On the Road Again…

Well, seems like God and ExxonMobil has us moving again! Yes, this time to Colorado.

Scott has accepted a position in the Construction department in ExxonMobil’s Piceance Creek location near Rifle, CO.

We’re very excited about the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place. I’m especially excited about living in a location that has FOUR seasons!!! It will be a first for this deep Southern gal. Of course, many of my friends tell me to give them a call after I’ve had to shovel snow for several mornings. They seem to think I’ll change my mind.

Our family will make the “big” move above the Mason-Dixon line sometime next May or June, plans are still pending.

I’ll keep y’all (can I say that up North?) posted…

ACFW Conference

Hello Everyone!

It’s been a very busy and emotional time. I recently returned (Sept 21-24) from the American Christian Fiction Writer’s (ACFW) conference in Dallas. It was an awesome four days of fellowship, learning, worship, and fun! By the time I pulled into the driveway on Sunday afternoon, I was exhausted. In a good way.

ACFW has an annual writing contest for pre-published authors. This year’s contest sported a new name: THE GENESIS.

I entered my manuscript LEGACY OF GRACE back in February of this year. One night in the spring, while ironing clothes, the phone rang. The caller, Ruth Logan Herne the Genesis coordinator for the Women’s Fiction category, informed me that LEGACY OF GRACE was one of the five finalists. When I look back at that night and my total surprise, little did I know that God had amazing things in store. I said a prayer of thanks and returned to the mundane and much despised task of ironing.

In Dallas, the Saturday night awards banquet was done in A+ style. The elegant china, candlelit-clad dining tables, white-gloved waiters, and gourmet meal set the tone for a night of gratitude far beyond my wildest dreams.

LEGACY OF GRACE WON!!!

First place in the Women’s Fiction Category AND…….OVERALL WINNER!!

I still shake my head and wonder if I dreamt the whole thing. It was an amazing night. I can’t remember what I said so I know it was God that carried me through the speech to the 400+ attendees.

I had one day to revel in the elation of the win before I received a phone call from my sister stating that my grandmother had passed away. So, two days later I’m back on the road, this time to Louisiana to say my final goodbye. Although sad for the reason, it was nice to see family members I hadn’t seen in years.

It’s been an emotional tilt-a-whirl. But God has a way of giving us what we need at just the time we need it. And His blessings don’t always lead in the direction that we think.

I don’t know what’s in store for LEGACY OF GRACE or anything else in my future, but I do know that I am content to trust in the One who does.

Praise Him.

Winner of THE RELUCTANT BURGLAR

By JILL NELSON is:

SHEILA MARKLEY!

CONGRATULATIONS, SHEILA!

Thanks to all of you who entered the contest. Next week watch for an interview with:

CAROLYN AARSEN.

Check back in a few days for my exciting story as the ACFW Genesis Winner!

I do ask for your prayers—my grandmother died yesterday. I’m traveling home to Louisiana on Wednesday for her funeral on Thursday.

From Athens to Corinth

How often do we agonize over an anticipated event only to find when the event has come and gone, we’ve wasted time imagining the worse?

That’s what Paul must have felt when he left Athens headed for Corinth. His experiences in Athens were not confidence boosting. They actually zapped his confidence. Few of the Athenians got Paul’s message. They only embraced the fact that this was another way to think. I’m sure the time alone traveling the distance between the two cities provided a lot of quiet time. Paul could have either wallowed in his low self-esteem or brought his concerns to Jesus. We see Paul’s different approach when he addresses the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 we see a Paul totally dependent on Jesus, one who is weak and trembling with fear.

If you’re a writer and the thought of the upcoming ACFW conference makes your knees shake and your palms sweat. Or if you’ve got a gut-wrenching decision you’re struggling with. Or if you’re battling a never-ending foe and are exhausted, remember Paul’s approach to Corinth. It was when he was at his weakest that God stepped in and used him to minister to the Corinthians. Here we see Paul as someone like us. Take heart, if God used a human like Paul with insecurities and self-doubt, he can use you the same way.

Pressing on.

Check out my new author interview with Jill Nelson author of Reluctant Burglar
www.marianmerritt.com

Also you can register to be notified of my blog updates -- enter your email in the box to the right under my profile for blog update notification!

God really does have a sense of humor

And His timing is pretty good too. Friends, it has finally happened. After almost three years of hard work, my manuscript is finished!!

I thought lightning bolts would split through the sky and confetti would fall from the heavens, but alas no such celebration. Just quiet tears in my 10 x 11 office.

Now, the fun begins…rewriting.

Oh yea, why do I think God has a sense of humor?

The laptop I’ve wanted for years is scheduled to arrive today.

He is an awesome God!



Check out my website for Featured Author Trish Perry and hear about her dubut novel, The Guy I'm Not Dating. www.marianmerritt.com

Watching the Tree Limbs Winner!

Congratulations to Margo Carmichael for winning the copy of Mary DeMuth’s debut novel, Watching the Tree Limbs.

Check out my website for an Interview with Trish Perry.

www.marianmerritt.com

Book Review – Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary DeMuth

A rich story of innocence lost and redemption found.

What should be a time of playing with friends and exploring what life has to offer, is filled with fear and shame for nine-year-old Mara. Her tormentor threatens to kill the people she loves, if she reveals his dark secret. So, she doesn’t tell.

With her heart set on finding other secrets of her past, she weaves through the maze of deceit the small Texas town of Burl has kept for much too long. In the process, she discovers her past is firmly embedded in the web of lies some in the town will go to great lengths to keep hidden.

With the help of a dedicated best friend, a mysterious man called Denim, and a mothering housekeeper, Mara finds hope where she thought none existed. She also finds true love under the limbs of a stately pecan tree.

This story is written with words that sing and content that grips. A painful story handled with tenderness and grace. DeMuth has done an excellent job of creating characters that crawl into your heart and beg for attention long after you’ve read their story.

Highly recommend.

To win a copy of Watching the Tree Limbs, visit my website at www.marianmerritt.com and leave your name and a valid email address on my contact page.

Book Review - Just As I Am by Virginia Smith

A delightful read with a profound message.

Virginia Smith has created a memorable character in Mayla Strong. Not because Mayla sports a myriad of hair colors or has jewelry in unordinary places, but because she’s a new Christian trying to be a REAL Christian.

With each struggle Mayla encounters, she turns to God for guidance and finds that He leads her into areas that cause her to grow in her Christian walk. She is a beaming example to those around her.

With a fresh voice and an unforgettable character, Smith tells a story that will have you laughing one minute and in tears the next. With real topics that face today’s young people, we are reminded not to judge by appearances.

Recommend Just As I Am to all ages, but especially to teenagers.

Check out my website’s featured author link to see an interview with Virginia Smith.
www.marianmerritt.com

Happy reading…

Trusting God – His words, not mine

This summer I’ve committed to complete the manuscript I started almost three years ago.

It’s been an amazing journey so far…

I look back and see how much I’ve changed through writing this story. At first I thought I had squandered away valuable time by going back and re-writing the first part of this manuscript. You see, I started writing before I knew a thing about writing. As I learned things, I entered into the editing black hole and stayed there for many months. Every writing book says get the first draft completed then go back and edit. I couldn’t do that…couldn’t move forward knowing how horrible those beginning chapters were. God knew I needed that time to grow. Not just as a writer, but as a Christian. Although far from being an excellent writer or Christian, I have learned much about the craft, but more importantly, I’ve learned much about myself and my God.

Through writing, I’ve learned to rely on God more than ever before. Everything I’d done before came easy. Not so with writing.

It’s hard.

The hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Some days I press on simply as an act of obedience to the One who has called me to do this. I have found that I need to pray before I sit to write. I pray for His words to flow through my fingers and heart. On those days, the words fly. I can’t type fast enough. And while I type, my heart expands because, with gentleness, I’m shown humility. I needed to be at this place in my life to finish this book.

Because it is Him and not me.

How does time fly?

Wow, where did April and May go? The school year is finally over and we're off to a busy summer.

I'm busy working on my self-inflicted deadlines. Promised myself to have my Women's Fiction finished by mid-July. And that's one promise I plan to keep. Unless of course, God has other plans. Which sometimes He does...but until He tells me otherwise, I've planned the next two months of writing time.

Finally have my website up and running, there are still a few "kinks" I need to iron out, but it's a go. Check it out at www.marianmerritt.com. Let me know what you think.

God bless...

“What is said in the OR, stays in the OR”

These were the words of the anesthesiologist as she and my nurse wheeled me back to the operating room. I’d just been given my “margarita cocktail” via IV and she informed me I would be able to answer questions and respond to commands, but wouldn’t remember a thing. Man, talk about blackmail material. Oh, the stories she could tell…

This was last Friday when I had outpatient surgery. Nothing major just something that I should have done a long time ago. But like the leaky faucet and the squeaky door we learn to live with, I just learned to live with my “issues”. After all if you never get those glimpses of feeling great, you really don’t know what you’re missing. Sounds crazy, but that’s the way it’s been for the past year.

During this time I was blessed with the tremendous support of my family, Bible study friends, church friends, and writer friends. I truly felt the prayers of each of you and I don’t think I’ve ever been so at peace.

Especially while wearing a backless gown …

I thank God for the circle of friends He’s placed in my path. It’s wonderful to have such praying faithful women as friends. Your cards, letters, and support meant a lot. Thank you…

What is your bowl of lentil stew?

This was the question posed to us during Bible study a couple of weeks ago. After reading how Esau sold his birthright to his brother, Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew in chapter 25 of Genesis, we were asked to think of the many times we’ve sold our “inheritance” for something less valuable.

Each day of the week I thought of that statement and realized how many times I “traded” my time with God for something less meaningful. A TV program, emails, phone calls, surfing the internet, shopping, lunch with friends, and in some cases, even housework. Did I mention emails?

Each time I did those things before spending quiet time with God, those were my bowls of stew. I had traded my “inheritance” of God’s relationship for something far less important.

One particular day, I’d awaken early and immediately began checking emails. Hours later, I realized I hadn’t spent my usual quiet time with God nor had I completed my lesson for the day. A vivid image of a bowl of stew flashed through my mind. I knew then I’d traded my quiet time. I’d given up what should come first before anything else.

I wonder if Esau ever felt remorse for what he traded. I wonder if he ever truly understood the magnitude of what he gave up. I pray that I’ll always “see” that image of the bowl of stew when I choose to trade my time with God for something else.


Thought for the day: What is your bowl of lentil stew?

The Face of an Obedient Heart

This time of year, I'm a little more pensive than usual. Maybe it’s the weather, the anticipation of spring, or just the fact that my birthday reminds me of another year come and gone. I’m another year older. Can I look back and see positive growth?

These last three weeks I’ve prayed for an obedient heart. A desire to want to follow God’s will. To many of you, this may come easy, to others of you like myself, not so. It’s a struggle. Requires daily prayer. And then on some days I fall painfully short. Many days. Simple things that should be so easy seem to be the thorn in my side.

Like keeping a guard on my mouth. Ha, it should be so easy, but too many times I endure the gagging taste of leather from putting my foot in my mouth. Then the remorse of thinking my words may have caused pain.

Or, not following God’s direction to minister to a friend in need. I miss so many opportunities because I think I may appear too “pushy”. Or I get lazy.

Some days I hate being human. Because it’s so hard to be a child of God and be human. On other days I rejoice in my ability to love and follow God in spite of my so human flesh.

I’ve come to the conclusion that obedience to God is something I need help with, prayer for, because sometimes like He did with Abraham He’s asking me to do some hard things. Things that I don’t want to do or don’t enjoy doing. Oh, would it be easy if He only asked the easy and pleasurable things of us?

I’ve learned the simple joy of recognizing God’s hand during my I-hate-being-so-weak days.
His forgiveness for the times I’ve fallen short of His will and decided beating myself up was just not working. I’ve learned that when I forgive myself and ask for God’s guidance, I have more grace-filled days than I-hate-being-so-weak days.

I’ve also learned that He rewards obedience. Little things like writing on a day that I didn’t feel like it and had every reason not to, He blessed me with wonderful words and I was able to add to my manuscript. Spending time with Him each morning, I get rewarded with His word to carry in my heart throughout the day. Daily praying for others, gives me the privilege of knowing I’m trusting God for not only my needs, but others as well.

What do you have to repeatedly pray for?
To be less critical of others, to listen more than talk, to let go of your past and embrace the future God has planned for you, to step off your pedestal, to shed the cloak of unworthiness and accept God’s love, to be more aware of your friend’s needs and not be so consumed with your own, or to simply be still and listen to God’s awesome word and drink it like the nectar of life it is.

Suggestions for today: Be still and listen. Be willing to face yourself honestly and let God work to make you a person of His character.

. . . and the greatest of these is love.

Greater than faith, greater than hope, greater than the two other greatest things there are.
Sounds like someone placed a high value on love.

Rightly so, if we listen to popular comments or song lyrics.

Love can move mountains,
Love can stem the tide,
Love can conquer anything.

Most think of romantic love, which is fun, exciting, and puts a beat in your step, but the love that comes to mind—the love that can move mountains—is the steady, faithful kind. The kind of love that rejoices in life's grand things, but also in the little things.

Like the love of a husband who brings me coffee with a little too much creamer, because he knows how much I adore creamer. Or, who makes me leave the coziness of my couch at ten p.m. to lie on a blanket in our back yard and gaze at the stars.
The daughter, who tapes a drawing of a strutting, determined Donald Duck near my computer—the handwritten caption reads, “You can take on anything!”
The Son, who never ends a phone conversation without, “I love you, Mom.”
The friend who sends an email to say good morning and lets me know she’s praying for my writing.
The God who gave His only Son so I can live eternal life.

One of the prints on my desktop is of a sunset. The sky, a blend of orange, pink, and yellow. These words greet me each morning.

Courage
Doesn’t always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying. . .

“I will try again tomorrow.”


I say:

Love, doesn’t always roar.

Sometimes love is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying. . .

“I will be here tomorrow.”



Suggestions for today: Step out into your backyard or take a drive in the country to view the stars with your loved one.

For Such a Time as This

Those words spoken so many years ago to a woman called by God to save her people.

We, like Esther, are called “for such a time as this”. Now, more than ever, women of God are called to step up and obey His callings. He calls each of us to different tasks and holds each of us accountable.

So many times He’s called and I’ve ignored the calling or pretended I didn’t hear—so many missed blessings. Someone more obedient received those blessings. When we’re obedient to Christ’s calling, he showers us with blessings and anoints us so we can pass those blessings along to others. Thus the goodness spreads.

Stepping out in obedience is not easy. Especially if you’re not in relationship with Christ and trusting Him. Too often we rely on our own understanding and will. Too often, we’re hurt or disappointed when our plans go awry. Many times I decided what I would do, then asked God to bless my plans. I’ve learned the hard way, that’s not how things work.

The rewards for obedience are not always evident immediately, but sometimes we see the fruit of an obedient act instantly. What an awesome and humbling feeling when God uses us to bless others. It’s beyond words and brings us so much closer to Him.

Closer to Him—exactly where I want to be.

Is God calling you? Are you listening for His voice?


Suggestion for today: Phone or write a friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile.

The Vultures come, but…

Seems like birds are my theme lately.
These birds however, are unwelcome. The vultures of doubt come to pick away at my armor. His armor.

“Who do you think you are?” One pecks at my confidence.

“You can’t write.” another pecks.

Still another pecks. “You can’t teach.”

Things, I know, God has called me to do.

Yet, I hear their voices.

In the past, I would have allowed the doubt to dissolve my confidence and retreated to the safety of my comfort zone.

Today, I stop to pray.

Now, things are different. Instead of walking on my confidence, I’m walking on God confidence and trusting in His promises.

He promised to honor my obedience. That’s enough to give me the strength to shoo away these vultures of doubt. I’m reminded that vultures do not prey on the living. If I keep God’s spirit alive in me and rely on His word for my confidence, then these predators have no power over me. They may come, but can’t accomplish their objective.

Maybe He's expanding my comfort zone...

Suggestion for today:
Examine your armor. Are there holes for the vultures of doubt to peck through?

Dial B for Bluebird

On a lighter side…

These last few days Alfred Hitchcock has come to mind. Not because I’ve watched any of his movies or because I think he walks on water. Nothing like that. I’m feeling a little like Tippi Hendren’s character in The Birds. Then again, maybe not. I haven’t had my perfectly coifed hair picked apart by large birds.

For about three weeks now, a daily ritual occurs here at the “Merritt Bird Motel”. I hear a persistent “knocking” on each glass door to my house and the rear window of the room next to my office. The first time I heard this knocking, I walked to the door expecting the mailman—nothing. I returned to my office, again the annoying knock. As I peeked around the northwest corner of my kitchen, a bluebird stared through the kitchen door. I’m sure this is nothing more than some type of territorial attack with the nice little bird reflection. But everyday?

I confess, I’ve now come to expect the rat-a-tat-tat of the orange breasted avian. It’s almost as though they’re trying to tell me something. When I approach the door, the birds continue to peer into the window. We make eye contact. I’m spellbound. Ever made eye contact with a bird? A little unnerving. Today, one graced the window of my office. He perched on the screen and we chatted for a while. I know a little psycho, but it was kinda cool to be so close.

I know I’ve aroused your suspicion concerning my sanity. Please give me a shadow of a doubt. This is indeed a true story.

Suggestions for today: Find all the Alfred Hitchcock movie references in this post.

Fourth Days

This weekend I attended the A.D.V.A.N.C.E. Writer’s Retreat and reveled in the presence of many Godly woman. God showed up as well.

The three-day weekend proved to be a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the things God would have us do in 2006. In our writing, but most importantly, in our spiritual life. I floated on the wings of euphoria most of the weekend, cried tears of joy at revelations God chose to share, and filled with compassion when my friends opened their hearts. I can say with confidence that every woman left a changed person. I know I did.

Today, the fourth day, the day after this glorious three-day event, I sit at home and reflect on all God revealed and enjoy the new truths He’s put in my heart. I’m grateful to my friend who, despite great personal turmoil, remained faithful to God and organized this retreat. I’m thankful to the women who shared their dreams and their nightmares. Getting the opportunity to pray with them and for them has been the greatest blessing. Many arrived on Friday as acquaintances, but left as best friends.

I’ve prayed for the armor of Christ today, because I know after periods of spiritual victory comes moments of weakness. I want to be strong during those weaknesses and the only way to accomplish that is to shield myself in Christ. Today, I’m wrapped in the steel of His protection.

I expect great things to happen this year. This will be a year of growth in both my spiritual and writing life. I know because God promised. I came home with a renewed sense of purpose.
He’s called me to write “for such a time as this” and I would be remiss as a daughter of the most majestic King to disobey.
Therefore, I write.


Suggestion for today: Spend time with God today asking what He would have you do this next year.

Broken Promises, Broken Hearts

Yesterday was a great day. The sun shone. The air was crisp and clean (well, as clean as we can get so near Houston) and Bible study was rich. So rich it's caused me to do some deep soul searching. I’ve recognized some things that I’ve ignored for awhile. Things about my character that I’d like to change and can only do so with the help of God.

I thought I’d said all I needed to say about promises, but God seems to have other plans. Someone in Bible study spoke about our dependence on promises, not just from God, but from other people. We rely on the promise from the car manufacturer that our car will work, the house builder that our house won’t fall apart around us, our employer when they say we have a job, our friends when they say they won't repeat something we've told them in confidence, our doctors when they say this medicine should help, our children when they tell us they’ll obey, and our spouses for an untold number of promises.
How many times have we endured the heartache of a broken promise?
Been the breaker of a promise?

We can easily bounce back from some breaches in trust, others leave an indelible scar on our hearts. I’ve thought a lot about broken promises these past few months as I watched friends endure the heartache of broken promises and wondered…will they recover, have I?

I’ve heard many times that during our times of greatest need is when we realize the promise we have in Christ. I want to realize that promise before I truly need it. Bask in the comfort of knowing He’ll never break His promise. I want that assurance in my heart before the pain. I also want to know that His assurance is greater than the past pains also.
His promises give me all that I want. He gives me more than I can imagine when I trust and rely on only Him for my joy.
If only trust came easily?
It’s something I have to work on daily. Make a conscious effort to do.

My hope this year is that trusting God will be instinctual, not something I have to think about or make an effort to accomplish. I pray it’s something that comes first, before even conscious thought.
Sort of like...breathing.
Impossible?
Nothing is.

Suggestion for today: Forgive yourself.

I love-hate Rebates

Yes, I have a love-hate relationship with rebates. You know, those money-back marketing ploys manufacturers and retailers use to get your personal identification. I do love getting a check out-of-the blue several months after I’ve sent in the rebate request. It’s great. This usually happens when I need cash most. Which is pretty often since I am the world’s worst about having “carrying around money”. But, that’s where the love ends.

This is money I’ve spent on an item that should have been reduced at the cash register. It’s funny money and I’m sure these “rebate providers” are banking on the average American being too busy or tired to go through the hassle of sending in the necessary documentation. And to insure that the odds are in their favor, the process is grueling.

Case in point—my husband and I recently purchased two electronic items at our local “everything-you-could-want” electronics store. One price sticker touted a thirty-dollar rebate and the other offered a twenty-dollar return. Of course the fine print says: In two mail-in rebates. TWO! That’s two fifteen dollar rebates and two ten dollar rebates. Have they lost their minds? What kind of fast one are they trying to pull here? I felt duped. To add insult to injury, two of the four can be redeemed online (my preference) while the other two had to be mailed in with the original UPC code from the stiff cardboard box. I should have known something was awry when the sales clerk handed me a stack of receipts that resembled a legal brief.

So, in order to receive the fifty-dollar rebate these nice people promised (visualize tight lips here), I jumped through their bureaucratic hoops and “applied” for MY rebates. I feel so un-average…

Suggestion for today: Avoid rebates.

Covenant of Grace

Words by their meaning have the ability to conjure strong emotions. I have two such words. Covenant and Grace. These words resonate through me and leave me comforted. Reminded.

Imagine Noah’s fear during the next rainfall had God not given him the covenant of the rainbow. Without God’s promise, Noah would not have known that the next time rain fell the entire earth wouldn’t be flooded again. Still today, God has kept his promise to Noah. That’s a long time to keep a promise. Wish I could be so steadfast—well maybe not for thousands of years—for just a week. How often I’ve made promises to my children, only to break them when life’s busyness consumed me.

Jesus, is God’s covenant to me. He promises if I believe in His son I will have everlasting life. What a powerful promise. If only I believe.

I consider this my Covenant of Grace. He didn’t have to make this sacrifice for me, but did. I can rest in that promise and in the Promise Keeper. His grace has carried me in, through, around, and before many hard times. Messes that have been consequences of my stubborn will and pride. Messes that have occurred while out of His will. Yet, with steadfast love He’s covered me with His grace and kept His promise. His constant goodness in my unworthiness swells my heart with a gratitude that words cannot express. I know and find great comfort in the covenant of His grace.

Suggestion for today: Find a word in the Bible that evokes a strong emotion in you. Write your thoughts on your word from His word. I’d love to hear how God speaks to you through One word.

My Final Note

This morning’s news hit really hard. Mining victims left notes to their loved ones offering reassurance. Such a small gesture. Such grand rewards. To those left to mourn, these notes will surely become as treasured as their memories.

As a writer I’ve come to appreciate the power of the written word. A small note written during a time of tragedy has the power to give a measure of comfort to a hurting soul. That is power.

Their gestures stirred me. What would my final note have to say? Would I have a large enough writing surface to fix all the wrongs that need to be fixed? All the apologizes I need to make? Or will my only words need to be “I Love you and one day will see you again.”?

Suggestions for today: Remind your loved ones how much you love them. Take the necessary steps to mend rifts. Make sure your final thoughts could be written in one sentence. That may be all you have.

Writer's Write

Today's the day...back to work on my current work in progress, Legacy of Grace. It's been a few weeks since I've added "new" words so in keeping with my resolution to move closer to where I want to be. I will write. After all, that's what writer's do.
Things that do not count: Talking about writing, wishing about writing, reading about writing, thinking about writing--Today is about the process of adding new words to my story...AKA...Writing.

I'll let you know tomorrow how things work out...

Thought I'd add suggestions or tips to each post.

Suggestion for today: Keep a small toy or whimsical item on your desk to remind you to stop and have fun.

One Step Closer. . .

Yes, I've entered the world of "blogdom". A step I would not have imagined just a few months ago. Why now? It's a new year filled with new challenges and new opportunities...
The title for today's post and the title of this blog--One Step Closer--is significant in that this title describes what I hope will be my motto, credo, mantra, mission statement (you name it) this year. A year of being one step closer to my Lord and Savior, one step closer to being the Christian woman I long to be, one step closer to being a healthier lady who carries less weight around--figuratively and emotionally, one step closer to being the writer Christ wants me to be, one step closer to thee....
I imagine by now you get the picture. Getting closer only requires one thing from me: To take a step, maybe just a small step, but a step none the less. If I commit to daily stepping forward, by the end of this year, I should be much closer to where I need to be. That seems so much easier than setting lofty goals. Wouldn't you agree?