Comments on Inkwell Inspirations: Never Give Up!

Debra Marvin I am not sure whether Jenny Churchill...

2012-01-26T07:11:17.954-05:00

Debra Marvin I am not sure whether Jenny Churchill's type of 'work ethic' was anything to be proud of according to what I have heard of her.

"I am ready to meet my maker, but I am not su...

2012-01-26T07:09:16.026-05:00

"I am ready to meet my maker, but I am not sure if my maker is ready for meeting me" One of Mr. Churchill's shorter soundbites that has always stuck with me.

Hello, Inkies! Winston Churchill is one of my abso...

2012-01-25T00:09:38.104-05:00

Hello, Inkies! Winston Churchill is one of my absolute favorite people to spend time with, and he never ceases to inspire me. Why, just this Christmas, I had the Captain build me a stand-up desk, because "Well, Churchill had one, and it worked out well for him..." And so it has for me, too.

As a writer who likes to link true-life historical figures to her stories, I love collecting the habits of great people as a sort of memento of having spent time with them. A small connection that reaches through time and adds to my life in so many ways.

Even when it's only a stand-up desk.

Loved the quotes, DeAnna. I'm not even going to start with those, or I'd go way over the word limit for a comment. But I did want to mention that so many times when we are "led" to do things, it often takes us through territory we have never traveled before. It takes a lot of courage to do that. And I agree with Suzie that learning to trust the Lord in those situations is the vital key.

I can relate. My pastor once compared me to a sna...

2012-01-24T23:30:48.908-05:00

I can relate. My pastor once compared me to a snapping turtle -- from the pulpit! ;)

DeAnna, I love the "never give up" theme...

2012-01-24T21:56:08.841-05:00

DeAnna, I love the "never give up" theme. It's one of my favorites and truly inspiring.

I've been in a position before where I felt led to do something. Well, when things didn't work out quite the way I thought they would (after all, I was led to do this so it should work out, right?) I ended up having to go in a different direction. But, I don't give up easily. I am the most stubborn person I know (my family agrees). So I prayed about it for a very long time, and I constantly felt the same nudge I felt when I felt led to do it.

It does seem strange that God can led you to do something, then lead you to stop doing it. Why would He do that? Because He knows what is best for me, and when I listened and followed His lead, I grew. The experience gave me confidence, it helped me come out of my shell, it helped me with my self esteem, and I gained valuable experience in dealing with many things. And, in being led away from it, I learned the most important thing of all - Trust Him. If we pray and trust Him, I think we'll be able to see if He's leading us, or if we're leading ourselves.

Thanks DeAnna. Great post, great question.

That's so interesting. I had no idea!

2012-01-24T21:26:30.566-05:00

That's so interesting. I had no idea!

We watched "Into the Storm" (a biography...

2012-01-24T21:25:26.947-05:00

We watched "Into the Storm" (a biography of Churchill's war years) last week. He was definitely single minded!

Deb, I believe that in addition to being American, Jenny Churchill was part Native American. Have we ever had an American president with any NA ancestors?

Definitely the feast or famine for me. Okay, mayb...

2012-01-24T20:38:59.713-05:00

Definitely the feast or famine for me. Okay, maybe snack or famine, but it's better than famine and famine. :)

Amen on everything happening at once! The writer&#...

2012-01-24T20:37:13.948-05:00

Amen on everything happening at once! The writer's life seems to be feast or famine.

Now for a complete over generalization--the British seem to have such a gift for oratory. I'm sure it has something to do with the school system, but just never ceases to amaze me. Sir Churchill was one of the best too.

Yes, Sus. Exactly. And I've found that, onc...

2012-01-24T15:22:26.326-05:00

Yes, Sus. Exactly.

And I've found that, once we wait FOREVER, suddenly everything happens at once. :D

Or is that just me?

Great post, DeAnna! (And I loved the conversation ...

2012-01-24T14:34:49.055-05:00

Great post, DeAnna! (And I loved the conversation between him and Lady Nancy, too.)

Sometimes God does call us to new things, but until He does, we're supposed to keep going, even when we don't see results. I've been convicted a lot lately that God is working and active throughout all our circumstances, even when we don't see Him.

Thanks, DeAnna!

I think you're right, Dina. We get a shift in...

2012-01-24T12:33:43.915-05:00

I think you're right, Dina. We get a shift in our desires and just a "knowing."

And, yes, isn't that a great quote? It's always made me laugh. :D

"Secrets of the Manor House" sounds great, Debra. I had no idea his mother was American!

I just thought of the story of Jacob and Rachel. W...

2012-01-24T11:50:39.102-05:00

I just thought of the story of Jacob and Rachel. Would you have worked seven more years to get Rachel after basically being tricked? But it was in God's plan for Jacob to learn from this. He fell head over heals with Rachel but God knew they weren't ready. Seven years later apparently wasn't enough either!

Hmmm. I think this is all tying in to another conversation we've had about being ready for publication.

Waiting for God's timing is tough, but look how He blesses us when we don't give up though the rough spots.

I just watched Secrets of the Manor House on PBS Sunday, and they showed a photo of young Winston with his American mother. One of those wealthy American women who brought money back into the British aristocracy.

Fun to see him as a young boy, as well. Apparently he credited a lot of his pluck from his clever and 'strong work ethics' mother.

I just had an article in an online magazine with a...

2012-01-24T09:39:34.778-05:00

I just had an article in an online magazine with a similar theme. Yes, if God calls you to something, never give up. I would add also, learn to rest in Him for refreshing during the battle.

How do you know when he calls you to something different. Now that's a little tough. But I would say generally the same ways we hear the call in the first place. Anything from a radical voice or visions to a quiet shift in desires and sense of rightness in our hearts.

And love the quote at the end. LOL.