Recently a friend and I walked on a beach in Oregon. All around us were countless treasures the tide had brought in and deposited in the sand. Rocks, shells, driftwood…so many beautiful, intriguing items to pick up and examine. I’ve always been a gatherer when I’m on the beach, collecting items to take home and put in my garden, remembrances of my visits. But my friend? She picked up as many treasures as I, inspected and commented on the beauty of each, but rather than drop them into a pocket or bag, she put most of them back on the beach. I finally asked her why. After all, many of the things she’d picked up and shown me were beautiful.
She nodded. “They are beautiful, but they’re not the one.”
I frowned. “The one?”
“I’ve got limited space, both now in my bag and also in my luggage when I fly home. So I’m waiting to find the perfect one to take with me.”
It made sense. And for her then and, I realized, for many of us in our writing careers. There are so many things we can do as writers. So many opportunities and possibilities. And while that’s a good thing, it can, if we’re not careful, become a problem. Because if we take on too many opportunities that seem good, we may not have the time or creativity when something perfect comes along.
So let me encourage you, as you consider where to invest your time and talent as a writer, keep in mind how much you need to keep in reserve for “the perfect one.” I understand doing what’s necessary to make a living, but don’t let that focus cause you to forget that God has a purpose for you in this task. He made you a writer for a reason. Know that reason. Know what His “perfect one” is for you, and watch for it. Stay tuned in to it. And be sure that what you do resonates with the heart of His perfect reason for making you a writer.
Waiting for perfect isn’t easy. But I guarantee you, it’s worth it.
Why Christian Memoirs Rarely Sell Well
Thank you for those words Karen.
Thank you, Karen. Beautifully written and speaks to my heart.
Karen, great analogy. Sometimes we spread ourselves too thin–not just with our writing, but with our lives. Thanks for sharing.
I needed this right now, Karen. Thank you.
Karen, love your post. Years ago, as a new writer, I tried writing everything and got nowhere. Once I waited, the Lord gave Me the perfect idea. I’m running with it and love how much fun writing is again.
Hmmm, yes! Wise words for sure. Being too busy can definitely blur the true purpose. Care needs to be taken there also though. If we are always waiting for perfection, we may never actually step out the door on the journey of looking for it. I think keeping our eyes open along the way and being willing to change course when the time comes is more important than waiting period….just my opinion for sure 😉 thanks for encouraging the reach for the best
Thank you! So true! There is a different between making a living and making a difference. I am trying my best to do both.
Cogent and beautifully written essay, Karen.
But I would offer a caveat based on personal experience. There were things I wanted to do in my life, and I was waiting for the right moment to do them. It never came, and now it’s too late.
Other things happened instead, yes, greater blessings and perhaps greater good, but it took a lot of time and prayer to get to the place where I could be at peace with that which was lost.
Well said.
Andrew, please know that the alternate path onto which you were diverted is leaving a legacy that will affect many of us for the rest of our lives. We can see clearly the greater good.
Carol, thank you so much for this. You’ve really brightened my day.
Coincidentally, just before reading your comment I took Bella The Miracle Dog out for her constitutional. This broken-backed little terrier would have died in the flooded ditch in which we found her, had my life not gone to pieces. I was there because my dreams did not come true.
I came to peace with the ‘too late for me’ aspect when I realized that God’s influence was not shown in creating opportunities for our pleasure and advancement, but in setting before us the responsibilities that we are to undertake in His name.
What a lovely analogy Karen! Since I live on the west coast, I can easily see your walk and “aha” moment in my mind. We are also in a season of thinning out so important things can take place. It makes taking time to write a real treasure, too.
Interesting take on waiting for perfect, Karen. I appreciate the food for thought.
Very wise words not just for writing but for life. We are introduced to so many fantastic opportunities in life, but if we fill up with all of them, we will not have the time when something perfect comes along.
Karen, I love your advice to “be sure what you do resonates with the heart of His perfect reason for making you a writer.”
Maybe it’s easier for me than for some because it was never my dream to be a professional writer. Writing was just a necessary part my career. But I started writing novels just before I retired, prompted by that still, small voice that I was supposed to write a novel about how one man was saved through the love of a Christian who showed him that following Jesus was worth any sacrifice, inspiring him to find God himself. That led to other plots with variations on that theme. If I weren’t writing these, I probably wouldn’t be writing at all. Certainly not novels, and I wouldn’t be running websites or jumping through all the business hoops since my mission mindset doesn’t mesh with what a traditional publisher wants.
It’s a blessing to know the reason why I write. It’s also a blessing that your posts and those of your fellow agents have taught me so many things I need to write well enough. I knew nothing of this business when I started, and I still wouldn’t know much without you all. Many, many thanks.
Thoughtful, insightful words that made me analyze where I am, what I am doing, and where I am going. I love me. I love where I’m at. And whenever I think of you I see your bubbly eyes, your captivating smile, and your joy for life. Thank you for helping me to look at myself and nod yes.
My heart needed this message.
Thank you for that reminder. 🙂
This has been a problem for me. I love the precision this offers.
Karen,
Thank you for this encouraging post, and especially this word:
“Because if we take on too many opportunities that seem good, we may not have the time or creativity when something perfect comes along.”
I tend to juggle many things because I’m interested in many things — all mostly writing related — but I am always glad when I am forced to take a step back a reevaluate what is really important, and where exactly the Lord would have me to place the plethora of my desires in the path of what He wants me to do.
Goal-setting is invigorating, but perspective within reason is always refreshing.
Karen, thank you so much for sharing these thoughts with us today. I know exactly what you mean, feeling overwhelmed by so many projects and feeling that there is not time to write them all.
Great analogy. Sometimes friends surprise us with their observations. So much beauty to behold on the Oregon coast.
The timing of this post was perfect. Every so often, I find myself thinking of what I “should” be writing to make money as a writer (copy, articles, studies, etc.) But while it would be great to have more income, the time and distraction of those pull me from book writing. I feel torn by temporary income need, even when I feel so strongly that God is leading me elsewhere. Thank you for confirmation 😉
What timing! I’m working on a blog I really believe God led me to start and trying to keep up with the book He gave me to write earlier. And today’s post was dealing with motivation coming from love or guilt. I even told my daughter if I’m not careful God is going to take the blog away from me because I’m getting too legalistic about it. Perhaps I’m falling back into guilt instead of love already! I need to get back to seeking His timing and finding the “perfect one” in each day with His leading. Funny, I’ve been missing the characters of the book and when I read your post, I thought of them. My heart is there. I need to get back to them.
Thank you, Karen, for a wonderful post!