Humbled . . .

  

It's Christmastime, hands down my favorite holiday of the year. Celebrating the birth of Christ, the humbled King of Glory come down to earth to save mankind by giving us a glimpse of the goodness and love of the Father . . . having to face the actualities of being human? Priceless.

Humility comes more easily for some than others. Most of us have something, big or small, we think we can do well. I told myself one day after trying unsuccessfully multiple times to "simply" attach a part to the hose of our air compressor and erupting in tears at my repeated failures to do so, feeling incredibly stupid, that I was a good driver. It seemed the only thing I could think of that I could do well.

Way back before it wasn't politically correct to label children's abilities on the SAT tests, I actually scored in the high 90 percentiles in all things English, Comprehension, and Literature. However, I scored abysmally in Mechanical Reasoning and Spacial Relationships. I still remember being baffled by the questions and drawings and finally had to randomly select answers. If I remember correctly, I scored in the 20 percentiles in those two categories and the results of those scores were labeled "Moron". Seriously. Needless to say, I've been experiencing my own brand of humbling for a long, long time.

There have been two constants in my life, going back to early childhood: horses first, then writing stories. At the age of 20, this city girl finally found a way to be around horses at a Thoroughbred racetrack. Stayed in horse racing for a long, long time. My first novel was a comprehensive story of middle echelon horse racing, and it took me 8 and 1/2 years to complete it while still working at the track. So what does this have to do with humility? Everything.

In horse racing a "good" horse is one that wins big races, often known as "stakes races". The strongest and best proceed to the famous Triple Crown. Many very good horses are set aside from injuries on their way to these grueling races. Few individuals get to experience a really good horse. And all along the way of racing, the humbling takes place in how we "fail" with the horses we have. We run them in too tough of spots. We get nosed out at the wire. And the list is endless.

I don't need to explain to writers how humbling this field of endeavor can be. Rejections, negative reviews, rejections . . . And the list is again endless.

Yet it is far better to accept humility than to assume we deserve something better. Our very own personal Savior regarded becoming less than the angels so important because of us, each of us. Not faceless names in a chaotic crowd, but individuals with the triune God as our Creator, designed with His unique touch in our DNAs to produce beauty and truth for His pleasure. To catch the scope of this precision is . . . humbling.

Most of us write for a specific audience concerning our genres and with our voices. Let us never forget who supplies the inspiration and the talent for what we write. Apart from Him we can do nothing. Stay humble, my friends. And may the joys of Jesus be yours this Christmas.

                             


Nicole Petrino-Salter writes love stories with a passion. And a little rebellion. Humbly. Please visit her at hopeofglory.typepad.com.

  

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Top 5 'Must Haves' on a Writer's Desk

There’s a lot of interest about writer’s desks, like they’re some sort of holy shrine or something, especially those belonging to the big names. Stephen King is featured with his feet kicked up on his desk on the cover of his book, On Writing. I’ve even seen pictures of author’s desks pinned on Pinterest. Some are tidy. Most are not. 

Regardless, everyone wants a peek at a writer’s desk. And so I ask…what’s the big deal?!

Desks generally have four legs and a flat surface. There’s usually some kind of chair in front of them. Random office supplies are likely to be stationed on one corner or another. Scouring a picture of an author’s desk and then replicating it at your house isn’t going to make you a better writer.

Or is it?

I propose that there are some items wannabe writers could and should attain that reside on every successful author’s desk.

A Drawer Full of Humility

One of the great things about writing is that the possibilities for learning and growing in the craft are endless. Truly great authors realize they don’t know it all and continually polish their craft. And even the biggies get 1 star reviews, which tends to sag the ol’ pride sails in a quick-slap hurry.

Learn to be humble.

Perseverance Paperweights

Finishing manuscript after manuscript takes dogged determination. There’s not a whole lot of glamour in parking your behind in a chair and typing away for hours on end—but that’s what it takes. Toss your preconceived notions of effortless storytelling into the nearest dumpster. It’s work.

Learn to be persistent.

Compassion Dispensers

Isaac Asimov, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harriet Beecher Stowe…these are just a few names of some of the superstars who took the time to mentor writers who weren’t as far along on the literary journey as themselves. No matter what stage of the game you’re at, there’s always someone who’s newer to the trade than you are—someone who could use a helping hand.

Learn to reach out.

Professionalism File Folders

No one likes a whiner. A diva. A perpetual eater of sour grapes. Most people don’t prefer cotton-headed-ninny-muggers, either. While it’s true that writing is a solitary pastime, when your work does begin to sell, you’ve got to be a team player. Communicating with agents and editors should always be with a respectful tone.

Learn to be accommodating.

3-Ring Binders Full of Patience

Whether you’re waiting to hear back from your first-ever query, or already have several books on the shelf, patience is indeed a virtue. And it’s not something that falls by the wayside even when you’re a NY Times bestseller. Even big names are waiting for royalty checks, sales figures, the next contract, etc.

Learn to be enduring.

If you’re missing any of those 5 ‘Must Haves’ on your desk, take a tip from this author…get them. It’s not about the physical décor, it’s the interior. Yours.

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas…professionally, however, for the past 10 years. Her latest release, UNDERCURRENT, is available by Risen Books. You can find her at: Writer Off the Leash, www.mmgriep.com or on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

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A Sermon Just for Me by Marcia Lee Laycock

Marcia writes from Central Alberta Canada where she and her husband are involved in planting a new church. Her devotionals have been widely published and in 2006 she was awarded the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone.

Last Sunday, as I settled in my chair I prayed a quick prayer. “Talk to me, Lord.”

My husband tends to be a spontaneous person and I’ve gotten used to him doing unexpected things. Sometimes. But last Sunday he surprised me by announcing that I was going to give my testimony that morning, in 3 minutes or less. He hadn’t warned me about this, probably because he didn’t know he was going to do it until that very moment. As I walked up to the front I was thinking, Good thing I’m good at public speaking. The testimony part is a breeze, but in 3 minutes? No doubt he gave me a time limit because he knows my tendency to go on and on. He did have a sermon to preach that morning. So I did what he asked and all went well. As I expected it would.

Then my husband got up to preach. The sermon was on Mark 12:41-44 – a short passage of scripture that seemed straightforward as he read it out loud. The widow gave all she had. She was extremely generous. She put the religious leaders to shame. But my husband, bless him, took a different tack when he said, this little bit of scripture is really about pride and humility. Huh?

I felt God tapping me on the shoulder. I was feeling quite self-satisfied, having just given my testimony clearly, with just the right emphasis. In fact I was thinking, ‘I really am good at that.’ The more my favourite preacher spoke the more I felt like crawling under my chair. I knew that what had just happened was no coincidence.

God was talking to me but I wasn’t particularly happy to hear it.

Then my favourite preacher started talking about generosity. Okay, that’s better. I sat up a bit. Then he said, “the core of generosity is humility.” Oh. And he gave Haddon Robinson’s definition – “humility is confidence properly placed.” Oh dear.

When Proverbs 29:23 appeared in big bold letters on the screen I had to grin just a little. “Pride brings you low.” Right. I really should remember that.

I was encouraged, when my husband acknowledged that he, and everyone else in the room, all struggle with pride. It’s a big part of the human condition. The trick is to catch ourselves at it, repent of it, and put ourselves back in the place where we all need to be, at the feet of Jesus. Confidence properly placed. Right.

I definitely have to remember that.

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Driving Thru By Marcia Lee Laycock

I was inching forward in the drive-thru at Tim Horton’s coffee shop the other day, and feeling a little sorry for myself. Well, okay, maybe a little more than a little.

I’d had an email from my publisher telling me a statement of the sales for my novel, One Smooth Stone, was on its way. He also said the sales “weren’t what we were hoping for.” As I pondered what that meant I sighed, noting he had not mentioned a royalty cheque.

Good thing I had just signed on to begin a new job, stocking book racks for a small distribution company. The books are all Christian and the money is surprisingly good, but in my pity-party mood I grumbled about helping to sell other people’s books instead of my own. I wondered if God was trying to humble me.

Just as that thought came into my head I pulled alongside a large garbage bin. A woman dressed in the Tim’s uniform approached it at the same time. She was attractive, even in the uniform, and looked just a bit younger than me. She tugged the large bag out of the receptacle and went about replacing it with a new one.

Well, at least I’m not doing that, I thought. Then she looked up and gave me the most amazing beaming smile. I recovered from my shock just in time to smile back.
As I drove away sipping my coffee I pondered what had just happened. That woman’s beaming smile told me that she did not consider it demeaning in any way to be changing that garbage bag. I don’t know if she is a believer in Christ, but she certainly seemed to have his attitude about service.

And I was humbled. I realized God was trying to wake me up to the fact that being content and even happy doesn’t depend on what my work is or on how many books I sell, it depends on what I believe about myself and about Him.

I began to examine those two things in relation to one another. Who am I? A child of Christ, loved beyond measure and blessed to an abundance that is staggering. What do I believe about God? That He wants only my good and will move heaven and earth to bring me to an awareness of his goodness and glory.

Funny thing. I glanced in the mirror and noticed I had the most amazing beaming smile.

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." Psalm 63:3-5)

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