I’m in a bit of a pickle. I’m writing part-time for two weekly newspapers and I really enjoy. I’m not on staff with either – I’m just a contributor. That works for me because it lets me continue to substitute teach and write from home (especially nice now that I have my own office). I’ve really enjoyed this set-up.
But…
I’m concerned about one of the papers. For the third time in two months they didn’t print my article. The first time I sort of understood – the editor was out of town and it was an article I pitched. I could sort of see how they would forget it. But the last two? The editor asked me to write them…then nothing.
I’ve been going through this over the weekend. I’ve been trying to decide what to do.
I don’t get paid a lot by this paper. I think I make about $2-3/hour by the time I submit an article. That’s not going to pay the mortgage. But there’s also the fact that I really enjoy writing for the paper. I like the area that they cover, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the people in the village and townships. There are times when I think I would write for less money than I already get…but it won’t matter if the stories never make it to print.
As I’ve been hashing and re-hashing, I had a moment: I’m a Christian writer.
Whether or not my prose is Christian doesn’t chance the fact that I am. Any writer can look at her checkbook and decide that a job doesn’t pay enough and it’s not worth sticking around. But I’m not any writer.
I’m not the one calling the shots – God is.
If I want to put that “Christian” in front of writer, then I need to start living it. That includes some time in prayer before I decide to quit (or take) a job.
With the busyness of life, it’s easy to forget that. It bothers me that I so easily forget it, but at least I keep coming back to God, right?
So here I am – contemplating my future and surrendering it to God. Again. I want to do this with all of my writing – not just my contemporary Christian novels, but with coverage of the local township planning commission meetings, too.
Hope y’all have a great week!
Good luck with your decision.
It is so easy to get caught up with life and decisions and forget to turn it over to God and to be that Christian each moment of our life. That is one of the reason I started my Powerful Prayful Monday on my blog. I figure if I start Monday morning off praying it will stick with me for the entire week and I can remain more Christian focused and then I start all over again the next Monday.
Thanks for the encouragement Susan.
Amy, getting side-tracked is my greatest battle right now. I'm so thankful each day that I remember to set special time aside for God. Your Mondays are such a great idea!