Immeasurably More

God's been teaching me so much as a new mother lately about life and the way He sees us. Today's post is for all of you (us) who get discouraged and are having trouble keeping our vision, or as the cliche goes, seeing the forest through the trees.

Tonight, my husband and I took our baby to put his feet in the sand at the beach for the first time. On the way, I was talking to him, explaining about sand and water and sunsets. And none of this makes sense to him yet, of course-- he's only three months old. But still, he was just a' smiling at me, trusting me wherever we would go.

And it hit me when I told him how beautiful sunsets are, telling him someday he would understand. This is what the plans of God for us look like.

Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (My emphasis)

Immeasurably more.

What does immeasurably more really look like, especially for the writing life?

Because if we're really being honest, when faced with unknowns, haven't many of us come to expect immeasurably less? Raising my hand over here, because I know I'm guilty of that.

Yet, right before this verse, we see a description of God's love for us-- God, who is described as a Father. "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (My emphasis)

Now, I don't know what you're facing today, or the discouragement you've come up against. I don't even know what your "immeasurably more" might look like. But I know that God is good, and His love is mighty. I know that the dreams He has placed in your heart are there for a reason.

And if you're looking around, feeling stuck, consider this. He may have placed you "in the car," on the way to so much more. So it's okay if you don't see how the pieces fit right now. It's okay if you feel frustrated, and even if you don't understand the promises of God.

Keep keeping on. Because the whole point of our immeasurably more is that it's beyond what we could dream up for ourselves. Just think of a baby's first sunset, and remember you have no way to understand the beauty God has in store for your stories--your characters' story and your own--if you choose to trust Him with your life.

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Ashley Clark writes romance with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.