Sunday, July 07, 2013

Return to Me

I did something today I haven't done in awhile. I read an entire book in one sitting. Yesterday I stopped by my friend's yard sale. She told me to pick whatever books I wanted for free. She had a pile of Robin Lee Hatcher's books sitting on the table.

I used to devour her books.

I used to want to write like her.

 I used to want to write books with a strong Christian message. I used to think maybe God could give me the words to change peoples' lives in my stories.

Used to until I got so many rejections that I thought I wasn't good enough to write like that.

But today it was hot out and I was alone so I opened Return to Me and wept.

I'm not sure what happened along my writing path. I think as I became more and more discouraged with the way my life was going, I wrote less about how God can change us, forgive us and offer us the grace we need to live for Him.

Even though He did all of that for me.

Robin's book did what a Christian book should do--it made me look at my life the way God looks at it. All I need to do is return.

14 comments:

Carol Garvin said...

As a Christian writer I've struggled with the question of whether I should be writing Christian fiction or writing secular fiction from a Christian perspective. I've done both but still waffle. When I look for God's guidance I find myself writing the latter, and it's more my style. The trouble is, while my inspirational novels are probably too edgy for most Christian markets, my secular stories involve people who go to church, or are just "too clean" for other readers. Most times I just write from my heart and let the stories go where they will. Of course, those ones don't get queried because I don't know where to send them. LOL!

I'm glad you've found your niche.

Laura Pauling said...

I think that has to do with any walk of our life. Homeschool vs public school. World vs sheltering. I strongly believe that Christians are needed everywhere. Not just within their walk of life. The message of hope can be in the secular book. It might come along at just the right time for the right person, who never would've found it in the Christian genre.

But as with everything, each writer who is a Christian has to make that decision and see where God is leading.

Susan said...

Oh, Dear Terri....

That sounds like a good book with a powerful message, especially since it moved you to tears.

Terri, all that you've been through, all that you've experienced, including doubting God and wondering where the heck He was during the bad times, why don't you write about all of THAT?

So many people could identify with those feelings.

I mean, Terri, I think we go through things like that in life for a purpose. God USES those heart-wrenching experiences to help us grow and truly be His servants.

I think you should write a book about your experiences in Florida and Texas. I'm almost sure it would be well received.

Please forgive me if this is too personal a message to send to you. I really am always happy to hear from you. Susan

Great Grandma Lin said...

good suggestion from susan above. Don't let the dark side discourage you...do what you feel God wants you to...

Beth K. Vogt said...

Terri,
Your words have touched my heart many times because your honest -- your honest about the times you haven't been able to write because, well, there were just no words anymore. No reason to write. No wanting to write.
Or so you thought.
And yet you always come back to words, don't you?
It's who you are, it's how God made you ... it's how you are made in his image and how you reflect him to the world.

Robin Lambright said...

One of my life observations, something my spiritual mother taught me.

I may have shared this with you before, however the joys of being peri-menopauseal are that you can always dispence wise council even if you have done if before with a clean conscience...who can remember....not me!

"Don't waste your suffering!" At the time I thought she had gone round the bend, however after living with it for a while and realizing how wise she was it has become my most valuable life lesson.

Looking at my situations trying to see the lessons in the difficulties and learning whatever it is the God is trying to show me or teach me is so important. If we do not learn the lessons the first time around we are bound to be placed in the same situation over and over again until we finely either give up or learn from our mistakes.

We also forget that there are also other factors at work as well. The evil one lives to kill, rob and destroy our dreams...if he can heap a load of discouragement in your lap he will do so with a double load!

I feel certain that the passion you have for writing and your persistence will pay off.

I think your other commenters may have hit upon something...your struggles, your lessons, your story...hmmmm

Keep at it my friend!

R

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

wow, that sounds like a special book. I love the way God gently opens our eyes and welcomes us back.

Karen Lange said...

What a good message! I wonder if we all don't get away from one area or another (or all of them) at times. Doing some thinking along these lines in my life lately. Thanks for the encouragement! :)

Rachna Chhabria said...

Terri, your posts always inspire me. There is always a message in it for me.

Rhonda Schrock said...

Amen. And love this.

That's all. :D

Huggin' your neck,

Rhonda

Jeanette Levellie said...

That is wonderful! Soooo happy for you, Terri, that God is re-inspiring you to write!

Loads of Love,
Jen

Cheryl Klarich said...

Such a simple thing, a pile of books at a yard sale, and the one you needed was right there waiting for you.

That's what I love about Christian fiction.

Bless you and thank you for sharing.

Gaia said...

I need that kind of inspiration too.
Life just was not going the way I wanted and I was struggling. I needed to know all that happened was in God's divine plan and he had something good for me. Thank you for the reminder. God bless.

Trisha said...

Terri, you just can't get any better than Christian Fiction. I have read many books that had the appearance of a Christian novel, until the last few chapters seemed to be turned over to a smut writer; it ruined the book for me. If you write your books from your heart like your blog posts, I just know they will be great. Have a Blessed day, Trisha