This past summer, I had the opportunity to do some white water rafting. There were calm stretches followed by wild, exhilarating times when the raft crashed through rapids, sending water flying over top of us!
(I’m the one in the back with the white hat).
The writing life is a bit like white water rafting. There are a lot of calm stretches when not much seems to be going on. Then there are times when it is a wild and exhilarating ride!
I recently won the best romance novel award at the Canadian Christian Writing Awards on June 15th in Toronto, Ontario for my book, Jasmine. There have been other encouraging things happening lately, too. I had a very large order of books to the Northwest Territories to use in schools there; an organization in Ontario placed an order for books they intend to use as required reading for their staff; and I’ve had some wonderful comments lately from reviewers and readers.
These are moments when I ride the wave. I have, for most of my life, been quite shy and reserved, and I spend my days writing books that are about difficult topics. I sometimes forget that Jesus said that He had come to the world so that we might have “abundant life.” In the book of Psalms, chapter 98, verse 4, it says, “Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth; praise him with songs and shouts of joy!” I sometimes forget that it’s okay to be “jumping up and down” happy.
There’s another Bible verse that I love. In Luke 12:32, it says, “Fear not little flock; for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” The kingdom is all the good things he has for us: peace, love, joy, hope, abundant life… So much to be “jumping up and down” happy about! So much to shout for joy about!
Hope all of you had a wonderful summer.
May the Lord bless you with His extravagant love and His exuberant joy!
Dorene Meyer
Author of Lewis, Jasmine, The Little Ones and Deep Waters
Now in book stores acrossCanada
Distributed by Word Alive Press www.wordalivepress.ca.
Available online and as ebook on Amazon www.amazon.com (key in title of book and publisher: Word Alive Press).
Coming soon – Joshua will be launched October 21 at 7:00 PM at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, MB.
Dorene,i love your books an just ordered two of your first books.”Colin’s choice”an Deep Waters”.i will order “Joshua”from the local book store.
Thanks!!