Tricia, Boston 2006
Recently, I was asked on an on-line interview how my life has changed since having these books published. That really got me thinking.
I do spend a lot of time writing . . . but I did that as I was seeking publication. I also have publishers contacting me with book projects, which is nice. But when it comes to my personal, day-to-day life, not much has changed.
I thought about this last night when I went out for a birthday dinner with John and four close friends. Our Birthday-dinner tradition is something we’ve been doing for the last ten years. We all talked about life, kids, work . . . they oohed and ahhed over my new book, but we probably spent two minutes on the topic. They are my friends and that wouldn’t change if I drove a dump truck instead of penning prose.
Life with my kids is pretty much the same too. I’m mom and that’s that. Sometimes they tease me when we go out and someone recognizes my name–such as the checkout clerk at the grocery store. And every once in a while they appreciate my “connections,” such as the time we got backstage passes to see The Newsboys.
Another cool thing is my life-at-church isn’t very different either. My family still volunteers in our children’s church ministry as we have for the past eleven years. In fact, I guarantee not one of those 100+ kids realizes I write books. They’re more interested in my handywork with puppets. And for the most part, their parents don’t realize I write books too. In fact, I get more comments about my Family column in a local magazine than anything else.
“I saw your article published in that Flathead Living Magazine, you must be so excited.” Uh, yeah, okay. That works for me.
For the most part, I feel the same inside as I did before “writing all these books.” I think the #1 reason is my daily quiet time with God. As I sit in my window bench with my Bible, notebook, devotional/Bible Study book and coffee I’m reminded of who I am to God–just one part of the body of Christ.
In fact, here are two verses I wrote in my journal yesterday after reading 1 Corinthians 12 & 13:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Cor. 12:7 NASB
But now God had placed the members each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Cor. 13:18 NASB
What I’m doing home-wise, church-wise, writing-wise has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God . . . for the common good of His body. In fact, that’s why I love connect with and promoting other authors. It’s not about me, it’s about US.
How cool is that?!
Behind the scenes:
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15-16 (NASB)–personal, Psalm 119 (NLT)–with John
Bible Study Book: Live a Praying Life, Jennifer Kennedy Dean
Great reminder that published authors are normal people. 🙂 I’m slowly learning the balance it takes to write, homeschool and be a mom, though my hubby still thinks I spend too much time on the computer. I guess I still have some work to do in the balancing act of life!
Tricia, your post today rang true with me. Whatever we do, it should be what God is calling us to do at that time in our lives. No, it’s not about me, either!
Boston? We were just there two weeks ago (with several thousand Key Club high-schoolers!). The history of that area awes me, to think how God used people to bring our country into being, through so many events that happened right there.
Gina, Yeah it’s pretty bad when I take my computer from room to room with me . . . it’s like my third arm.
Karen, Boston was GREAT! We were there mid-June. Maybe we passed each other! I LOVED the history. Of course, I would since I write historical fiction!