Love is… Supporting

7-29-18

I’ve had one of those weeks that seemed determined to knock down everything I tried to do. But I’m still here, and I want to share something good that came from it.

I felt loved.The people I know I can count on rallied around me and told me it was going to be ok. They showed me they believed in me even when there were reasons not to.

See, part of it is that I’m trying to have a story published. It’s a Christian novel, and it’s really important to me. I spent years working on it and now I’ve been trying to find an agent for it for the last couple years. For anybody not familiar with publishing, most of the books you see in bookstores are traditionally published, meaning a company put support behind it and is helping the author get it out there. And agents are kind of like the key for the publishing company’s door. The thing is, getting it published like this is hard.

Like, really hard.

Like studying for AP exams and applying for college and deciding on a college and having interviews to get in hard. Except it doesn’t end until either you find an agent and publisher or you decide to stop. Eight different people have said no so far. Some of them said no right after getting my letter asking if they’d be interested. Some asked to see part or all of the manuscript. Some have been very supportive even as they have told me no. But each time it’s hard to swallow.

Writing isn’t something anyone but me is making me do. I want to do it, but because it’s kind of a solo journey, sometimes it would be so easy to stop. To not take a chance on being told no again.

This was one of those weeks I needed support. My husband always tells me he thinks I should keep going. My cousin reminded me that some published authors are rejected more times than I have been for books that became wildly popular. And my friend reminded me that if God gave me a story, I need to share it because someone needs to read it. She reminded me that, just like in Esther, maybe I am in this place for a reason.

Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? – Esther 4:14

This afternoon, as I was writing up this post, my friend messaged me again. She said that they sang a song called The Anthem and it talks about “such a time as this.” I had never heard it before. She sent me the lyrics, and it talks about how we are here for this time. We can be the change this world needs. Timing is a funny thing like that.

I sent my story on to another agent. Maybe it will work this time. Or the next time. But for now, that’s where I am. And it means so much that there are people who choose to walk this journey with me. Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me so far.

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

We need to be there to encourage each other. It’s a huge part of loving with love like God’s. And to be able to encourage each other, we have to be close enough to know what is going on in each other’s lives. So let the people around you in. Be present for them. And let’s help each other along.

How about you? Have you encouraged or been encouraged by someone this past week?

May the Lord bless and keep you,

Heather