Giving

Anita Mellott writes to encourage others on their journey of life. With a background in journalism and mass communications, she has worked for more than ten years as a writer/editor in the nonprofit world. She balances homeschooling and the call to write, and blogs at From the Mango Tree (http://amellott.wordpress.com/).

“Mama, Mama, can we help a kid in the Appalachians again this Christmas?” My tween bounced up and down in her chair at the dining table. “Remember? Last year my discipleship group collected gifts that were on a kid’s wish list. I saw a video today. They have nothing. I mean nothing.”

She wrung her hands. “Sometimes they don’t even eat, Mama, and you know what? They walk for miles together to get food, like a tomato. Can we help? Please, can…”

My husband shook his head and interrupted, “Sweetie, it’s not about what we can do. What are you going to do to help?” Her eyes grew wide, and then she looked away and cast her eyes down.
I glared at him. What was he doing? Why couldn’t he encourage her? A deafening silence prevailed.

Slowly my tween raised her head. “I know, Daddy.” She moved the chicken around on her plate with her fork. “I...I was thinking. I’ll give my Nintendo DS.”

I almost choked. “But you saved up for that. Why don’t you give her your IPod Shuffle?
She looked at me. “Mama, I don’t even like my Shuffle anymore. I mean that’s why I saved up for a Nano. I love my DS. That’s why I want to give it to her. And, it was on the wish list.” A tear slid down her cheek.

I bent my head and studied the food on my plate, my cheeks burning.

I heard Jim say, “That’s a good idea. But take some time to pray about it. You should be peaceful about your decision.”

As I raised my head, I caught his glance and saw the smile spreading across his face. I understood what he had been trying to do.

“I’m so proud of you, Princess,” I told my daughter as I tried to smile while holding back my tears.

Christmas is about giving, but it took my tween to remind me about the essence of true giving: Giving when it costs.

I thought of my half-finished manuscript, the log of article ideas, the book proposal my critique group was encouraging me to send out, and the times I begrudge the early mornings and late nights it takes to write. Writing is more than a calling—it’s a sacrifice.

“Lord, you’ve called me to write to encourage others. Help me to give even when I don’t feel like it; to share from my heart selflessly. To give as you give.”

“…I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” 2 Samuel 2: 24.


Anita Mellott
From the Mango Tree

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The Light by Anita Mellot

Anita Mellott homeschools and blogs “Words of Encouragement and Hope” at From the Mango Tree. Her book of devotionals for homeschooling parents will be released by Judson Press in late summer 2011.

The Light

“Father, forgive us for having more passion for our names than Yours.” I paused as the worship pastor led us in corporate confession.

“Whose glory do you seek? Is it God’s or yours?” At my pastor’s question, I knew it was time to get on my knees.

Those words lingered in the following weeks. As I read and meditated on Matthew 6, the Light revealed the impurities within, like dust particles swirl around in the bright beam of sunlight.

“Lord, why is it that even my obedience and service to You is tinged with selfishness?” I wondered as the spotlight of the Holy Spirit probed deeper. Though I adopted the Psalmist’s prayer: “Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults” (Psalm 19:12), there was no balm as the subtlety of sin overwhelmed me.

“Lord, can my motives ever be pure?” I whispered. The answer stirred hope within my soul. “On your knees at the foot of the cross, those dust particles become invisible in the light of my Son’s love.”

So I continue to follow His leading, assured that He works within me to purify the dross. And I’m humbled that He breathes His words through this marred vessel’s pen so others may know He brings life and hope.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

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Prayer’s Power

Anita Mellott homeschools and blogs “Words of Encouragement and Hope” at From the Mango Tree. Her book of devotionals for homeschooling parents will be released by Judson Press in late summer 2011.



The document’s white space mocked me as my fingers hovered over the keyboard. For the second day I’d sat at the computer for several hours. Nothing flowed.

“Lord, shouldn’t I work through this passage of Scripture?” I only had three days to write the remaining twenty-two devotionals for my book before editing it and sending it to my critique group. “Would I make the deadline? Would the publisher grant an extension? Was this the book God had led me to write?” Heaviness took over.

“Sounds like warfare. I’m on it,” promised a writing friend when I explained what was going on.

I sank to my knees that afternoon in desperation and surrender. “Lord, You’ve brought me this far. Help me trust You to see this project to the end.”

The next morning, a freedom took hold of me as never before as my fingers danced over the keyboard. I made my deadline with a day to spare.

When I tackled laying out the devotions over the year, I had no clear idea where to place each devotional. My new laptop restarted on its own every few minutes. Then it slowed down so much I could have cooked and served my family a gourmet meal. On the third morning I clued in. I prayed over my computer, manuscript, and the index cards that covered my dining table. A gentle peace took hold of me. A few days later the book was laid out.

I’m not one to see spirits behind every event or to blame the evil one when things go wrong, but I couldn’t get away from the timing of the two episodes. Spiritual warfare is real for Christian writers. Paul, in Ephesians 6, lists an array of weapons of warfare. Prayer was my offensive weapon. In the first episode, the breakthrough was miraculous and exhilarating. The second answer, while no less miraculous, only came through persisting.

Paul underscores the importance of prayer by mentioning the words “pray” three times, “praying,” and “prayers” once each in verses 18-20. He encourages us to pray in the Spirit (verse 18). I had no idea how to pray against “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (vs. 12), but God’s Spirit within did, interceding on my behalf (Romans 8:25-27).

In verse 18, Paul urges us to “be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” We don’t know when the enemy will strike, but constant prayer keeps us alert. Constant prayer during the attack empowers us to get through. The breakthrough, whether immediate or over time, always comes when we’re on our knees.

Paul’s request for prayer in verses 19-20 resonates. It’s a prayer for writers of faith: “Pray also for me, that…words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

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Stand Firm

Anita Mellott homeschools and blogs “Words of Encouragement and Hope” at From the Mango Tree. Her book of devotionals for homeschooling parents will be released by Judson Press in late summer 2011.


I know spiritual warfare is a certainty in the life of believers. But little did I know I’d be stepping into a field full of landmines when I signed a book contract.

After several weeks of reeling from strange events--weird illnesses, and disturbing, unexplained lab results--I began to study Ephesians 6:1-18.

Intrigued that Paul repeats the word “stand” four times over four verses, I delved into their meaning.

Paul urges us to put on the whole armor of God so we can “take our stand against the devil’s schemes” (vs.11). As Christian writers, we are to brace ourselves for spiritual warfare. The onslaught will come. Paul leaves us in no doubt about the reality and intensity of warfare: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

The second time “stand” is mentioned (vs.13) is in reference to resisting the attack, almost like going on the offense. In the same verse, Paul emphasizes, “after you have done everything…stand.” After we’ve prepared and armed ourselves, and gone on the offensive through prayer, it is imperative to hold our ground despite the doubts, temptations to call it quits and weariness that sets in. Retreat is not an option because Jesus has our backs.

Finally verse 14 encourages us to “stand firm then,” even after resisting and holding our ground. We stand firm because:
* We know Who fights for us. The battle is the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:47).
* We know the outcome. “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15). Jesus has won the victory, and we stand firm in Him.

So be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. He has called us to write words of hope and inspiration under His anointing. Only eternity will show the fruit of our obedience. Till then, we can stand firm because He is with us.

Anita Mellott
Blog: From the Mango Tree:http://amellott.wordpress.com/

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Eyes on Jesus

Anita Mellott writes to encourage others on their journey of life. With a background in journalism and mass communications, she has worked for more than ten years as a writer/editor in the nonprofit world.
She balances homeschooling and the call to write, and blogs at From the Mango Tree (http://amellott.wordpress.com/).


The line snaked through the lobby and the auditorium, spilling out through the doors of the Carter Center even though the book signing was well into its third hour.

“People have been here since 1 pm,” an attendant said as he laughed.

“Even though we only opened the doors at 3 pm,” chimed in another.

Several white, linen-draped tables piled high with books lined the walls. Secret Service agents stood at intervals along the way. Families and individuals milled around waiting for President Carter’s autograph. Muted chatter echoed through the building.

I moved the stroller back and forth to keep my toddler entertained as we waited. I noticed a familiar figure go through security and then begin striding purposefully in my direction. She drew closer and passed within inches of me, without a second glance to the left or right.

“Hi Deb,” I called. She hesitated and stopped mid-step. Turning around, her gaze fell on me. “Oh. Hi Anita.” She came up and faced me, with a rueful grin. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you. My eyes were on Steve.” And she pointed to her husband who was several feet ahead in the line.

We fell into an easy conversation and parted ways after a while. But her comment, “my eyes were on Steve” lingered in my mind.

What would my writing journey be like if my eyes were fixed on Jesus? Would I struggle as much with doubts and fears? How would I handle rejection? And publication?

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way…” Hebrews 12:1-2; The Message

Anita Mellott
From the Mango Tree

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“Get up!”

Anita Mellott writes to encourage others on their journey of life. With a background in journalism and mass communications, she worked for 13 years as a writer/editor for Habitat for Humanity International. She balances homeschooling and the call to write, and blogs at From the Mango Tree (http://amellott.wordpress.com/).

I stared at the computer screen. Red and green strikethroughs and edits masked my original text.

“Lord, what do these comments mean?” A tear splashed onto the keyboard.

I swallowed as I tried to process my first experience with a critique group. Their remarks, in the wake of my recent lay-off as a writer/editor with a nonprofit, only magnified my angst.
I knew writing was hard work, but following their advice to strip my writing of its journalistic tendencies was agonizing. Could I redirect years of training? How long would the paradigm shift from “telling” to “showing” take?

Is writing what I’m supposed to be doing?

Failure.

It’s not about you; it’s about the craft. It’s about getting better.

Who am I kidding? I’m never going to make it.

The battle within raged. Writing once energized me. Now it sapped me.
Before, I couldn’t wait to get to my computer to give life to the ideas that demanded release. Now I was barren, numb. Excuses became the order of the day.

“Isn’t this your writing time?” My husband looked at me curiously one Saturday as I grabbed my purse.

“Umm, I need a break.” Careful to avoid his eyes, I headed toward the door.

“Let’s do your nails,” I called to my tween as I passed her room.

“Really?” Her head popped around the door. “But you usually write in the morning.”

“Not anymore.”

On the few occasions when I dragged myself to the computer, I’d stare at the screen for what seemed an eternity. Then my fingers would fly over the keyboard only to turn to lead.

What if people laughed at my “dry” writing? Maybe this writing journey was best left a dream.
Fear’s icy tentacles continued to numb me. After several weeks, I buried my face in my hands and cried, “Lord, if writing is what you’ve called me to do, I need to know. I want to obey you regardless.”

A few days later, after yet another restless night, I went downstairs to my desk. In the early morning quiet, I read the day’s devotional passage, “The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid” (Matt 17:6b-7; NLT).

Through the day, the words of the One who is the Truth echoed in my mind. As they penetrated the deep recesses of my heart, discouragement and the fear of rejection and failure began to release their stranglehold on me.

The next morning I woke up, my mind swirling with ideas, replacing the confusion that had gripped me for weeks. Each idea competed with the other in its race to spill out.
“Get up,” they called. Shaky feet propelled me to my desk. Trembling hands turned on the computer. My fingers took on a life of their own trying to keep pace with my thoughts. As the words wove stories that began to embrace me, He seemed to whisper, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you.”

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