This Ordinary Memory

The memory always starts the same: I'm three or four years old, and I'm sitting on the brown carpet of the condo my family lived in on Rolling Hills Lane. I can still picture the sunlight spilling across the room as I look out the big window. I've got a pen in my right hand and a notepad in the other. Suddenly, I'm drawing what I believe to be words across the page. I yell, "Mom!" at the top of my lungs. She peeks her head over the railing at the top of the stairs from the second floor. "Yeah?" she answers. "I'm writing! I'm writing words!" I holler. She tells me I'm doing a great job, and then returns to whatever she was doing before I interrupted.

It's strange to think that this ordinary memory holds more meaning to me now than ever before. But it's the truth. This ordinary memory has been tucked away in the back of my mind for twenty years, just waiting to reveal itself at the right moment. And let me tell you, it did.

I was holding the manuscript for my first book, 1500 Miles, when this ordinary memory found it's way into my mind. Sitting there on my bed, I began reflecting on years of working towards publishing a book. When that moment finally arrived, all I could think about was the three (or four) year-old me going crazy in the living room over some scribbles on a page in a notepad. But there's so much truth in this ordinary memory. It's a reminder that I can't always see what God's doing in me, but He's always doing something. He started working on me long before I knew Him. And He will continue to work in and through me, especially when it comes to my writing, until it's my time to leave this earth.

I couldn't have gotten this far without God--personally or professionally. He has opened doors when they needed to open. He has had the right people cross my path when I needed their guidance and expertise. I can't ignore the signs or the help He has so willingly offered. So, I won't quit, and I won't give up. Every time I find myself stuck on a storyline, or trying to find the perfect word to complete a sentence, I will recall this ordinary memory of a younger me grateful to have a pen in my right hand and a notepad in the other. These are the only tools I need to accomplish what God has asked me to do: write stories about His unfailing love, mercy, and grace.

If you're interested in reading my eBook, 1500 Miles, that God opened doors to help me create, edit, and publish, you can find the links are below.

And don't forget: whether you know Him or not, God is doing a work in you. When the time comes, don't forget to thank Him for all the ordinary memories that reveal His work in you.

My website: 1500-miles.com

You can purchase 1500 Miles on Barnes and Noble and Amazon for $3.99:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon

If you don't have an eReader, check out my website to get all the information on downloading FREE eReaders for your MAC or PC on Barnes and Noble and Amazon.