Thursday, September 27, 2007

The Conference!

I thought it would be interesting to check out my blog from last year after I attended the ACFW conference, but then I realized I changed my blog after that, so the archives are gone. I think I might have said pretty much the same thing I'm going to say this year.
WOW.
What an amazing group of writers! What an awesome time we had together, basking in the presence of God and learning more about what He wants for us as we write for Him. I have so much to say that I don't even know where to begin.
I had some great appointments, and I'm really inspired and encouraged. I'm rewriting part of Yesterday's Tomorrow, and I feel good about that. It's the right thing to do. I'm setting goals and hoping to be able to stick with them.
Outside of all that, I came away with something rather profound. I shared it with the ACFW group already, but I'll post it here as well.


I AM a writer.

Pretty simple, right? Not really. You see, for many years, I believed that my writing was just a hobby, something to do when the kids napped and I didn't want to do laundry. I don't think anyone really understood what it was I was trying to do.
I don't think I really did either.
I didn't receive too much support on the home front in those early years, and it was hard. So hard in fact, that I dropped the whole idea. I didn't believe in myself, and I wasn't walking closely enough with the Lord to hear His call on my life.
Since joining ACFW two years ago, and knowing without a doubt that this is what God has for me, I've slowly begun to believe in myself. This group - you - have been largely instrumental in this through the encouragement and knowledge you've sent my way since I joined. I've learned SO much, and I have so much yet to learn, but this weekend I experienced a paradigm shift. I don't know exactly how it happened or when...but on Sunday morning during worship, I heard a whisper...This is who you are."
And I knew.
Not only am I HIS, completely, under His care and direction, I am also who He has called me to be. I am following the path He has for me.
I am a writer. For Him.
My words may never make it to print, but that really doesn't matter. I'm being obedient. That's what matters. And I feel His pleasure.

Drawing closer to Him daily.

2 comments:

Rebecca said...

On the right day and at the right moment, your words will be printed - of that I have no doubt.

Tea with Tiffany said...

Found your blog from Rachelle's blog.

Anyway, I know the feeling of realizing part of who I am created to be is a writer. I've attended a few Writing for the Soul conferences in Colorado Springs. And I too have come away encouraged and ready to move forward in the writing world.

God's best to you!