Thursday, April 7, 2011

You can't always get what you want...

When you were 7 years old, did you think you would be at the place you are now in life? Did you imagine you'd be living in the place you are? Eating the food you eat? Weighing what you weigh? Did you have any idea that life would be so hard?

When we were children, we reasoned like children. We acted like children. And we reacted like children. But now that we are adults...what's our excuse?

And for that matter - what in the world does this have to do with writing? We'll get there. Give me a sec...

When my 7 year old doesn't get to do something that her 13 year old sister gets to do, she gets all bent out of shape. "But SHE got to go!" or "That's not fair!" There's the ever popular, "But I'm 7...I can do it!"

And not to let my 13 year old off easy -- she thinks that she should get to do anything my hubby and I do! If I have a laptop, she thinks she should get one. If I have a phone - she thinks she should, too.

Both of the kiddos have that childlike reasoning... "I want it - therefore I should get it."

And when I explain why they can't get what they want just yet, they break down and cry much of the time. They don't understand. They can't grasp that I know what is best for them. They don't understand that I want to give them what they want - but they just aren't ready for it yet.

Sometimes, they they aren't physically or emotionally ready. Sometimes, they aren't mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with all the things they want. And sometimes, they haven't worked for any of privileges they desire and need to put forth more effort!

In my life as an adult...who writes and wants lots of good stuff in my writing career...I'm afraid I've felt and acted the same way as my 13 and seven year old! I ask God, "Why can't I have a six-figure deal? She's got one!" or "I've been writing all my life. I should have an agent, too!" or the ever popular, "It's just not fair!"

I think, just like my seven year old, because I want it...I should just get it.

But have I put in the necessary effort to work toward my goal? Or do I think I should have publishing deals just b/c my friends have them? Have I worked toward my goal with as much gusto as I can...or have I spent the majority of my time on facebook, twitter or blogging? Have I tried my best to better my work or am I still sending out manuscripts I haven't edited in five years, hoping it's good enough? Do I have friends who tell me the truth about my work, or am I so sensitive that I can't handle criticism? Am I mature enough (emotionally and spiritually) to handle the responsibility that comes with an agent or book deal?

I don't know if I am, or not. I want to believe I am. But sometimes, I realize I'm just not there yet. I need more maturing. I need to work harder. I need to do what I am being called to do...and quit being lazy! I need to make time to write. I need to submit. Then I need to do it all over again.

And then I need to enjoy the journey knowing the Lord will give me the good things He has planned for me...when He decides I'm ready for them.

To put it bluntly, I need to get my act together...and act my age!

How 'bout you?

                                                                (See what Paul had to say about this in I Corinthians 13:11!)

8 comments:

  1. Great encouragement...and conviction!

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  2. Thank you for this great insight! And yes, I also need to get my act together and act my age. But like a petulant child, I don't always want to ;)

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  3. Hey y'all! I'm glad you both stopped by!

    Hey Kristi - it convicted me, too!
    Anna - I know exactly what you mean!

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  4. I had never tied that song in with Paul's admonition-- along with the thought that we need to act our age. Now, I'll have that song stuck in my head all day. Maybe that won't be a bad thing either!!

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  5. Thought provoking post, Donna. Thank you for the reminder to pay my dues, to trust God to give me "that thing" when He knows I'm ready for it.

    Hey--be sure to put your name at the top of the posts you write, please. We want to give credit where credit is due, right?

    Blessings,
    Jean

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  6. You mean we aren't entitled to all of our pity parties??? It really is easy to get bent out of shape when things don't come out the way we think they should. I just pray I keep growing during the long wait so that I will be truly ready when my time comes to be published.

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  7. Hi Donna,

    Kids count down to Christmas. It helps with the wait. As writers, we need to find ways to help us with our wait too. Celebrating small successes helps. That's one reason I participate in PubSub3rdFri. It motivates me to submit and it is a way to celebrate when I do. What helps you with the wait?

    Linda A.

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  8. I am always in need of some maturing...I confess to be a good work in progress, moving ahead to where He wants me to be. Some days it just looks like I'm getting there and others not as much. :) There's always something to learn, isn't there?
    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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