"That was Wednesday . . . "

During my church meeting over the weekend a man was telling a story of how he met another man, and had an opportunity to express his testimony with him.  It was interesting to me that, though what he shared was inspirational, it was his last sentence that struck me.

The speaker smiled and said, "That was Wednesday, so I don't know how the story ends."

So often we get down about life because it's not going our way. We get discouraged, sad, even depressed.  Sometimes we tend to focus on the here and now, like it is the end.


We convince ourselves that our book will never get published because it was rejected by one agent.

We will never get married because we aren't dating right now.

We will never get that degree we wanted because we're home raising kids.

We will never be anything special, because we are just...us.

When we are at the end, so is our hope.



But, here's the truth that hit me like a ton of bricks when he said those words:

None of us are at the end of our story.  

I know--it's not anything new, but it is a truth so full of hope I couldn't help but smile.

This is just today, so we don't know how the story ends.

There so many possibilities. Yes, some of those possibilities are a little scary, BUT, the others are so exciting, and fill me with hope.

Especially when we understand that we are the author of our own story.



We can decide how it will end.

Where do you want to be in five years?

Who do you want to be?

What does God have planned for you?

How many lives will you touch?

What kind of impact will you leave?

Every day that we live is not the end of our story, but a continuation.

It is true that we cannot control everything, but God gave us the ability to think and act for ourselves. Those are the rudders that will steer us through the paths He puts before us. We are in control. We can make the choices that are necessary to be happy. We can overcome grief, pain, and hard times. We can achieve. Our story will continue.


There is a saying that I love: The person at the bottom of the stairs looking up is better off than the person at the top of the stairs looking down.


Where you are isn't as important as where you are headed.


So, my question to you today is:

Since this is only today, and you don't know how your story ends, where do you want to go? What do you want to do? 

If you don't know, that's okay. Ask God. I know He's got some great ideas (perfect ideas) for you.

Together, you can write--and live--the most amazing story.

Where you are at this moment isn't the end of that story. So, don't wallow in the present. Don't become complacent in the now. Don't celebrate as though the work is done. 

For there is more, much more to your story.

To me, there isn't much more exciting or empowering than possibilities.

And, here's the greatest thing: Even after the chapter of your live here on earth ends, there is still more to your story.

There is a greater purpose to life than just this life.  There is a greater purpose to us than what we can see. There is a greater--and much more beautiful--end to our story than we could ever imagine.

But try to imagine.

What do you want in your story?

Who do you want to be?

Who does He want you to be?

 

This is your story. You are the author. How do you want your story to end?

God's Will

No need to say more...

Originally posted on michellewilsonatlarge.com on 3.7.13


Thought I'd share a great article I found called 'How to Get Started Writing: Hamster Wheels and Hurdles.'

It's a great read for aspiring and published authors alike.

My favorite quote from the article is: Have you wondered, frustrated, how to get started writing? The solution can be as simple as a little trajectory.

For me, the impetus was an experience I had in 2006. I shared it with my husband and he said, "You should write about that." He was actually the first one to tell me what a blog was (something he was regretted many times since, lol.)

I started a blog, and my love for writing grew. My trajectory was set!

The more I wrote, the more I realized I have always been a writer.  As I went through my boxes of old things there were stories and poems, letters and talks that I had written over the years. I've filled more than a half a dozen journals since I was thirteen (some of which have been edited with my trusty Sharpee!)

I love writing. Always have.

But, it's that jump from a love of writing, to a hobby, to something more that is frightening. That was where I needed the push. Luckily for me I have an enormously supportive husband who has pushed me the entire way.

According to this article, I am deeply entrenched in phase one. I am hoping for phase two.

Are you a writer? Do you love it? Are you pursuing it? What''s your trajectory?

Father - My Favorite Name

Sometimes life can get pretty crazy, and I can feel a bit overwhelmed. It's those times that I pray to God. I was thinking about Him today and the many names for Him:

Lord.

The Great Choreographer.

The Architect.

My Biggest Fan.

Father.

  

I call Him Lord because it is a sign of respect. He created all things. He is all-knowing, all-powerful. He deserves respect, and I freely give it to Him.

I call Him the Great Choreographer because He leads and guides those who will listen to Him (and many who don’t know they are listening to Him) through their various trials and situations, matching us up with partners and opportunities that only He could arrange. He knows what is best for us, and as much as we allow Him to, He works to make that happen.

I call Him the Great Architect because it was He who laid down the plans for the life that I live and love. He has a plan, not just for me, but for all of us—and He doesn't keep it from us. If we seek after His will and guidance, He will make His plan known to us. And, as we choose to build on His plans, we see that together we can create something beautiful.

I call Him my Biggest Fan because, well, that’s what He is. He wants me to succeed more than any other soul that has ever existed. He knows be better than anyone—better than I know myself, better than my husband knows me. He knows who I am, where I came from, and who I can become. And He roots for me. He cries for me. He cheers for me. He weeps at my pain, and finds joy in my successes. He has given all that He has, including His eldest son, so that I can have a chance to reach my greatest potential (something that I can’t even imagine!).

But, out of all the names that I have for God, the one that is closest to my heart is Father—because that is what He is. He is my Father in Heaven, and I am His daughter. That is the title that brings me the greatest joy. Of all the good and wonderful things He is, to know that there is a glimmer of that in me...well, that makes me feel good. Really good. My Father in Heaven sees something special in me, and since He cannot be wrong (He is God, you know) than it must be true. So I feel special.

As I sit here and ponder on this, my mind goes to my earthly father. Many of these same things apply to him as well. Though I don't call him Lord, he most certainly has my respect. He has helped plan and orchestrate my life. He has always been my biggest fan. And he loves me.

My dad has always had an amazing way of seeing something special in me, too. He sees things that I don't see in myself yet. And when I have doubts, I only have to ask him what he thinks, and they are calmed. His love for me and faith in me is staggering. And empowering. And I love him so in return.

I know not everyone has an earthly father like mine, but here's the beautiful thing: EVERY ONE of us has a Father in Heaven who is our biggest fan, who works for us, is patient with us, hope for us and misses us. He loves us.

He loves you.

He is your Lord, your Choreographer, your Architect, your Biggest Fan. . . and He is your Father.

And He is real.

Perhaps the greatest miracle of all of this is that God, with all of His power and titles, is only a prayer away.

When we struggle with seeing the good in us, the purpose in our trials, the meaning in life, all we have to do is ask Him what He thinks, and our doubts and fears will be calmed. His love and faith in us is staggering.

And empowering.

Sometimes when the boulders and dust of life settle around me, I have to bring myself back to this simple truth: My Father in Heaven loves me, and I love Him.

And every thing is in its proper place again.

Roller coasters Scare Me

The older I get I notice a few things: I make funny noises when I bend over, I say things like "Kids theses days," and I worry more about things I didn't used to.

I don't mind the first two. They are both rights of passage, in a sense. But, I worry about the last one (talk about irony!)

When I first met my husband I told him I wanted to sky dive. I really did. It was an exciting notion: to fly!

But, now, I remind him constantly to wear his seat belt and slow down when he drives over the speed limit.

I don't find joy in roller coasters as I used to, either. For some reason, I have it stuck in the back of my mind that if there is a chance something bad could happen, that I would be the one it happens to.

Terrible, isn't it?!

It's actually quite sad, too.

This middle-aged fear hasn't kept me from doing a lot of things, but it has definitely kept me from enjoying a lot thing. Now, I'm not riddled with fear, and afraid to leave the house, but I do find that I allow the 'what-ifs' to ruin many things I used to enjoy.

I was thinking about that this morning, and I realized something really powerful. Something that I already knew, but didn't seem to fully understand.

I often say, "Faith is a choice." But, this morning, the words came to my mind, "Fear is choice."

And, so, this morning, I decided not to be afraid anymore.

Yes, I know it will be much harder to do that do say, but the point it, it is my choice to try to make that happen.

2 Timothy 1:7 states: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear is really the act of allowing the thoughts of what you do not want to have happen overtake the what is actually happening.

That's all it is.

When I am on a roller coaster, rather than enjoying the wind in my hair, the fun dips and turns, I have the image me flying off the rails because of a rare malfunction. I do not enjoy the ride. Not because it wasn't enjoyable, but because I am so focused on what I don't want to happen that I cannot enjoy what it actually happening.

It is the same with driving. I worry that others won't be as much attention as me and will cause an accident.


A person that allows themselves to be tainted by fear (yes, I said tainted) is also someone who values control. The more control we have, the less we think we have to fear.

This cycle of thinking is very damaging, especially when it comes to our own human relationships. We fear we will be dumped, so we dump them first. We fear we aren't worth being loved, so we don't allow people to love us. We fear our teenagers will make poor choices, so we force ourselves on them.

I see no good that comes from fear.

Yes, I hear you. You're saying, "But Michelle, isn't fear of snakes good? Doesn't fear keep you safe?"

God doesn't intent fear to keep us safe. That is why he gave us our minds: to think, to consider, to decide what is good for us. In verse 7 it says that God gave us a sound mind. He expects us to look at risks and consider them accordingly--and even to pass by certain things (and relationships) because it is clear the risk is too great. But He doesn't expect us to miss out in life because of fear.

The past few years I've really embraced doing things that scare me (playing church basketball), but I need to take it a step further. Beyond just doing things in spite of my fear, I need to enjoy them as well.

Last weekend I attended a Writer's Conference. While I was there, I met with and pitched two of my books to two publishers.

It was scary.

But I did it.

They both bit, and requested to see my work.  After a final push to ensure a quality submission, I put all the information together in two separate emails. . . then pushed 'SEND.'

I was so excited.

Then I got scared.

I then started wondering if I should have checked it just one more time. Then I started worrying I had forgotten something, or sent the wrong thing. Then I began to fret that they wouldn't like it.

This morning, as I checked my email to see if they'd responded yet (even though it takes weeks, even months, for them to reply) I realized what I was doing: I was letting fear ruin reality.

That's when I decided not to be afraid anymore.

Rather than be afraid that I'm not good enough, or that they won't like my work, I am choosing to have faith in myself and in God. I did my best, and if it doesn't work out, I'm sure God has another plan for me.

Faith feels much better than fear.

I am excited for this new freedom from fear. As I change my focus from the negative 'what-ifs' to the positive 'what-is' I know I will open myself up to more happiness and joy, and less stress and worrying.

It is not God's intention for us to live in fear. In fact, His Son, Jesus Christ, tells us to fear not, only believe.

If fear a thief of moments, joy, and possibility, then faith is the liberator.

This doesn't pertain only to things of a spiritual nature (religion, testimony, etc) but to all things in life--even roller coasters and relationships.

So, as of today, this very moment, I choose not to be afraid any more. And it feels good.