Meet Me on the Dance Floor

***I'd like to introduce Jessica Everingham who will be guest posting on Thinking Thoughts today. Enjoy her insight into prayer and true success.***
 

God is far away, my life’s work is for nothing,
and I am all alone.

As a writer struggling to kick-start my career, self-doubt and discouraging thoughts come to visit me on a regular basis. This experience of waiting, along with some other disappointments, is testing my perseverance and faith.

This mental picture of prayer (below) came to me a little over six months ago, while I was at a prayer meeting for a youth outreach event. And it’s been refreshing water to a thirsty little flower:

The walls of my bedroom fall away as I step onto the dance floor. My pajamas have been replaced by the most elegant lace dress you can imagine. Fairy lights twinkle instead of stars. And He’s there. Waiting.

He is always there when I arrive - no matter what time of day or night. Dressed in His tux, hands outstretched, ready for me. Sometimes I’m so amazed that He wants to spend time with me, I fall on my face at the edge of the dance floor. I don’t move till He comes, picks me up and we start to dance. But other times, I fling myself at Him. He always catches me and holds me tight as I sob out my troubles. And then there are days when I just walk up to Him, step into His arms and we start to waltz.

We talk as we glide across the polished floor. I tell Him about my day, my worries, my relationships and my dreams. But the conversation isn’t the most important thing. Don’t get me wrong; I know He’s interested in what I’m saying. He smiles, He empathizes, He cries, and above all, He listens. And I’m definitely interested in what He has to say. But more than anything, I just want to be there. I just want Him to hold me. And He does.

My favorite time is when we’re slowly rocking; my face resting on his shoulder, His arms tight around me. It’s like His love soaks through my dress, my skin, into the core of my being. And it’s then that I remember.

I remember that it doesn’t matter if I’m a writer or not. It doesn’t matter if I’m successful, if I’m financially secure or if I’m popular. I don’t have to be where I expected in life; I don’t need to have everyone’s praise.

I am His. That’s all that counts. And when I remember that, that’s when my worries fade away and I have peace.

My prayer life hasn’t been the same since that day. God meets me on the dance floor all the time. I know that He’s never far away, and I no longer picture my prayers bouncing off the ceiling like ping pong balls. It’s such a relief.

Before the dance floor, I knew in my head that God listened, saw and cared about my life. And I tried to remember that. But it’s this experience of being stretched, hanging in there and meeting with God ‘personally’ on the dance floor, that’s helping me understand that truth in my heart.

On the dance floor I know that I’m talking to a Person, not a ceiling. I see the empathy in His face, feel the squeeze of His loving hug and remember the tremendous power that lies in those arms. The dance floor takes the focus off my problems, because when I’m there I’m confronted with the reality of Him: His endless love; His enormous power; His all-seeing wisdom.

And when I see that, I can’t even remember what I was worried about.

_____________________________________

Jessica Everingham is a journalist, boarding school mistress, youth leader, aspiring author and blogger. She is passionate about writing articles, short stories and novels that peel back our subconscious attitudes and reveal God’s truth. She is busy editing the manuscript of her first novel, Open Your Eyes, and is beginning work on her second book.

Twitter: @JessEveringham
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessicaeveringhamwriting
Subscribe to her blog: www.consumedbyhimblog.wordpress.com
Contact her by email: jessicaeveringhamwriting@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo Prep: 5 Keys to success while writing a novel in a month!

From Pinterest

Ah yes...it is almost that time again, isn't it?

The time when thousands of people will go without sleep, exist solely on coffee (and possibly chocolate), and type/pen/carve out 50,000 words formed into a story that, before November 1st, had no existence.

I live for National Novel Writing Month!

I am looking forward to NaNoWriMo (for short) starting November 1st, and have mixed emotions of anticipation and dread. I mean, talk about pressure. Here you are, deciding to put a huge sizable goal in place for all to see. But, seeing as how this is my 5th year, I can say with confidence that it's worth it!

I know there are all sorts of great blogs out there giving writerly advice for NaNoWriMo success, but I thought I'd like to add my humble voice from my own past experience.

NaNoWriMo - 5 Keys to success while writing a novel in a month!

1. Get a Buddy
This is my first year of having a dedicated NaNo buddy and I am so EXCITED! My dear friend Corrine and I have been planning and plotting for a few weeks now - all mental, mind you (oh, hehe, no pun intended!). The anticipation itself will probably be enough to hold is into Week 2. For my first piece of advice, I say find someone who loves to write, and rope them into attempting NaNoWriMo with you. Hey, the worst that could happen is you start a great novel and don't finish it in a month ;)

2. Tell the World 
That's right. Telling everyone and anyone creates an interesting thing. Accountability. Suddenly, every one of your friends who knows you're writing a novel acts as a personal motivator for you! There are good sides and bad sides to this (constant questions about your noveling progress when you're in a bit of a dry spot can be...less than helpful) but I think the good outweighs the bad. Use their excitement to propel you forward and keep you on track.

From Pinterest

3. When all else fails - fake it!
Yes. You read that right. I'm encouraging you to make things up! Oh wait - it's all made up ;) One of the hardest things about writing a novel is all of those pesky details. I often find myself wondering, "Hum, what type of gun would my killer use?" Or, "If she was thrown off a cliff here, would someone see her?" (Don't worry - these are all fictional situations people... I write romantic suspense!).

When you don't know something, skip it! I tend to write things in all caps like: "He took the GUN from her, its cold weight familiar in his hands." So that I know to come back to it. You can also highlight etc. If it's more of a lengthy section, I suggest keeping track of needed research areas in a separate document. Don't do the research during November - it will only slow you down. Just power through and fake it til you make it, as they say.

4. It's a stepping stone
I know you're out there. Those of you who are afraid. So afraid that the minute you put ink to paper (fingers to keyboard) you're idea will lose its creative luster. Do NOT allow those thoughts to stop you from writing. Sure, you're idea may be amazing and sure, you may mess it up by writing it out, but the best part about that is you now have something tangible to work with. Too many people allow this fear to cripple them, stopping them from actually writing, because they are afraid it wont match up with how brilliant it was in their mind. Here's news for you - if it's in your mind, no one can see it's brilliance. Think about that, then start writing November 1st (hehe...)

From Pinterest

5. Put it in perspective
If you've committed to writing a novel in a month, that is a HUGE accomplishment in and of itself. But let's be honest. You can't expect greatness from 30 days of haphazard writing in the midst of a crazy life. The scenario may change if you are a professional writer (please Lord, let me know what that feels like some day) but I'm assuming most of you, like me, have jobs to go to, friends to meet with, and maybe even children to take care of (bless you who do, because I can't image having to balance that with writing and a job just yet). We need to have a healthy perspective about what we are doing.

Writing takes work. To finish 50,000 words in only 30 days (1,667 words a day, mind you) is a huge accomplishment but it's just the tip of the ice berg. Rewriting, editing, critiques and revision are all part of the writing process, so at the end of the month, sit back and pat yourself on the back - you deserve it - but then get right back to it. Finish up the novel, then start back at the beginning again.

Are you joining me in writing a novel for NaNoWriMo? If so, please comment below so we can keep in communication (we'll be virtual writing buddies!). And, make sure you check out their amazing website www.nanowrimo.org to sign up and keep track of your progress.