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This past weekend I received one more “No” to add to my Rejection Collection. (sigh) It’s never easy to hear no when your dreams are attached to it, even though it was a very kind no, and it did offer a thread of hope. But on that day, the thread seemed awfully weak and appeared to be fraying. So, I moped around for a day; I told my critique partners about the rejection so they could commiserate with me and be my cheerleaders. I didn’t eat the box of chocolate I promised them I would, but I thought about it. 😉
And then the next day, it was time to move on. Time to research the other possibilities out there. Time to look closer at that thread of hope. You know, after I put it under the microscope, I decided it wasn’t so weak after all. It might even be made of Kevlar. So I grabbed onto that thread and followed it.
The end isn’t in sight yet. I don’t know if this thread will lead to more no’s or if it’ll finally bring me to that elusive Yes! But, regardless of where it leads, it motivates me to keep pressing on. Giving up isn’t an option. Writing is a gift God gave to me, and I have no intention of burying it. There are no guarantees I’ll ever receive the Yes! I think I want, but by investing in this gift, by grasping this thread of hope and placing one hand in front of the other to pull me along, I’m being obedient. Maybe that’s what this is all about in the first place.
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:13-14
Comments 10
I like the idea that thread might be made of Kevlar! As authors, we definitely have to hang onto hope and continue following wherever God leads in our writing and our careers. Here’s hoping you get a “yes” soon, Brenda!
A “yes” would be very nice–but I keep reminding myself that God might have grander plans than that!
FYI, Heather, I just downloaded God’s Daughter. Can’t wait to read it!
Hugs to you, friend. A no at one place can lead to a yes at another. Or even a yes at that same place. So glad you’re keeping the faith. This is HARD! Glad we’re doing it together.
Stacy – Oh yeah, it’s hard! I think I’d have given up a long time ago without friends like you who offer continuous encouragement. It makes it much easier to hang onto that flimsy-looking thread. I’m very blessed!
Oh my word, Brenda. I admire you…..your outlook is so good, in spite of disappointment. It must be heartbreaking. You will get that Yes!!! You are a good example of how we want to face life when we face “no”‘……..so many of us aren’t able to follow through like you are. Keep going, you will make it.
Thank you, Sharyn. 🙂 One of the challenges every writer faces is learning to deal with rejection. It’s part of the job description. 🙂 That doesn’t mean the No’s hurt less, but that we learn to deal with them better. And we must constantly be open to learning, like with the rest of life.
I miss seeing you, Sharyn! Hope all is well with you & family.
Brenda,
Glad you grabbed that hope. Now go eat that box of chocolates. You deserve it.
That box of chocolates is long gone. 🙂 (Glad it was just a virtual box.)
Thanks for always being one of greatest encouragers, Shannon!
Hi Brenda.
For me, this blog is very encouraging.
You press on, amid rejection.
I have to believe that God is going to do something in your days, beyond what you can ever imagine.
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst…”
I Chronicles 4:10…Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory, that your hand be with me, and that you would keep me from harm…God granted what he asked.”
You are obeying God with your writing Brenda. You are. And I believe that He wants to give you the desires of your heart. You are a great example to others like me who are just starting on their writing journeys.
You have much wisdom to give. I am looking forward to being the recipient of those wise words in the months and years to come.
Thank you for your example.
You are already a blessing to so many.
I am off to writing now!
Warmly
Gail Helgeson
Hi Gail – It’s with friends like you, fellow writers who support, encourage, pray over us when rejection comes, that help us through the valleys. We all have those shadowy moments—the point is, we keep walking.