If Only I Had a Spare Moment, I'd...

Karen Schravemade is my friend from Australia. I love the way she says, "Mom". Karen is living a life many young moms do: several young children, developing a career, volunteering, and all the other things mom's pack into a day. Come read her honest and encouraging words...ripe for anyone with a busy schedule.

A Childhood Dream

My dream of becoming a writer began as a child. I loved books from the very start, but I vividly remember the moment when I first realised I could be a shaper of stories rather than just a passive recipient.

"Mum," I asked, "where do the storybooks come from?"

"People write them," she replied.

Those simple words sparked something revolutionary inside my little-girl brain. Right then and there, I knew that was what I wanted to do.

I wanted to write stories.

That dream has stayed with me from childhood, and I've never wavered from it. That doesn't mean there haven't been times of discouragement along the way.

The road to publication has not been easy. But that's a very good thing. It's forced me to become a better writer. To hone my craft. To develop as a person, with a deeper understanding of what makes us human - the common heart-cries that bind us together, no matter how different we may appear."

And along the way, I've grown to understand that while God may call us to something, it's our job to grow into that calling. To take our raw talent and shape it into something worthwhile, then offer it back to Him for His glory.

I have two small boys a toddler girl and a baby boy. I juggle part-time work with being a stay-home Mum, and all the pressures that come with both roles. I'm a wife, a mother, a teacher a friend, and a daughter of God trying to walk the journey of faith as best I can in the midst of life's everyday craziness.

I'm also a writer of inspirational women's fiction.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the various responsibilities in my life. Many people have told me they set their writing aside for a season while their children were small.

It's made me think - is it really possible to juggle personal dreams alongside the responsibilities of motherhood and do both well?

Before having children, I use to dream about writing acclaimed novels in my spare time. Now I dream about having spare time, and my greatest ambition is to get a full night sleep.

In the end, my prayer had been that God would show me what he desires for my life in this season. Not what other people think is doable or achievable. Not what I think I can comfortably handle. But what he wants me to do.

Meanwhile, I'll keep holding onto that childhood dream, knowing that God plants gifts and passions into our lives for a reason. I may not yet have seen the fulfilment of that dream, but I know one day it will come to pass, as long as I never give up on the seed God planted in my heart all those many years ago.

Visit her website: http://www.karenschravemade.com
Or her mummy-blog: http://ahousefullofsunshine.blogspot.com.au/

How have you grown into the calling God has given you? What questions can we help you with?

Suzanne Woods Fisher - Overcoming the Fear of Failure

We've all had something fail. Maybe a school assignment, baking a cake, changing a car tire. Well that was my shortlist confession. There really is a mile long list that you don't want to hear. Talk about a quick drive to the blues. Even one negative comment in a barrel full of praises can take us down. Sigh. Why oh why do we remember the one negative one and forget the positives. You are not alone. We all do this. But there is a way of escape. Today, Suzanne Woods Fisher is going to share her story. The Fear of Failure “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13, niv). Years ago, before I received my first book contract, an editor returned a manuscript to me with the comment that the writing wasn’t up to her publishing house’s “caliber.” Ouch! That was a tough remark to swal...

A Memory Device For You

Photo Courtesy Recently I added a memory game to my week's activities. It all started when I listened to one of those fabulous sermons in church and actually took notes. Later in the week, I recalled liking the sermon and searched for the notes, but lamented when I couldn't find the piece of paper. I quizzed myself: What was the general topic? I racked my brain…good grief this was Thursday and a thousand other things had happened when I asked the question. After a cup of tea, visualizing where I sat in the sanctuary, and using every other means possible to remember the general topic I finally answered the question. The process to recall the rest of the good things said was an epic fail. Although I have since started using a notebook I have created a memory game. On Monday, at any point during the day, I try to say the following without the use of my notes: General topic of the sermon Main book of the Bible used Application p...

Laughter and Singing at the Homeless Shelter

It was a night to remember. A night to tell friends about. So I am... Fifty men, women, and teens rode in busses on icy expressways into the inner city. They poured out of the bus at a homeless shelter unsure where to go, what to do, or what to say. One led the pack through the main doors, pass security checkpoints, and on through winding hallways to a large room. At night, this room is filled, wall to wall, with cots, blankets, and at this time of year, cold homeless men, women, and children. On this evening before the night, hundreds of chairs formed straight rows and faced a platform. The fifty set up sound and instrument equipment. Singers cozied in the limited platform space. Instrumentalists tuned their instruments. A few residents poked their heads in the door. Intrigued, they came in and watched the first measures of several songs start, stop, start again. Microphone levels adjusted. The singers laughed. Chattered. The group stepped off to the side and...

The Storyteller | Mary Vee

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