  And I, who eke out a few blocks of time here and there, and am certainly not focusing my life on writing…I am trying to get published?

What on earth am I thinking?

After a couple days of throwing up my hands, shutting off my laptop and sighing into my journal, I remembered what my brother’s pastor had said.  A few weeks ago while visiting my family in Colorado, I was listening to a sermon about talents and heard the term “low self-esteem”, something I’d never connected with talents.

In the story of the servants entrusted with one talent each, there was one who buried his talent because, this pastor believed, he was afraid to try, for fear of failing.  But as appointed servants of the Lord, we are entrusted with a fortune of gifts and abilities, self-esteem problems or not.  If we devalue the talents God has given us, it is a serious problem.

 

Another point:  Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, recommended that Moses select capable men to be officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.  These officials would be valuable advisers and judges to share the load Moses had been carrying.  Notice that they did not all have the same responsibility.  Were those who were given only ten cases to judge covetous of the privilege and honor of those who were given a thousand cases to judge?  Maybe.  Maybe there were super-talented advisers and not-as-talented advisers, but clearly they were all necessary.

Again, the New Testament deacons also had differing responsibilities.  Some waited tables, others were writers of the gospel.  I know I would have wanted to be a writer of the gospel, but perhaps I would have been assigned tables to wait...?  These were divisions based not on hierarchy, but on appropriate service opportunities.  The “pay” would be the same for each service.

This reminds me of a book I read and reviewed on my blog called Looking Backward, 2000-1887.  It was written in 1887, imagining what the nation would be like in the year 2000, in terms of labor and economics.  The author believed that every human being would be given the same pay, no matter what their task or abilities; the disabled doing the work they could do, and receiving the same pay as the highest leaders of business, education, science or literature.

This is what got me back on my feet, when I faced the fact that my writing talents do not match those of the most successful writers.  I believe God has called me to write, and I will write, and keep on writing, to be faithful to do my appropriate service to the King.

Photo credits: Painting of the parable, by Jacob Willemszoon de Wet, mid 17th century.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Workers_in_the_Vineyard

(If you’re interested, my 3-part review of Looking Backward starts here.)

Posted by Ramona

www.happilywriting.com