Finding a 'Write' Balance - Susan Barclay

I met author Bonnie Grove at a conference a few years ago, shortly after the publication of her amazing book, Talking to the Dead. I was impressed when she mentioned that she wrote while raising her children. I know there are authors who do it, of course, but one of the challenges I face as a writer is balancing writing with all of the other responsibilities I have as a wife, mother, daughter, part-time employee, and volunteer. I asked Bonnie how she managed to do it.

‘You’ve got to treat your writing as your job,’ she told me. ‘Make sure your family knows it’s your job, and that you need their help in order to do it. Get them to do some of the things you’re currently doing so you don’t have to carry the chore load alone.’

I have to admit that this has been easier said than done for me. Maybe I don’t have sufficient backbone; maybe I find it less stressful to do the jobs myself than to have to cajole others into getting the work done. My husband was already helpful and supportive, though I’m sure he gritted his teeth often when he’d come home and find ‘nothing’ done. My kids, now teens, support me more in word than in deed. They think my writing is great and they love that I’m published, but they don’t ‘get’ how important their practical help is to me. And they think they have enough work of their own to do, with high school assignments and tests, necessary extra-curricular activities, and community service hours to earn before they can graduate. They do have a lot on their plate, I admit, and they’d like to get part-time jobs to earn money for post-secondary education as well.

Still, my daughter will be in grade 12 this fall. She’s doing a summer co-op from the end of June to the end of July. Soon she’ll be applying to universities. Her study habits are excellent, and she’s giving her co-op %100 effort, but she’s aware that she wrestles with a spirit of laziness when it comes to helping out at home. I understand her struggle, but I don’t help her by doing for her what she can do for herself. And so I am finally nudging her toward greater independence. She is capable of making her own lunches; she can prepare her own breakfast. She can put things away after herself.

My son will help more readily when asked, but lacks endurance. Recently he asked me to pray that he would ‘ace’ his math exam. This after months of neglecting to hand in assignments or study for tests. I could not pray as he asked, but willingly prayed that God would help him to remember what he had learned and that he would have peace and a clear-thinking mind.

I heard it said recently – Charles Stanley, I think – that God doesn’t do for us what He has equipped us to do for ourselves. This is true. As someone who pursues the call to write, I must do what God has equipped me for, and encourage others to do what He’s equipped them for as well. It may not always be easy, but as I remember to look to Him, He will enable me. In my weakness, may He make me strong (paraphrase 2 Corinthians 12:10).

Please visit my website at www.susan-barclay.ca 

We Are Works in Progress - Bruce Atchison

When I worked for Transport Canada's Airports Branch two decades ago, my friend Cliff put up a sign behind his desk. It read, "WORK IN PROGRESS. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE." I laughed aloud when I read it. This sign, innocuous on a construction site, became so hilarious when placed in a government office. I couldn't help but admire the clever sense of humour Cliff had.

Sometimes I believe I should have a T shirt with that sign printed on it. I don't mean to cause people "inconvenience" but the Lord is at work in my life, as well as in the lives of the rest of us.

Writing How I Was Razed has shown me that I'm far from perfect. Yet Christ is continually sanctifying me. As with any renovation project, it's a messy process.

Various teaching ministries have shown me that there are no instant cures when it comes to character flaws and personality problems. The Bible shows this in the life of the apostle Peter. Even he became caught up in the movement to impose the commandments of the law on the new Greek believers and sat apart from the gentiles at dinner. Paul corrected his notion and pointed out his hypocrisy in public.

Likewise, Paul and Barnabas parted company when they couldn't agree on taking John Mark with them. Since such men of God had their problems, why shouldn't we less-experienced Christians deal likewise with the ones we have?

I hope my upcoming memoir blesses its readers in some small way. It contains the lessons I learned about who God really is after being misled in a cultic church. My hope is that it will prevent others from making the same mistakes. I'll doubtless continue to blunder in future until either I die or Christ comes. The best thing for all of us to do is to repent of our sins and try again.

There's Always Room at the Writer's Retreat - Denise M. Ford

For every writer who from time to time needs some extra nurturing...  I imagined a letter sent directly from our Lord:

My friend, you need a little rest, take some time and enjoy a writer's retreat.

I've noticed that day by day you remain ever faithful, ever resilient, ever courageous, ever mindful of my spirit cherishing you.

As we have wandered together, I have held you in my loving arms of consolation, promising that you will continue to find comfort, peace, and love.

Dear friend, I celebrate your offering of words with my unconditional presence, my loving gentleness, my endless grace, and my boundless joy.

Remember I am always with you, so whenever you need to picture a peaceful visit in my company, come, and relax in my love, rejoice while we dance together through this life.

I hope you know that every day you can come and spend some time with me at the “Lord’s Laughter Retreat.” Pause for a while, pray with me, listen to my heartfelt words…

Welcome to my little cottage, come inside, shrug your coat, you'll feel cozy here… at home.

Oh, the door, well it may rattle a bit, the latch is gone you see, oh and be careful of that step, yes it is quite uneven with wear.

But do come in, feel free to collapse in a corner, unpack your packages, and pull off your boots.

I've got a fire blazing just in there; grab a chair, a pillow, or that little stool.  There, your chills will soon be gone!

Shake the dust from those boxes of games and play a few rounds with me.  Let's laugh at stories, cry over worries, offer up hopes and lay down fears.

Upstairs the bed is turned down for you, your favorite quilt and pillows are fluffed; I even found a few of those old books you like so well.

The candles have all been trimmed and stocked, burn them all night if you wish; I'll put them out if you nod off while reading.

There's a bell scattered here or there from room to room, use them when you need to call me for anything-- a cup of tea, a glass of wine, a box of chocolates.

Down the hall you see my desk scattered with pens and paper; use what you will, remember or anticipate, procrastinate or organize, the paper's the same!

Wander into my garden, the birds will greet you there; amongst the fragrant blossoms they'll guide you through the maze.

And if you like, at the garden's edge, choose a path you wish to explore.

Oh no, you can't possibly get lost; each path may seem a bit aimless, but they all end up back here sooner or later.

Besides, I've made the time to put together this survival kit, which you may take wherever you go.

Believe me, I double-checked the contents.

I would not send you without the appropriate gear.

Trust me, the maps are accurate, the compass exact.

Oh, in case you're still wondering,

I have walked each path; I know what lies ahead.

Believe me,

I would not send you without your

Trust in me.

But you know, don't you?

You can always come home!!

To read Denise's personal blog and writing website go to:   http://www.walkingwithdustyanddee.com/

Facing the Giant - Karen Toews

I Samuel 17: a thrilling face-off between David and Goliath with the "underdog" winning, a captivating story for Sunday school kids and adults alike.

Who doesn't want to see the good guy win?
What isn't there to like about being a conqueror?

What about the background prior to this scenario?

- discipline and work: vs. 34a "...your servant used to keep sheep for his father..."

- courage and strength: vs 34b, 35 "...And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him."

- faith and trust from past experience when nobody was watching: vs. 37 "...the Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."

- refusing fear in the face of intimidation: vs. 44 "...I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field."

- acknowledging source of strength: vs. 45 "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

- declaring the victory before the fight: vs. 46, 47a "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth...."

- giving honor and glory to God: vs. 47b "...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel...For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand."

And that's what happened. vs. 50 "...David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him."

Who of us doesn't have a giant to face-down? Maybe yours is related to one of these:

A book manuscript that you just can't wrap up.
The unknowns of a new work/business opportunity?
Personality-communication challenges with family, work, family relationships?
Health issues?

Draw courage and confidence from God's power and the experience of doing your homework.
....and conquer your giant.