It’s been a roller coaster week. Well, really the past two weeks have been like that. Do you ever have those? (You may remember my post on “Mountaintops” where I talked about the mountains and valleys we experience in life. I touched on this again yesterday. I hope I’m not wearing out the subject.)
Recently, I received an offer of literary representation. (Yay!!) That same week, someone whom I love dearly suffered a popliteal artery aneurysm. (Not so yay.) I went from the mountaintop to the valley in the blink of an eye. I had to regroup. I had to catch my breath. It was a defining moment.
Well, yesterday, I ambled slowly up that ol’ mountain again, praying along the way for God to keep me focused, to continue to help me “press on toward the goal to win the prize…” (Philippians 3:14 NIV)
It’s awesome how God picks us up and carries us just when we need it. His supernatural power is indescribable.
When my mail arrived yesterday, guess what I found? My literary agent contract! My bright, beautiful, long-awaited contract! (It’s only been a little over a week ago since that life-changing phone conversation, but the goal itself has been 20 years in the making!)
I trembled as my fingers tentatively caressed, first, the 9 x 12″ envelope, then each and every page inside. I had to sit down to process this moment. I wanted to cry, shout, raise my arms in victory. Instead, I simply uttered a heartfelt prayer to the One who made it all possible, and then I phoned my husband.
Our youngest child was at a church function so my husband and I celebrated simply. We ordered Chinese take-out and poured ourselves tall, cool glasses of iced tea. Didn’t have any champagne.)
This morning, as the angel dust settles, I’m able to start afresh with a new perspective. I’m still having to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming, but my publishing dream is beginning to feel a bit more real. I have many more miles to go, but I’m going to put on some new traveling shoes and prepare for the next journey.
And in the meantime, I think I’ll frame the envelope said contract arrived in and concentrate on how not to pass out when my book actually sells!
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A question for you to ponder…How do our goals and dreams affect our future outcomes?
Comments 5
Congratulations, Cynthia! You are probably on Cloud Nine hovering above the mountain by now. To ponder your question, if we don’t have goals and dreams, is there a future outcome to anticipate?
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My thoughts exactly, Patti! And I think it’s so important to continue to dream and set goals even when we have many strikes against us. It lets God prove exactly who He is. (Not that He is obligated to do so!) …And yes, Cloud Nine was a little easier to step on today.
I’m going to enjoy your mountaintop vicariously for now and trust that mine is in the offing! Wish I could drop by with a bottle of champagne to celebrate with you. Hopefully you’ll sell that book and go on a tour that will bring you a little further south–then we’ll raise a toast to the One from whom all good things come!
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Sarah, I seriously pray that we get to meet one day! Never, ever doubt that your time will indeed come. It’s my belief that God wants to give us the desires of our hearts–He never gifts us gifts and talents to be wasted! You ARE a gifted writer, and I know He will continue to do great things through you!
Thank you–I think you must be a natural encourager! So glad we “met!”