Last Day Reflections

Staff at Cornerstone Church

Last days are hard.

They involve last minute loose ends, packing up your personal belongings, and saying goodbye. I don't like the saying goodbye part (or the rest of it for that matter!).

Last Thursday was my last day as Office Manager at Cornerstone Church in Santa Clarita. All the staff (pictured above minus Caitlin) had lunch and enjoyed final laughs and inside jokes all while avoiding the fact that I was leaving. Maybe I was the only one avoiding the thought...?

Once all of the laughter was done and the goodbyes were said, we all headed off in separate directions to meetings and various work activities. It was then, when the silence of my car surrounded me, that it really hit.

I'm really leaving...
 
For the last three years I've poured myself into my job at Cornerstone and have loved it! Not to say there weren't challenges - anything that's truly worth it always comes with challenges - but, it's so strange to be on the opposite side of it now. I joke and say I'm "unemployed" (as I am for about a month or so) but the truth is that I will really miss working with the staff (including the ladies hired to take my place) and for my church body.

This departing has reminded me of a saying by Jim Elliot:

Printable Decor

It may sound simple, but it's true. I've been "all there" at my job (or tried to be) and there are no regrets for late nights or difficult projects. It was all part of the job, but more deeply than that, it was part of my service to the Lord. The same goes for anyone in any job at any level of skill. No matter if you are fry cook, dentist, politician, or church worker, your service is to God first and foremost. It really changes your outlook (or at least it did for me).

I'm at home now, spending a few weeks relaxing--ok, I'll be honest and say I've been working like crazy on blog stuff, photos, and freelancing hehe--but really trying to take it 'easy' (or easier?) in order to be able to continue to put in 110% for the next job that God calls me to.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31

What do you think? What is one way that you find helps you to give 110% in all that you do? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

ACFW Writers Conference

I am so excited!

I get to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers conference this September! When I first heard of the conference, shortly after joining ACFW, I thought to myself, "It would be great to go, but I probably can't." Now, looking back, I had no idea all that the Lord would do in order to bring me to the point where I am attending!

I will only share bits and pieces here, because it's quite a long story, but I just love seeing the Lord's hand in things! I think that is part of the reason why I write--to share how God can (and does) work though our lives.

You see, I have been blessed to partner up with a fabulous critique partner on my latest novel. Her name is Deb and you should definitely check out her books! I honestly believe the Lord planned for Deb to see my post in search of a critique partner and prompted her to reply because I know she has already helped my writing tremendously in the short time we've been working together! (Seriously, check out her books!)

I received word an editor wanted to see my manuscript [post about this here]. I thought to myself, "Okay, Lord, what does that mean?" It meant I needed to work my tail off! I still am, and am exited to say I'm almost done with my novel! Little did I realize that it was in preparation for more than just a pitch to an editor. In talking with Deb, I realized that if I really wanted to be serious about my writing, I was going to have to consider getting an agent.

Dun, dun, dun....

Suddenly, I was that wide-eyed little girl back in grade school wanting to grow up to be an author but having no idea what that meant. Sure, it is fun to write books, but to sell them to publishing houses and be a part of the elite group of men and women who entertain and delight readers all over the world through the written word...well, that's another story. 

Enter in the ACFW conference. I am blessed to say that God has worked out the details for me to attend and, while I hadn't anticipated attending, I know I am more excited than I would have imagined. I hope to make amazing friends, learn a lot, and hopefully meet with an agent or two in hopes of continuing down the road to publication. Thankfully, I've been motivated to complete my manuscript (which is pretty much a necessity as an unpublished author to attain an agent) and hope to be ready to take the next steps in my writing career.

Through all of this I am reminded of one very important fact.

I write as an outpouring to God. 

I fully believe we are all given gifts and talents by the Creator and we are meant to use them. I desire to use my gift for writing for Him and His glory - not for myself (1 Cor. 10:31). I know it's easy to get wrapped up in myself, but I sit at my keyboard today and pray fervently that everything and anything I do will only act to bring Him more glory.

Thanks to all of you who faithfully read Thinking Thoughts and who encourage me in my writing endeavors. Yes, I may talk in word counts and character motivation, but I hope to someday soon be able to hand you a book and say, "I wrote this for you--to inspire, encourage, and entertain!"

the littlest & the greatest

This morning I read from Matthew 18 and came to verses 3-5 where Jesus says, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as a little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me..."

It took me a second to process that.  I mean, I've heard or read this passage numerous times before and have probably heard quite a few pastors speak on it but, for some reason, this morning it stood out to me.  I thought back to yesterday morning at church when I was setting up part of our sanctuary and a little girl named Olivia offered to help me.  In fact, she didn't even say "Can I help you?" she just stood there, expectant, smiling, and willing.  The mental image of her sweet face, ready to do anything and everything, causes my heart to melt with her sincerity.  I was struck by how completely sweet and innocent she went about offering her help to me.  She didn't run up expecting to be given a great task.  In fact, I think she knew I would give her small things in order to see what she could handle, but she didn't complain.  She just waited patiently for me to give her directions and then followed through with what I had asked to the best of her ability.

I look back on the whole encounter in light of the passage I read this morning and am overwhelmed by what an amazing analogy it presents to me of how God views and treats us.  When God asks us to come to him as children, it's because He stands above us in a similar position to what I had over Olivia.  I was the one directing her and, therefore, I was the one who would be held responsible for the tasks I asked her to accomplish.  Understanding her age (about 5 years old) and abilities, I would never have asked her to fill up a 60 cup hot water pot and carry it across the room - it would be foolish of me to even think she could accomplish something like that at her age.  But, having seen her attitude toward service and her attention to the smallest details in the simplest things I had given her, by the end of the morning I was confident in asking her to handle a few "more complicated" tasks.  I had seen and observed her and knew she could handle them.

I feel in His own, perfect way God is like this with us.  He observes us where we are and how we handle the smaller tasks He has asked of us and, when He knows we can handle it, He offers us larger, more challenging tasks.

In light of this, I desire to respond like Olivia did.  I want to come to the Lord and wait patiently with an open heart, asking Him to give me what He will - knowing that He wont give me more than I can handle (1 Cor. 10:13).  And then, with whatever He gives me I want to do my best!  Maybe in the future those small tasks will turn into larger ones but the important thing is that, in whatever I do, I do it for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31).  Here's to turning back the clock a little and remembering what it's like, and how humbling it can be, to be a child.