
Never quit on the uphill. My high school track and cross country coach repeated that phrase to me often, usually when I was tired, lagging, and midway up an intense climb. He also encouraged me to take my rest days–to give my body time to recover and rebuild. Both are important for champions.
This analogy and advice applies to our spiritual life as well. Right now I’m in an uphill climb. Planning a major fundraising event–it’s not the biggest event I’ve facilitated, but it is by far the most complicated and foreign! You can read more about it HERE. I’m also preparing for two talks in August, and, well, I could go on, but I’m sure you understand. Life is busy, for all of us. This is true doubly (triply?) for today’s guest post, Ginger Solomon.
Take the Next Step
What’s your July been like?
Mine’s been busy.
At the beginning of the month, several other authors and I had a book release. Since then I’ve guest posted on several blogs like this one. I also finished another novella slated to release in November. It still needs to be edited. In addition, I’m working on three other novels—a sequel to my debut novel, a stand-alone contemporary, and a fantasy—all romance.
Then there’s school to prepare for. It starts in just a few weeks. I have a senior, a sophomore, an eighth grader, and a sixth grader this year. Getting their schedules set up and ready usually takes me a day or two of intense work. We also have a full garden that needs to be cared for, in addition to twenty-five chicks—they’re about eight weeks old now—who are ready to be transferred out to the barn to be added to the dozen or so we raised earlier this year. The older hens will retire.
Oh, I guess I should have told you I live on a 7-acre mini-farm. Well, that’s what I call it.
Needless to say, I’m busy.
But it’s just a season. A few years ago, I was homeschooling all seven of my kids. That was busy, even without anything else added to the mix.
Next year, I’ll only be homeschooling three, and then it won’t be long before even those will graduate and move on.
Ecclesiastes chapter three talks about seasons. Verse one says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…”(NIV)
I’m fond of saying my full-time job is homeschooling, and writing is my part-time job. That is my season at the moment.
In my latest release, Mr. Christmas and Miss Scrooge, part of the Love in Mistletoe Springs novella set, both of my characters are in new, busy seasons of life. Mitch returned to Mistletoe Springs to care for his ailing mother. Margaret took over the family business so her parents could take a yearlong sabbatical to travel the world. Neither season was expected, but sometimes it’s what’s needed.
We often ask why me. Or why now. I’m not sure God answers those questions very often. I’ve read somewhere that asking what now is better. It gives us something to focus on besides the mountain we have to climb. Often it means just looking at the ground in front of us, taking one step at a time.
That’s what Mitch and Margaret did. One step at a time. There were bumps along the way, sometimes big ones. But as long as they did the next thing they knew to do, they made progress. And so can you.
Hebrews 12:1(NIV), “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
What season are you in?
***
Let’s talk about this. Are you in a season of business? How might (or how does) remembering that this is just a season help you persevere? Or maybe you’re in a season of rest. How might remembering that that too is a season help you recoup without feeling guilty? Both seasons are important, because we can’t run marathons forever. Neither can we remain in rest mode forever. Share your thoughts with us here in the comments below or at Living by Grace on Faceboook.
Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer — in that order (mostly). When not homeschooling her youngest four, doing laundry or fixing dinner, she writes or reads romance of any genre, some sci-fi/fantasy, and some suspense. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, president of her local writing group, and writes regularly for two blogs. In addition to all that, she loves animals, likes to do needlework (knitting, crocheting, and sometimes cross-stitch), and is a fan of Once Upon a Time and Dr. Who.
Visit her online: on her website, group blog Inspy Romance, at her Facebook Author Page, on Twitter @GingerS219, or on Pinterest
About Ginger’s latest release, Love in Mistletoe Springs:
The Mistletoe Springs animal shelter loses their grant, endangering the lives of countless stray dogs, cats, even birds and turtles. The community attempts to save the shelter by running a Christmas in July fundraiser. Groups of volunteers scramble to get all the details together while managing their personal lives. For ten people, love gets in the way.
“A Cockatoo for Two”
Nikki Waldrop is given a cockatoo because her son is allergic to hairy animals. But this biology teacher needs help from the principal, who once lived in Indonesia and knows about caring for a cockatoo. When the sick bird responds with “Gimme a kiss,” hearts begin to soar.
“Brewed with Love”
When Amber Cook meets firefighter Bryan Grant, can she overcome her deep seated fear of fire and discover true love?
“Stray Gifts”
Dani Cooper has vowed to focus on her four kids and stay away from strays, whether animal or human. But will she be able to resist the handsome, mysterious veteran who shows up on her doorstep looking for work…and maybe, for a home and family too?
“Mistletoe Madness”
To say Kayla can’t function in a crowd is an understatement. The only help she can get to do her part to help the shelter is the bane of her existence, her brother’s best friend who has teased and harassed her mercilessly all her life. But Drew’s feelings for Kayla have suddenly changed. Can he both help the shelter, and help Kayla change her mind about him?
“Mr. Christmas and Miss Scrooge”
Mitch Silverton agreed to be in charge of decorating for the fundraiser. And he needs his boss, Margaret Holberg, to donate her family’s vast array of decorations to make the day unforgettable. BUT…
She’s not sharing. Christmas is not a holiday she wants to celebrate in July, and saving the animal shelter is not high on her list of important things to do.
He wants her to share more than the decorations. He wants her heart. Will he succeed in changing Miss Scrooge into Mrs. Christmas?