What Has God Done for You? Wednesday

Anybody want to sound off about God has been doing for you this week?

For me, he's allowed me to see the humor and beauty of life, even in stressful situations.

He's reminded me, again, how blessed I am to be surrounded by wonderful family and friends.

And I've been renewed in my awe of the sacrifice made two thousand years ago for us all. Perhaps we quote this verse so much that we've lost some of it's impact, but think about it now:

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

So above all the many things God has done to bless me, in this Holy Week, I want to give thanks and praise that I can have both abundant life on earth and eternal life in Heaven.

--Mandy

One (of many) writing fears . . .

Few things are more terrifying to me than a blank screen. (And yes, the screenshot above is actually mine. From today. Obviously, I'm blogging as procrastination--something I heartily disapprove of others doing!)

I don't know what kind of power that white space has over me, but it's almost like just looking at it paralyzes my hands. My fingers can no longer type. My brain no longer has anything witty for me to pen. Even thinking about it right now has me feeling panicked and frozen.

Maybe that sounds a bit dramatic (something I've never been accused of, thankyouverymuch). But I like to think I'm not alone out there in my fear of the scary first page. And I'm equally sure a psychologist would have loads to say about what this fear says about me as a person . . .

So I'm wondering if anyone else detests empty space as much as I do?

What do you do to get over it?

--Mandy

Answering the call

**Part 3 0f 5 0n God's Call

Something about John 21:15-19 has always intrigued me.

You probably know the story. Peter had failed miserably, denying Jesus three times, going so far as cursing to prove he wasn’t a follower of the Lord. But Jesus forgave Him and even restored Peter to his place of ministry.

Just before returning to the Father, Jesus had prepared an intimate time of fellowship with the disciples, and at the end of the evening, He began to talk to them about the future. It’s in this setting that Jesus asked Peter a crucial question: “Simon, do you love me?”

Then, Jesus revealed His purpose for Peter’s life. Peter was to “feed” the Lord’s “sheep,” to give his life to ministering Truth to a hurt, broken world. Peter would have to surrender everything to God in order to fulfill His call.

A difficult path for sure. One no one would choose on his own, but the truth is Peter’s story is not so unique. The specifics may be different for each of us, but God is calling all believers to lay everything down for Him.

John 21:15-19 suggests surrendering to God’s will was a process for Peter. So it is for all of us. Here’s how the call to teach played out in my life.

I’d begun my senior year of college excited about graduation but with no clue what I would do next. I loved writing and figured I’d probably go for a job in journalism, maybe write for a magazine. What I knew for certain was I would never, ever, not in a million years become a teacher.

So when people asked me what I planned to do after graduation, my stock and well practiced response was, “I don’t know, but I’ll never teach.”

At some point about half way through the fall of my senior year, I began to feel uneasy with my flippant attitude about teaching. Crazy thought, but I could see myself standing in a college classroom sharing my “vast wisdom” with hungry young adults. Could I have the same impact on students my professors had had on me?

Did I really want the long hours, low pay, and endless grading of a teacher’s life?

I began to pray, asking God for direction, listening for His answer.

Instead of telling me what to do, He asked me if I trusted Him enough to surrender everything to Him. Then, He showed me that He had worked everything in my life to bring me to this moment. And, yes, He was calling me to teach. The gifts, talents, and desires of my heart were ordained of Him and all perfectly aligned to equip me for this call He had placed on my life.

I won’t pretend answering God’s call is simple or easy. But I can tell you this, God has paved an amazing path for me, opened doors I never dreamed of, and blessed me with great students, wonderful colleagues, and a life that makes a difference for the kingdom.

So here’s the best advice I can give you. Be quiet before the Lord and let Him speak His purpose into your life.

Then, trust Him enough to say, “Yes.”


--Cheryl

Taking it to the Lord in Prayer

Sorry, I'm a little late posting this.

Anyone out there need something lifted up to the Lord in prayer?

Email, comment, whatever makes you comfortable.

What's God calling you to do?

**Part 2 of 5 on God's Call

I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself,
Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.
--Jeremiah 10:23

Ask anybody who really knows me, and they'll tell you I like to argue. I prefer to call it "debating," but I won't burn up words quibbling over the difference. Except to say that . . . okay, never mind.

And considering my affinity for verbal sparring, it was no surprise to my family when I announced my intention of going to college, majoring in Pre-law, attending law school, and becoming the inspiration for the actors who play ADA's on Law and Order.

Everything was progressing smoothly. I was accepted to a prestigious pre-law program at a university up north. I participated in intern-like programs with a local attorney. I honed my argumentative skills by sharpening them continually (to the dismay of friends and family alike).

So imagine my surprise when I wound up at a small college twenty minutes from my house, enrolled in the English program. Perhaps "surprise" is not exactly the right word for what I felt at the time.

I was angry. Frustrated. Lost.

Everything I'd ever wanted for my life was crumbling around me. Sure, I could go to law school after I got my BA in English, but that wasn't part of the plan!!!

At least, not part of my plan.

Eight years, several rejections, tears, and laughs, later, I'm a published writer and novelist.

What happened to so totally derail and then realign my ambitions? God did.

I won't say his voice was accompanied by thunderclaps and lightening bolts. Because in truth, I wasn't even sure what I was hearing from him for some time. But I noticed a definite pattern going on. Things that Mandy wanted (without any input from God) always seemed to blow up in my face. Doors slammed shut on me. And my passion for law, something that had so defined me, slowly dwindled and disappeared completely. God was calling me to be a writer, not a lawyer.
So how do you know what God has called you to? How do you make the big, difficult decisions on what to do with your life?

The first is rather simple, but absolutely necessary. Pray. The second thing. Pray some more. I won’t insult your intelligence by telling you that the third thing is to pray after you’ve finished doing points one and two . . . although it’s sound advice.

Next, Listen. God promises he’ll direct our steps and give us guidance, if we allow him to. He doesn’t promise that he’ll clang a cymbal and do a drum roll before he speaks in order to get our attention. Let the prompting of the Holy Spirit cut through the fog and chatter of day to day life. If we’re so busy (as in my case) telling God what we’re going to do, then we aren’t being quiet enough to listen to what He has to say.

And practically, figure out what you’re good at. God is not going to call you to do something that you have no talent or ability to do. And if he does, well, I'm convinced He'll provide whatever you need to be successful in your call and bring Him glory. Think about what you enjoy, as well. Although, I’m sad to say that what you enjoy and what you're good at don’t always coincide. I’ve heard many a person who loved music but sounded like a dying cat when they sang. Like Tuesday night on American Idol. Ouch.

I could write an epistle on this topic. Figuring out God’s call (or calls) for your life can be a difficult thing. What I can say without any doubt, however, is that a foundation of communication is the most important component to unraveling the mystery. And if you’re call ends up not being what you expected . . . Don’t be surprised.

Be grateful.

--Mandy

What has God done for you?

Time again to start thinking about what things God has done for you this week.

They don't necessarily have to be big or life-changing. Sometimes the smallest blessings make the biggest difference (feel free to quote that if you wish. I don't think I stole it from anyone).

Since last Wednesday, God has:

• Provided healing for my dad and peace for me and my family
• Made me aware of how blessed I am to have certain people in my life
• Given me guidance on my writing projects (something I sorely, sorely needed)

What about you?

--Mandy

Wherever I am . . .

As a child, I was terrified of death. I would often sneak into my parents' room in the middle of the night (because apparently, I never slept) and hold my finger under my their noses to make sure they were still breathing (nothing creepy at all about that). The habit was a compulsion, born of the fear that while I was sleeping, my mom or dad would pass away and I wouldn't be able to save them.

Strange how, as children, we think we have so much control over things completely beyond us. In hindsight, of course, I realize how little I could have done if one of my late-night trips had not turned out the way I expected. I was seven, didn't know CPR, and probably would have forgotten the number to 911 in my panic.

Unfortunately, things haven't changed that much, I suppose. I don't drive across town every night to check on my parents. But I do try to call them regularly, and if too long goes by without them returning my message, I start calling my sister and fleshing out a plan to see who will go check on them. I check my daughter every night before I go to sleep. On the slight chance I wake up in the middle of the night, I'm by her bed, just "making sure" she's still okay.

As an adult, I'd like to think I've moved past irrational fears, that I understand God's timing is perfect and He will give me the strength to endure even life's darkest moments.

But thinking so and really embracing the concept are two totally different things.

Which was why, when I got a call at 1 am Thursday morning from my sister, telling me she'd called an ambulance to take my dad to the hospital, I prepared myself for a nervous breakdown.

It didn't happen.

I drove calmly to the hospital, sat in the waiting room until the ambulance arrived (yes, I beat it by about 20 minutes), and prayed. Really, really hard.

I'd always thought a moment like the one where I got "a call" would devastate me. I wouldn't even be able to hear how serious the situation was because I'd be curled up in a ball on the floor. But I handled my dad's attack with a calmness and maturity I know wasn't from me. (Dad's doing great now, by the way!)

My lack of a dramatic, throw-myself-on-the-floor moment wasn't because I care less about my dad or love him less than I used to. Absolutely not. Looking back now, I'm horrified thinking about how things could have easily been much different. In the moment, though, I was at peace.

God never ceases to amaze me. He knew exactly what I would need before I did. He knew I would need strength to face one of my biggest fears. That I would need the presence and love of the Ultimate Comforter. And He knew everything was going to be fine.

I write this so I can look back as a reminder. As frustrated as I've been with life lately, things not working in my time, etc., it's reassuring to know that God's got everything mapped out. I just need follow directions (preferably without complaining . . . which will be pretty difficult for me).

He knows where this crazy ride will take me just as much as He knew where I'd be Thursday morning at 1 am.

--Mandy

Taking it to the Lord in Prayer--Friday

(Yet another of the new things we're trying).



I truly am the world's worst about sharing my prayer concerns with other believers. Really. I'm horrible.



I don't know why; it's not like I don't appreciate other people praying for me. I guess I feel awkward about just flipping my prayer concern out in typical everyday conversation.

Other Person--"Hey, did you watch the biggest loser last night?"

Me--"Yeah, and speaking of, I really would like you to pray for my [insert relative here]. She's having a hard time dealing with her husband's illness.

See? Maybe I'm just really bad at it, and that's why I never do it.

Well, here's a solution. Every Friday, we're going to open it up to you guys. The Bible tells us to "Pray for one another," (James 5:16), so let's do that.

Post your prayer concerns in the comments, shoot us an email, whatever makes you comfortable. And we promise we'll lift it up to God in prayer.

--Mandy

What Has God Done for You? Wednesday

Here's something a little different from what you're used to (at least from us).

We've decided every Wednesday, in an attempt to chronicle the many things God is doing in all of our lives, we're just going to have a little shout out session.

I'll start. This week, God has:

• Given me the strength to finish up my edits . . . get that bad boy in the mail . . . and have time just to veg.



• Allowed me the opportunity to share with all you guys again.



• Helped me survive daylight savings time. Barely.

What has God done for you this week? What would you like him to do?

--Mandy

What's the purpose?

*This post is the first in a five part series on God’s call on your life.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

I’m sure I’d read Jeremiah 29:11 hundreds of times before, but it didn’t take root in my heart until I came to understand that God has a call on my life, something He wants me to do, a specific plan He’s designed Himself.

I was beginning the last year of my Masters degree, graduation looming in the not too distant future. And I had no clue where I would work. My desire was to teach at my alma mater, a small liberal arts college with about 2500 students, but the English Department had no openings. My next best plan was to find a similar university and teach there. So I diligently checked job lists and sent my resume to several colleges, none of which had the decency to acknowledge my application with even a “thank you, but we’re not interested.”

When it was clear my plan wasn’t working, I decided to pray. Not that I thought my lack of employment mattered much to God when there were so many more important things—like healing the sick and saving the lost—for Him to concern Himself with. But desperate times call for desperate measures, so I plunged ahead with my prayers, all the time hoping the Lord wouldn’t be offended at my audacity in approaching Him for something so insignificant in comparison to the other things that required His attention.

One Sunday morning two months before graduation, I attended church as usual, but that was the only thing typical about the day. A guest evangelist preached on Jeremiah 28:11. I don’t recall the specifics, but I do remember his assurance that God has a plan for all of us. Something about that verse beckoned for my attention. I couldn’t wait to study the Scripture for myself.

I’d been a Christian for a number of years at this point, but I honestly never thought God might have something specifically planned for my life beyond being saved and living for Him. Never considered that He calls people other than pastors, evangelists, and missionaries to serve Him.

God thought about me? A revolutionary idea. He concerned Himself with my day-to-day existence?

I realized my focus was all wrong. Rather than worrying about employment, I needed to ask God what He was calling me to do. What were His thoughts for me? What was His plan? It wasn’t up to me to figure out what to do next. My job was to place myself squarely in the Lord’s care, to be still and listen as He revealed His purpose for my life.

Jeremiah 29:11 literally sets us free from worry over the future. If God has a plan, we don’t have to worry. We can trust that He will work out the details of our lives in His good time. That’s exactly what He did for me. First, God confirmed that He absolutely had called me to teach; that was His plan for my life. Then, He opened an amazing door that was well beyond anything I had hoped for. On a whim— a God moment?—I sent my resume to a large university and to my amazement was hired. It turned out to be the perfect place for me to begin my teaching career.

His plans for us are good— and they far exceed our imagination.

--Cheryl

What's with the new title?

For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

For those of you who have been with us from the days of the Writers' Pointe, and for our newcomers, you may be asking yourself, "What's up with the title? Just for this season? What?"

The title reflects the new focus of the blog, of the ministry we feel called to.

Cheryl and I are two people who have been pulled out of one Season of our lives and thrust into another. It's like going straight from Summer to Winter without the windy, beautiful, get-you-acclimated-to-the-coming-cold Fall in the middle.

And what is both scary and exciting at the same time, is I know this isn't going to be the last abrupt Season change for me. God is continually prepping me for the next step on my journey (as a side note, I've found the abruptness of the change comes after I've tried to ignore what God is leading me to do. Funny, that.)

I'm still a writer. I'm still cranking out happily-ever-afters and shredding my manuscripts with a purple pen (because red just seems so violent). So I'll still be nodding in my posts to my writing ministry. It's as much a part of who I am as what I do.

But what we want to do with this blog is broaden the focus. We understand that the women we come in contact with everyday are all at different stages (or Seasons if you will) of their life. And surely what God has to say to an often stubborn, intractable writer is just as applicable to the young woman struggling with finding Mr. Right or the lady battling with job instability in an unhealthy economy.

We've got some pretty cool ideas for how to incorporate your thoughts, feelings, fears, experiences, etc. into the blog. We're also open to suggestions and feedback. And I don't think I'm being crazy when I say God has quite a few words of encouragement for us ladies out here. And I, for one, am pretty excited to see what he's going to do with this.

--Mandy

We're Back

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, Cheryl and I decided it was best to step back from the Writers' Pointe and focus on our own writing projects.

We did that.

And I'm pleased, and humbled, to say God has moved in crazy, unexpected ways in our lives.

Cheryl has been asked to be a regular contributor for Christiandevotions.us. She's also completed a proposal for her Non-fiction Christian living book and is in the process of touching up chapters and compulsively editing.

Last month, Cheryl was appointed to the SC Commission on Women.

A few weeks ago, she won the SC Independent Colleges and Universities Excellence in Teaching award for North Greenville University.

She's also been approached to be a part of several collaborative projects.

And Mandy . . .

Well, I signed my first book contract last week.

I have another under consideration at the same house and am working on my third manuscript (who would have thought I'd even finish the first one . . . definitely a God thing!)

So, we've decided to come back to the blog (renamed Just for this Season) and share our journeys with you. Our hope is that by allowing others to see the life-transforming changes and opportunities God has worked for us, it will be an encouragement to our readers. We also hope you'll do us the honor of sharing your journey (whether it be writing, homemaking, finishing school, etc) with us.

--Mandy