For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-16

High school guidance office. 1999. A young woman with a love of language and a passion for poetry inquires about becoming a journalist or maybe even an author. “Oh honey”, says the woman behind the desk, “you can’t do that around here. Maybe in New York or LA, but not here. Besides, there’s no money it.”

Her suggestion?

Teach English.

And that’s just what I did. For 12 years. And I still didn’t make much money, but I loved teaching my kids to write and encouraging them that anyone could be an author. But there was always something, like an itch right between my shoulder blades, that said, “Don’t get too comfortable“.

And then I transitioned into state leadership and supporting teachers with professional learning. For 6 years. And I made good money by local standards, and I loved teaching teachers to teach writing and to encourage budding authors in their classrooms. But again, there was always that itch, a slight discomfort, an ever present voice, “This isn’t quite what you need to be doing“.

Small home office. 2022. A not-as-young woman with a love for the Lord and a passion for professional educators realizes that God brought the dream of becoming an author to life His way and in His timing.

“But you haven’t published anything”, says the voice of doubt, “How can you call yourself an author?” and, “Oh honey, you won’t make any money even if you do write something worth reading.”, chides the voice of fear.

Their suggestion?

Go back to something stable, something you’re known in, something with a salary and a retirement plan.

But that itch, that discomfort, 
oh sweet friends, 
God put that there before I was ever born. 
Every student I taught, 
every teacher I supported, 
every piece of research I read, 
every degree I earned, 
every Bible study I finished, 
every Brother and Sister who taught and encouraged me, 
God knew every part of my story before it came to be and He knew exactly what it would take to bring me where I am today.

Will I ever get published?

• I don’t know, but I know God has called me to be an author who writes for His glory.

Will I make any money?

• I don’t expect I will, but I know God will provide for all of our needs.

What will I do if the proposal I’m currently working on doesn’t get picked up?

• The next right thing: keep writing.

Dear heart, God has placed a calling on your life too. 
Before He formed you in your mother's womb, He knew you. 
What calling is on your life? 
Are you living it? 
Are you journeying toward it? 
Are you running from it? 
Wherever you are in His dream for your life, 
what's your next right thing?