HALF A YEAR GONE! A Reflection
Wow! It amazes me that we just began the last half of 2019. I don’t know about you—but my year has gone fast! #2019halfgone #amwriting @donnalhsmith
Did you make plans for this year six months ago? Or have there been a lot of surprises!
Based on last year, I thought I knew what this year would look like. I planned to teach at writers’ conferences, at least as many as last year (six), and finish my ministry training school so I could start inner healing retreats this fall. Finish my third Christian fiction novel and have it published. Place in the finals of a writers’ contest.
That was my plan. But I actually trust the Lord to show me the way He wants me to go.
Two out of four isn’t bad.
Wonderfully unexpected things have happened this year that have my direction shifting some. I’ve talked about that in my Transition series from a couple months ago.
I’ll only be speaking at one writer’s conference this year.
My ministry training, because I decided to deepen it, will take an extra year.
I did just finish my third novel and sent it to the publisher—yesterday!
And … I placed third in the Selah Awards this year with Rose’s Redemption.
This year puts me in mind of 1971—1972. I was a senior in high school, and drama had always been my focus—the thing I loved the most to participate in.
But I also played clarinet—and in the late spring of 1971, God did my first answered prayer—I got a new, wooden clarinet—as opposed to a plastic one.
As a result of the new clarinet, I was able to take clarinet lessons for free—through a special scholarship. The fall of 1971 saw me in my first major role in a play—friend Emily Kimbrough in “Our Hearts Were Young and Gay.” I loved it!
Then, I had to focus on my music—because I was to play a solo in the State Music Festival in the spring—while directing a one-act play for Drama 3 class.
So, my senior year in high school was awesome! I was actively involved in both things I loved the most! Eventually, music won out over drama—even in college.
I feel the shift coming—and I’m okay with it—because realistically speaking—I know I will never be a bestselling author—because my writing is too different than what most people want. Plus, I really don’t have the energy to full-time market my books like authors have to do nowadays.
My Point: Colossians 3:17 and 23 say a lot the same thing. “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” And, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
At this halfway point in the year, look at what you haven’t accomplished yet. Ask yourself if that is still a goal?
For me, I’m working through my classes. Yes, I’ll do a little book marketing here and there as the new book comes out this year—plus I’ve already scheduled a couple of blog tours for my two existing books. But my focus is my classes.
Whatever I do, I do for the Lord. He’s the One I want to please. #2019halfgone #amwriting @donnalhsmith
Donna L.H. Smith 