My parents have been visiting, so we’ve been enjoying dinners out, walks with the dog, trips to Barnes and Noble to ogle my book
Last Wednesday, for instance, for the first time in more than five years of blogging, I didn’t publish a blog post. I didn’t even publish a piece from the archives. I didn’t write a word, not because I didn’t have anything to say, but because I chose to spend that time with my family.
I’m learning some hard lessons during this wilderness time, friends, but I’m learning some good, important lessons, too. Lessons I’m not sure I’d learn at all, were it not for the wilderness.
As much as I’d hoped and prayed that Spiritual Misfit would be an instant break-out success, and as much as I was crushed to learn it fell far short of that goal, it turns out that disappointment is offering some much-needed perspective for me.
The truth is, my job isn’t the be all and end all. For more than five years I put every ounce of my being into the writing and publishing process. A year ago, even six months ago, I would never have considered not publishing a blog post on a scheduled day. That wasn’t option, because I was a slave to my job and a slave to my idol of success.
I know when some of you, or even most of you, read that I didn’t publish a blog post on a Wednesday in October, you think, “So what? Who cares? What’s the big deal?” And you’re right, it’s not a big deal. Or it shouldn’t be. But it was for me. It was a milestone of sorts.
Because sometimes, dare I say even most of the time, milestones are measured in millimeters, rather than in miles.
[Micha Boyett offered a similar revelation in this post, which I read a couple of weeks ago and which made a lasting impression on me. “Having a strong work ethic doesn’t mean living up to impossible standards,” Micha says. Mmmhmmm. Pretty much everything Micha Boyett writes leaves a lasting impression on me. You should read her.]
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I’m really excited to be over my friend Dolly Lee’s place today, chatting about 50 Women as part of her Trust Series. Dolly is also giving away a copy of 50 Women Every Christian Should Know
Gosh, Michelle, I really love your honesty. It’s a joy to read your posts. So refreshing. So real. And I’m so glad to have found you. Congratulations on this milestone AND having such a great time with your parents! 🙂
Thanks so much, Anita. I’m grateful you stopped by – glad you are enjoying what you are finding here!
Michelle, I’m having trouble posting at Dolly’s, so I will here. Your words always uplift me, and what is so wonderful about your latest book (and there will be more!) is how you highlight other women’s words throughout the centuries to encourage and uplift. There is so much wisdom here to be mined, and also on your blog. And btw, you are your mother’s clone, and you are both as cute as buttons! So there! =] And just so wonderful that you dropped everything to spend time with your family!
Love you so much,
Lynn
Hahaha, Lynn – people always say my mom and I look alike. I’ll take that as a compliment – she’ll be 73 in a couple of weeks and looks great (and is in great shape too!).
Aboslutely a compliment! And btw, your post really encouraged me today to drop everything when Mother called. I adore my mom, but was in the midst of a writing deadline. I remembered your post and stopped and we must have talked nearly two hours. And now Sheridan and I are going to take a walk on this burnished-golden Indian summer’s day. So there! =] Pray I can get the writing done; it’s not flowing…….but I’m going.
Love you!
Lynn
I know your parents are thrilled to visit and so proud of you, Michelle! I remember the first time I dared to NOT blog for a time. It is an awkward, even scary, feeling, even when my reasons (working on my novels) was a good one. I look forward to all of your blogs, my friend, and know this time in the wilderness will bring you blessings you could never imagine.
Blessings, my friend!
Thanks, Martha – I am so grateful for your support and encouragement, friend.
Boy can the Wilderness teach us… it also offers the opportunity to reflect on what our calling is and what are priorities are. I am so very glad you had the week with family and your folks. That, my dear friend, was the number one priority 🙂
Denise has started 50 Women and is thoroughly enjoying it (as am I since she shares it with me while she is reading).
I read 50 women a while back. Excited to hear there’s a new book – Spiritual Misfits- hmmm sounds interesting . I enjoy your writing . Glad you took a break for your family – those times are priceless- good gifts from God.
Maybe when it starts to snow your parents will consider a visit with us. Love to you all.
Just popping in again, Michelle…I got to read your wilderness post. I knew you’d had a hard road recently but not the full extent 🙁 I tuck it ALL in deep in the fresh joy of writing memoir 😉 (though I have already had some rough places…) The wilderness and learning promise…it’s so very much THE journey of our lives…take heart, He has overcome the world…xo