Some of you have may heard that I’ve been celebrating a
personal victory this past week. After four years of writing and pursuing
publication I’m getting my moment in the sun. I’ve signed a publishing
agreement with WildBlue Press and will be releasing my first of three books
this fall! A romantic mystery about grace and second chances called Beauty for Ashes.
After a long road of building friendships, refining my
craft, dodging countless rejections, and growing in my passion for story here
is it! The CALL. I should be on top of the world, right?
Well, of course I was/am thrilled to be realizing my dream
but how many of you know that the world doesn’t exactly freeze in that moment.
And that glow you are basking in can dim pretty quickly when say, the sewer
drain backs up in your basement, the air conditioner peters out on the hottest
day of the year, and the service light illuminates from your dashboard all in
the same day… the day after you announced that long awaited triumph. Pfft! The
NERVE! Those everyday disasters have absolutely no respect for your big moment!
And it sure doesn’t take long for the crap (sometimes literally) to start
piling up and little by little, robbing you of your joy.
But the thing I’ve come to realize as a mother constantly
navigating the minefield of life is this…
JOY is NOT
CIRCUMSTANTIAL.
Do you remember that little jingle we all sang in Sunday
School? “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy,
down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart! I’ve got
the…”
We might not have realized it then but that song was
preparing us for the truth about joy. Where it’s found. And where it isn’t. Joy
isn’t found on our sleeves. Not in that gorgeous new outfit that makes you feel
like a million bucks. It’s not found skin deep either. It can’t be nicked away
by everyday wear and tear. Bills and stress and the daily grind. (Though that
can certainly make us weary.) It’s not even bone deep, only broken under the
right angle and pressure. The pain that lances here often lingering and debilitating.
It’s deeper, protected by muscle and tissue, skin and bone,
the cage of your ribs like a vault safeguarding your heart. And even there, at
the source, it’s nested deep down.
Right there where
your Savior resides.
Am I excited that God is going to use my words and give them
a stage? Absolutely! Is my joy contingent upon it? Is it contingent upon my
success? Not a chance. Because lasting joy is only found in communion with the
Giver of your dreams. Not because of what he can do for you, but because of who he is.
“Delight yourself in
the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
Everything else, friends, is just frosting. Now, since I
have a notorious sweet tooth, sit down and have some cake with me. Tell me,
what are you celebrating in your life?
Happy Friday!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Amy Leigh Simpson is the completely exhausted stay-at-home mama to the two wild-child, tow-headed toddler boys, one pretty little princess baby, and the incredibly blessed wife of her hunky hubby.
She writes Romantic Suspense chalked full of grace that is equally inspiring, nail-biting, and hilarious. And a little saucy! Okay fine, a lot saucy. :) She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and now uses her Sports Medicine degree to patch up daily boo-boos. Her greatest ambitions are to create stories that inspire hope, raise up her children to be mighty warriors for Christ, invent an all-dessert diet that works, and make up for years of sleep deprivation.
She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary, Inc.
9 comments:
Congratulations, Amy! Your words are beautiful and they bring John 16:33 to mind. I look forward to reading Beauty for Ashes.
This past Tuesday, I submitted my first manuscript to Harlequin LI. I can't put into words the feeling I had when I hit submit. Afterward, I wandered around the house in a daze. :)
Thanks Jill!! Oh, I know that feeling well! Simultaneously excited and terrified! There's so much self doubt in this biz. Praying it lands where God intends :)
Awesome post, Amy, and CONGRATULATIONS! I look forward to reading your book. I LOVE your thoughts and couldn't agree more. Thank God for another day to find joy and satisfaction in the knowledge of His love. :)
I can't WAIT to read your book, Ames! I already know I'm going to love it. :) :) :)
Congratulations!! Awesome!
Rachel
Kathy, thanks so much! I'm more thankful than ever before for new mercies. And I so appreciate your support. :)
Thanks Case and Rach! Xoxo!
Many congratulations! How exciting. And I have two energetic boys and write, so I can definitely relate. It's always good to remember a more lasting source of joy in bumpy times. Hope you enjoy the whirlwind of excitement and best wishes in your writing!
Congratulations! That's a super achievement and with toddlers in tow - WOWSER - what an accomplishment - you go girl.
Your post is fantabulous as well - JOY is MORE than a name as I can attest!
Much love and my prayers for your blessings to grow and multiply with this spark of a start.
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