I’m writing a story that may become a novel if it gets that far. It’s part of a choose your adventure project where somewhere in the middle of an existing book, you are encouraged to take the story on your own tangent, to expand on a series of books with one root story. If you didn’t like the way it ended, change it, continue it, or write a side story. Interesting writing exercise, so I gave it a shot.
The parent story was in a different genre than I prefer and after a few chapters, I realized its darkness was consuming my vision for the story, consuming my thoughts. I was fighting the same internal struggle as my lead character. Would this glorify God? If not, then they are worthless words on a page.
Doubts crept in telling me I was not strong enough for this battle, oddly similar to the main character and her doubts. I decided to put the story away, chalking it up to a good experiment. But a feeling nagged at me that there was something more, it could be special. Still, I wasn’t sure, so I let it set.
The publisher reached out to check and I didn’t want to tell her I gave up, so, I said, “The story took a turn I did not like so I stepped back to take a fresh look.” Not a lie, but not quite ready to try again, yet.
Then verses began to appear in my social feed like be strong and courageous and put on the armor of the Lord and Mark, Chapter 4:
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. Mark 4:7 and 10
Awakened from a restless sleep, I asked the Lord to guide my pen, that I may write what He wants me to write. Not my understanding, not my way, but His. Whether in a dream or not, I don’t know which, the story came back into view. As I wrote, it nearly wrote itself, though I knew Whose Hand it really was.
As it reached a climax, I knew how it should end, but there was a big hole in the middle. Nothing seemed to fit. Waiting patiently (or not so patiently), a thought came to mind that bridged the gap. Much more needed to be said.
It still needed to be molded, and the details were still vague, but the Lord sent the hint. He’ll take care of the rest.
How many times have we stared into a canyon, not knowing how to cross or how long it will take? Highlights and low-lights of memories came to mind. But in each there was prayer, and patience … and frustration.
The Lord carried me over some, and others, He walked me completely around. But we did get through.
It seems I’m writing more than a story; I’m writing the script to what I’m living. I pray the journey, and the ending, will be pleasing to Him, He Who waits for me at its conclusion.
Amen …
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