Thursday, January 12, 2012

Trust


 some thoughts on Faith by Debra E. Marvin

Trust is my 'one word' for 2012.  ONE-WORDING is a new trend, and it's good for you. Something like eating Greek Yogurt.  We don't need to pick a 'one-word' any more than we need to eat Greek yogurt, but, hey if it works for you, do it.

Last year my 'one word' was Submit. It was a dual-purpose word. Submit to God and stop trying to be the boss, and Submit a completed manuscript for consideration by agents and editors.  I think I did both. ( I DID submit the manuscript... I'll let you know what happens, the other...well it's not complete but it's in progress.)

For those who aren't sure how submitting a life and giving up control (TRUST) can be enjoyable, I say, it is. Sometimes. Hey, if it was easy to believe in things that you can't see and turn over control, become a better person, etc, etc, the news on tv would be about butter sculptures and puppies finding their way home all the time. Humans are rather complicated. We are all 'pieces of work'.

Submitting and Trusting is hard enough when life is easy. But life's a series of valleys and mountains, and some of us complain even when we are on the 'plains'! No wonder we squirm when things get tough.

Some of you know that I have lived alone for awhile and, risking your opinion of me, I'll once again admit... I love  it. If a person who loves to be alone is a weirdo, then, whatever. It's not like I was in a mountain lean-to for twenty years and only talked to myself.

But that word submit came into play and God brought the opportunity to have a house-mate. I knew it was the right thing to do, and I knew it was from God. When my selfish nature rises up in panic, I pretty much know it's from God. (imagine smiley face graphic here) It has been a blessing and I've enjoyed it. I shock even myself. I'm not Shrek after all!

2012 approached and it looked ugly. I've once again lost my job. My taxes have tripled. Peanut butter has skyrocketed. And my writing 'hit the skids'. I'd submitted and I feared my answer was...all your work, years of effort, was for nothing.

But I learned that if I am a writer and if a manuscript falls in the woods and no one hears it, I am still a writer. Nothing we do in the pursuit of our dreams is a waste.
This all came about  around the time I decided my new 'one word' was TRUST. Coincidence?

Recently my room-mate and I have welcomed in a third person. Basically it's me (strange old writer chick in pajamas) and two fresh faced young woman who at 19 and 20 have a whole life ahead of them and at times are crazy with not knowing what's ahead, what will work out and what to do.

Darn. I have to remind them that it doesn't change if you add three years or thirty. I had those crazy days. They were called 'all those years between 19 and now.'

R. and S. Still young enough to ice skate, have fun,
and not worry about breaking a hip...



Here's two amazing quotes from Corrie Ten Boom and if you don't know her story, you need to know it.

"Every experience God give us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see."

"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."

I cling to those two quotes today, this week, this year as I remind myself to trust that God is in control and He has plans for me that surpass anything I can imagine. When I trust the impossible to God, He is pleased. It's what He likes best!
Those plans might not look like much to us but they are big for Him. Our actions, (my writing, this blog) may or may not touch and effect anyone today but when we are willing to trust God for our futures, we can be assured that He will use us in ways we may never see.

photo of Corrie Ten Boom from photosforsouls.com, Trust graphic from laowaiblog


Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. Debra likes to write, weed and wander and is blessed to have the best family and friends in the world. She has decided she needs to live closer to her grandchildren. She’s thankful each day that God is in control, that He chooses to bless us despite ourselves and that He has a sense of humor. Her work has finaled in the TARA, Great Expectations, Heart of the Rockies, Maggie, Rattler and most recently, the Daphne DuMaurier. Not too bad considering she’s trying a mashup of gospel and . . .  gothic.


 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

14 comments:

  1. Thanks, Deb. I think I need to ponder that word for a while. Although I did find one word that encapsulates my writing goal for this year. Entre-author.

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  2. I love those Corrie Ten-Boom quotes, Deb. Trust is a very good word.

    I have to pray and ponder what my word will be. I know this is terrible, but I don't remember my word from last year. It got lost somewhere in all the schoolwork.

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  3. I keep thinking of that song Trust and Obey. It's a very simple song, in both lyrics and melody. Trust and Obey, For there's no better way.

    I love your enthusiasm for new projects this year and can't wait to see what happens. Thanks Dina.

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  4. Sorry, Dina. I just noticed I stole "ponder" from you. It must have stuck in my brain after I read your comment.

    And I'm intrigued by "entre-author". What does that mean? Come in, author?

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  5. Suzie your word was probably two:
    FORGE ON.
    You had quite the year and we're glad that one is over with! Now, I expect lots of writing out of you, girlfriend!

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  6. It's actually one of those annoying little industry catch phrases. It's a combination of entrepreneur and author. Means your serious about writing as a business opportunity. Works for my goals this year, though.

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  7. I don't have a one-word. I want a one-word. Everybody has a one-word but me. It's no fair. (Perhaps instead of a word I should get a smack in the head?)

    I wonder if any of you have, like me, an easier time trusting God's plan if you're doing something. I.e. I feel better if I'm involved in the work. I tend to have a harder time trusting, if I also have to be still and wait. Is it really trust if a part of me thinks that it's up to me? Hm. Points to ponder. (There's that word again!)

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  8. Great post, Deb. And I love the Corrie Ten Boom quotes. I constantly struggle with trusting God. I know there's no other way. But I make myself sick stewing, anyway.

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  9. Thanks ladies. I think I need to re-read more about her life. She was such an amazing woman.

    Lisa, your one-word may just be PONDER.

    Susie, I think it's so easy to not trust fully. We trust, just not as much as we should but we also have to face that it's 'normal'.

    You know what? Admitting that it's difficult is really helpful. I'd sure hate for anyone to think it's easy.

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  10. Great post, Deb, and I also love the Corrie quotes. One of my favorite people.

    I was just thinking I didn't have a one word, that I seem to be going in too many directions and spinning my wheels. And then it came to me.

    Focus. Not only focus on one thing at a time and carry it to completion, but focus on what's important--and especially on the Lord.

    Did I do that right?

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  11. I don't know if I have a one word.

    "Relax" maybe.

    "You can't fix everything" is good, but not one word. ;)

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  12. Great post, Deb. My one word is, ORGANIZE. I need to do a lot of this in many areas.

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  13. Deb, I've prayed about this and have been thinking on this all day. (Notice I didn't say "ponder".) I think I might have my word.

    Aware.

    I can't really explain it right now because I'm so sleepy, but I think it really sums up how I want to live my life this year.

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  14. Ahah! The one-words have come to mind. It's funny how, when we slow down and think about it, they sometimes seem obvious.
    And I like the one-word in place of a new year's resolution.

    I appreciate all your thoughts on the post! I'm sorry I wasn't online much yesterday.

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