Gratitude and Good News

Oh, my goodness.

Life does move in fits and starts.

On Wednesday, I shared my recent kitchen blunder. You may remember it involved the perfect meal and my less than perfect timing.

As promised, today’s post is Part Two of my little fiasco along with a bit of good news. (Great news, actually. Keep reading!)

Long story short—I scalded the toes of my left foot when I dropped a boiling hot dish of—what else? Peas.

Yes, it’s true. Three of my five piggies sport shiny, bright blisters as painful proof of last week’s oops.

Of course, on the surface, my pea accident might seem humorous. (I mean—really—peas of all things! It couldn’t have been applesauce, ice cream, or potato chips. No. It had to be the very thing that a lot of people don’t like anyway. And they had to be hot, hot, hot. As in bubbling, take-your-breath away, make-you-want-to-cry hot.)

It still makes me shiver to think about the whole thing.

But as a see-the-glass-half-full kind of gal, my accident could have been much worse.

I could have tripped over my daughter, hubby, or cat and sloshed the mess on them.

Blessedly, my bobble involved only me, the microwave, floor, and cabinets. (Though I even sopped up pea juice in my oven storage compartment underneath the broiler where it must have splattered or dripped somehow as I transferred the dish over.)

Still…

Like most mama hens, I’d rather have an accident—any accident—happen to me rather than my loved ones.

And about the kitchen mess? No worries! It washed.

Thank you, Father, for your provision!

Praise, praise, praise!

I’m so grateful that my burns weren’t worse than they were.

Another blessing?

Sis, the nurse—who lives one meadow over—came to my rescue. She assessed the situation and administered first aid. Hallelujah!

Judging from the blisters, we believe I suffered 2nd degree burns so I’m still experiencing some discomfort, but thankfully, I’m on the mend. (Which is good, because we have a graduation to attend!)

Please continue to pray that the burn ointment does its job and that everything heals according to plan.

On to the great news.

Image Credit via ACFW

Wednesday evening I received two wonderful phone calls.

I was notified by ACFW contest coordinators that two of my manuscripts semi-finaled in the 2016 ACFW Genesis contest!

That’s right—I’m a double semi-finalist in this very prestigious writing contest, and I’m absolutely thrilled! And not only that, several of my friends were notified, as well!

I cheered as dear friends and fellow writers advanced to the second stage with me.

So, what happens now?

From the seven semi-finalists in each of the ten categories (I semi-finaled in the novella and romance categories), judges will spend the next several weeks narrowing the field down to three finalists in each.

The remaining finalists in each category will be announced June 15th, with Genesis winners announced at our national conference in August. This year’s ACFW national conference is in Nashville.

I’m so very blessed and humbled to share my writing journey with you.

The writing life isn’t easy or for the fainthearted. Sometimes, we feel alone, inept, and frustrated.

Writers work long hours as we move forward in our craft.

We don’t remain stationary and hope for the best.

Like life, we polish, revise, submit, and pray.

And when seasons of drought seem endless, God sends confirmation to revive us. (Click-to-tweet)

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)

Focusing on gratitude shapes those off-kilter days and makes the journey sweeter.

Thank you, friend, for joining me.

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