The roar from the TV filled the room as my husband and son sat glued to the football game on the screen. “Aw, come on!” my husband smacked his leg. “Can you believe this? They need to get rid of that guy!”
I slid the Thanksgiving turkey into the oven then stood and watched the instant replay of the ill-fated run for the first down. Untying my apron, I turned to my daughter, “What are you up to, sweetie?”
She smiled as she mosied past in her pj’s, a plate of snacks in hand. “Nothing, just hangin’ out . . . ” She popped her earbuds in and made her way to her room humming a Disney tune. I surveyed the scene for a moment, then slipped into the dining room, pushed aside a place setting, grabbed my laptop, and pursued my dream . . .
This is the way that last week of NaNoWriMo went; family fun, with little pockets of time tucked here and there to write.
With 21 chapters still to go and only one week left to write them, I didn’t think I stood a chance at finishing my NaNoWriMo project before December 1st. I wanted to give up as I fell farther and farther behind my daily word count goal.
Midway through the month, I decided to wave the white flag and just bag it. I was way behind and it would be a battle to catch up. Well, I guess that’s it . . . I was disappointed, but saw no way to pull it off. I thought the matter was settled, but when I opened my Bible study for the day, God met me in the opening section titled: “Settling Too Soon.”
So emboldened by God’s encouragement I pressed on.
I worked hard to catch up. God woke me earlier and earlier to meet with Him and begin the day’s writing. But still, I continued to fall behind. The same challenges that had hindered my progress before, intensified. New issues arose: family and friends in crisis, unforeseen home responsibilities, an increased workload in my church job. It seemed the harder I worked, the more arduous the task became.
Finally, the last week before the deadline arrived and I still had 21 chapters to write.
Impossible.
Once more, I pitched the white flag of surrender at the Lord’s feet. And again, He tossed it back, this time with a challenge to obey: “I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of his people.” So, I prayed, took God at His word, and did all I could feasibly do each day and still honor my other responsibilities and family time.
And all through the week, He provided unexpected pockets of time to write. Like time after a day spent Christmas tree shopping with my family; time after a family evening decorating our tree, sipping hot cocoa, and listening to Christmas music. My family enjoyed our usual family traditions, unhurried, without hassle, and . . .
God did it.
He pulled me over the finish line to meet my dream of writing a nonfiction book in a month. On December 1st at 12:01 a.m. I hit the last period in the last sentence with 52 chapters and over 61, 000 words filling my hard drive.
Today, I’m praising God that I didn’t ditch my dream. And I have only one thing to say about it: To God be the glory great things He has done!
What great things is God poised to do for you? Will you take Him at His word and persevere until you, too, cross the finish line? Trust me, it’s worth it!
Photos courtesy of Crestock.com
Comments 7
Bethany, I’m so impressed with your recent accomplishment. Leaves me with no excuses when I say, ‘I don’t have time to write’ or whatever…..my flesh or the enemy likes to use as a roadblock from accomplishing God’s will.
I can’t wait to read some of your dream….sharing God’s attributes.
Thanks for sharing your journey, Bethany. I’m proud of you and thankful that God carried you through this. I guess it’s proof once again that He gives us all we need to do what He’s called us to do…even if it is by pulling us over the finish line (I love that line)! Way to go!!! And yes, all glory to God!
Great post, Bethany. Congratulations for making your goal and thanks for encouraging us to reach ours.
Awesome job, Bethany! Definitely to God be the glory!!!! Thanks for sharing all of this. God bless.
God and God alone “pulled this off.” 🙂
Not bold enough to dream anymore, Beth. I fall a lot more than I like. I wanted three sons but God’s given me several friends & various struggles with three sons. I wanted to be married but God said, “not yet. There’s not a man created for you at this time/There’s not a man worthy of the suffering that is YOU.” I , oh, I’ll stop there. God’s kept me set aside just for Himself. Strange that I don’t LOVE it but I’m American & looking at what others have that I want or wanted. I miss my Mother’s gentle laugh & encouragement. Christmas is more “tuggy” than it was a few years ago. My siblings are married & one’s pregnant. “Jana, you are RIGHT where God wants you. Trust that,” she’d say. Oh, I’m sad but saved. Crying but content. I AM a dichotomy!! Praise God for our understanding and comprehension of the written word! You might pray that I either WANT to read again or finish my booky thing. :>) I love you, Merry Christmas.
Jana, I wish I had some answers to share with you, but I don’t. All I know is that God hasn’t forgotten you. You matter. Your life counts. I don’t understand what He’s doing (I rarely do), but I know He’s there for each of us–come what may. I am (and will continue) to pray for you. I love you, too, and hope you have a great Christmas and that you feel just how loved you are, by your family and friends.