Monday, August 30, 2010

Time and Time again

Debra E. Marvin

Measure my days, Lord. And take your time. I’m not in a rush.

I know a little bit more about time now that I’m over the hill, well, farther over the hill. I’ve decided that OVER THE HILL is the point in life where the days go by faster and faster.

Is it age or busyness?

Two weeks is forever when you’re waiting for something—like vacation. Or it can be barely enough time to look up from our everyday life to find it’s recycle day again.
Didn’t I just put that box out yesterday? Time is one way we measure our lives. Somehow, I don’t think God does.

I admit to spending a good portion of my life obsessing over the day when I would be . . . where I wanted to be. (I'm getting really close.)
I don’t do that much obsessing any more. I’m willing to let it all happen in God’s good timing and frankly, the slower the better.


Mom was right. The older you get the faster time goes by. And we all agree on that cliché Time flies when you’re having fun. So am I having more fun? Or have I just learned to enjoy things more and be pleased with the everyday joys? Every moment is precious. After all, the difficult times pass, just like the good ones and there’s no sense wishing either along any faster.

As for the inkwell . . .
Having a blog takes time, right?

Well, to be ‘salable’ a manuscript must come with a writer who is willing to present it--practically perfect--and take responsibility for a much of their marketing, as well. Without a presence, we writers were supposedly handicapped in any effort to sell a book. Publishers supposedly want us to come with our own tribe. So Gina gets this idea to pull together a group of contest finalists and a-blogging we went. Blogging, tweeting, facebook-friending and building up our own platform—all this while writing and editing? Oh, and having a full time life with family responsibilities, church and community involvement, and maybe a job or two thrown in? Do this and you have a chance to be published—if your book is amazing and the market is right and . . . Once published, expect the responsibilities to double. What joy!


I’ve done what I can. Just haven’t finished the book. But the reason I came into this blog was all about the above reasons. Paving my path to publication.
You know what? I might not get anywhere with this blogging stuff, but boy, did I find some wonderful new friends.


In the past year: I attended the ACFW conference and met some of my blog mates as well as many of the writers I knew only online. I was blessed to have my writing get the attention of a few agents and an editor or two. My mother’s health has been a giant roller coaster but, I was also blessed with a new grandson and the joys of watching my granddaughter go from a wobbly one year old to a confident, strong two year old person. My secure job was jolted into the new reality of zero funding and I waited six months to find out if I was going to have a job or not. I lost it, by the way, but got another one. I didn't take any time to worry.



So here I sit, celebrating my first blog-o-versary. My writing has improved, so has my confidence in it. God will do as He pleases with it, as I give it my best. I’ve learned to be okay with a lot more things. I've stopped being too busy to enjoy all my blessings.

And I've gained these amazing Inky sisters.



God only shows us what’s at our feet. We can look up and see Him but we can’t see what’s in our future, so we trust Him step by step. I’m excited to know that He has my ‘next year’ all
figured out already and He’s preparing me for it. I’m not rushing toward my goals, but plan on enjoying each day a little bit more along the way. I’m taking my time. Slow and steady. Unless I'm racing my granddaughter down the slide.

Excerpts of Psalm 139: O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!


I think God wants us to enjoy things more and stress a lot less, don't you?

What was the last event that caused you to stop racing and just try coasting for awhile? How long did it last? What little piece of joy have you worried away, or been too busy to enjoy?

Silly questions: When was the last time you went down a slide? played in a sandbox? listened, really stopped and listened to a bird's song?

Serious questions: When was the last time you went down a slide? played in a sandbox? listened, really stopped and listened to a bird's song? Really. I'm serious. Share a frivolous moment of lighthearted joy that you've experienced lately. I hope you don't have to go back too far to find one!

Thanks for reading. God bless you all and a extra dose for the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations.

Wednesday night, I'll be drawing the name of one of our commenters for a $10.00 gift certificate on Amazon.com. Remember to leave your email address safely - separate the (at) from the rest of your address. I'll need it to get in contact you with and know that you are interested in that $10.00 GC!

18 comments:

  1. Hi, Debra! Happy Blogoversary! Thank you for sharing with us and helping us to gain our own insight as we watch time "pick up speed". I wish you much happiness, success, and many years of enjoying your family and watching your grandchildren grow!

    I have cat-children. Cats are mysterious, mischievous and marvelous. My cats are all "rescue cases", but they have really rescued me! They have stood by me through thick and thin, never aloof, always attentive. Cats are wonderful entertainers! They make me laugh, even when I don't want to laugh! My black cat, Elvis, who is very beautiful and the "man" of my house recently stole my cornbread. That's right, cornbread. Took it off the saucer when I wasn't looking, and ate the whole piece (wasn't even buttered). He then looked at me like he wanted another serving! I laughed at that for a whole week. When I took the second half of that batch out of the freezer to thaw out, I thought sure it was safe because it was wrapped in plastic and sealed in a freezer bag. Not so. Elvis went to the kitchen in the dark, drug the cornbread from the counter, ripped open the bag, and started munching! That's the way I found him later when I flipped on the light. I'm not sure which one of us was more surprised! I let him outside and threw the cornbread out after him for his dining enjoyment! I lost my cornbread, but I gained a lighter heart : )

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  2. Virginia, that Elvis sounds like a handful!

    Deb, I think we all need the reminder to slow down every once in a while, (at least in American society.) I did that this last week when my son started school a week before my daughter. She needed my time and attention and I consciously set aside 'duties' just to play. I found out that the computer was still there when I got back to it. All the things clamoring for my attention got it. But she came first. It was kind of liberating!

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  3. Oh Virginia what a story. Cats are so funny. Once in awhile, you find one that just loves the oddest thing -- well odd to a cat! We had one that obsessed over fresh green beans and was in the basket or in the sink trying to get at them. Who knew?

    But cornbread for Elvis? sounds perfect! It's nice to have a man around the house who loves your baking, isn't it?

    I'm so glad to see you here this morning. It put a big smile on my face!

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  4. Lisa, it's so true that we have to sometimes make 'play' an item on our to do lists . . .

    I'm glad you had some of that extra special one-on-one time with your daughter! When her playmate went off to school, you had to fill in. Good for you!

    Thanks for the new update on Inkwell, Lisa. It's amazing, as always! You keep us looking goooood.

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  5. I really listened to the birds sing yesterday. It was amazing. But as for going down a slide or playing in a sandbox... that has been ages. I enjoyed this post. I have learned some of the lessons you have shared and they are valuable! bholton1[at]bellsouth[dot]net

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  7. Deb--

    I love how your "in person" voice comes through your written words. I always feel like we are sitting across the table talking when I read your posts! It's been so fun to get to know you. And I'm so glad we got to meet in person last year!

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  8. Great post now just to apply the thought of slowing down.

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  9. Hey Adge!
    I'm so glad you stopped in and spoke up! You've done the bird song, now you must do the slide!

    We got the sandbox for my granddaughter after I gave her a tray of sand and seashells to play with over Memorial Day weekend. She played for hours with it!
    I guess it's almost as good as walking the beach and picking shells--that's my favorite mental escape!

    I'm glad to be able to put your name in the 'sand bucket' for a thank you gift. We so appreciate our friends's sweet words!

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  10. Hey Anne! What a nice compliment! Thank you. It was amazing to meet you in Denver last year, and be along for the ride when you received your first contract!

    I know we are all looking forward to reading your debut book!

    Sending hugs to you and looking forward to seeing you again in person. Hopefully ACFW 2011~

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  11. Louise. Wow. I hope you know how much your post yesterday touched me. I love Sunday devotionals at the Inkwell. I suggest to our visitors today to scroll on down and read our guest LOUISE's post from Aug 29.

    Thanks for stopping in today and for being such a consistent 'commenter!'. We love to write but having feedback from readers puts a smile on our faces everytime!

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  12. I don't think time exists in the spirit world, which would explain a lot. Even within the universe, scientists have discovered that time is relevant based on mass, velocity, placement in the universe, etc...

    When I first started writing, I didn't know if God even wanted me to try for publications. About a year and a half ago, I felt that yes, that was the goal. But then I spent the following year trying to figure out how to press toward that goal without feeling pressured or impatient. I think I've gotten it all figured out now, at least for the moment. Just keep doing my part, and leave the rest to God.

    I went down a lot of waterslides recently on vacation, does that count. I picked up my almost eight year old and danced and spun around the living room last week. We both had fun.

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  13. Dina, I never had a concern that you would let busyness take away too many moments of pure joy.

    Waterslides count! and spinning in the living is good for the soul!

    Some day we'll be in that 'timeless' place with the Father and we'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

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  14. Deb, I love, love, love this post. Sounds like the Lord has used the Inkwell to bless us in similar ways.

    I also love your pics. I have to say, though, that I now avoid slides. I went down one with my son a few years ago and oh wow, I don't know what happened, but whee! The thing was steep and I flew off the end and landed on my posterior. It hurt for months, so maybe I cracked my tailbone. I don't know. But now I just stick to running through the sprinklers with the kids and leave the slides to them!

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  15. Well thanks Susie!

    I was playing alongside Grace in the sandbox this weekend. I admit that even in my playtime I was being obsessively orderly. stacking shells in one pile, stacking play toys in another and coral in another. (yes the coral was obtained legally many years ago by my mom)

    Call me crazy but organization makes me relaxed too.

    I'm looking forward to what we all have to say about our year as Inkies, Susie!

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  16. Hi Debbie, I love reading you & your compadres' posts--even though I rarely have time to leave a comment. Keep sending!
    Sheila

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  17. Thanks Sheila. I hope you're doing well, too! Thanks for commenting.

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  18. Congratulations to ADGE. I drew her name for the $10.00 gift card for Amazon.com!

    Thanks for your comments, everyone!

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