Seasoning. It's Not Just for Chili.

I think in life we all experience difficulties, hardships, and trials from time to time. Some folks may endure these struggles temporarily. For others, the season of suffering may seem never-ending. (I’ve talked about this in my earlier posts Comfort During Trials and Mountaintops.)

As writers, we’re deeply in tune to these times of “seasoning.” These experiences mature us–not only as individuals, but also as writers. To say we’d rather not encounter life’s obstacles would be a severe understatement.

We can extend all the namby-pamby platitudes we want to those who are hurting, but when it’s us, when we’re suddenly thrust smack dab in the middle of the hurricane, our perspective changes. The light bulb doesn’t just go on–the entire candelabra lights up!

No longer are we the outsiders looking in. Suddenly, we become the swimmers barely treading water.

And there are some storms in which a life-preserver, a raft, or a canoe seems to make little difference. Life’s showers might bring job loss, broken relationships, wayward children. Or then again, the bigger monsoon might come: natural disasters, illness, the death of a spouse or child.

For Christians, we realize there’s a bigger picture. Knowing this doesn’t negate our burdens, but we realize through Christ there is hope. For those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, impasses appear insurmountable.

I know in my own life, the times of trial and hardship have “seasoned” me as a writer. (And believe me, over the years I’ve refered back to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 more times than I can possibly count.)

What I’ve tried to apply as I write:

• Unpleasant (and downright bad) experiences may shape us, but we can choose how they define us. In other words, some things we may not “get over.” Memories linger. Effects of internal and external distress are far-reaching and sometimes everlasting. The good thing–the blow-our-socks-off, supernatural thing? God is still in control! He can create “a new normal” for us. He can take the muck and mire of what we’ve endured and create a beautiful flower-pot from the dregs of stinky garbage.
• When others wound us, determine to be better, not bitter. I know–it’s easier said then done, but I realized a long time ago, I can’t control people’s words or actions. (And think about all the mental energy we waste when we dwell upon how we’ve been wronged.) I’ve recognized that there are just some individuals who’d rather paddle their boats of negativity all their lives than set sail on a cruise ship to success. You know the folks I’m talking about–the ones who’d rather drop the anchor, and possibly, you with it. But there comes a time, a season, after we’ve prayed for these naysayers that we have to move on. We’re not being mean-spirited; we’re putting God in charge.
• Writing is a process. Like many things, if it were easy we probably wouldn’t learn, grow, or rise to the occasion. According to the Bible, we are all born with spiritual gifts. That doesn’t mean we don’t have to work a bit to develop our talents. Half the excitement on Christmas morning is the anticipation in the weeks before, but initially, there’s some preparation involved–gift wrapping, meal planning, and prayerfully, soul-searching.
• Not everyone will like what I write. There are so many preconceived notions that abound about romantic fiction that it would be fruitless to try to dispel them. For me, personally, writing heartfelt, homespun, contemporary Christian romance is how I’ve chosen to share the greatest romance–Christ’s love for us. Obviously, there are others who do this brilliantly in their prefered genres, as well.

Times of seasoning may cause us to question our cooking skills, but sometimes, we have to make a choice: we can turn that ol’ stove into a planter, or we can roll up our sleeves, pick up a spoon, and work alongside the Master Chef.

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Tell me about your time of “seasoning.” What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?

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TODAY’S THE DAY! Leave a comment through midnight tonight (CST) to be entered in my blog drawing for a $25 Chili’s gift card! I’m just itching to draw a winner! Happy Friday and Many Blessings!