tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post3956163925097851939..comments2023-10-23T12:40:22.672-07:00Comments on The Writers Alley: A detour in the roadSherrinda Ketchersidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-22831995129412697232014-03-17T16:57:47.492-07:002014-03-17T16:57:47.492-07:00We've been in a similar place--only I don'...We've been in a similar place--only I don't have the small children. Thank you for being real. It's funny. I never doubted you will come back to write a masterpiece some day. I'm so happy you see it too, and in the meantime you are blessing us with your many other talents! I'm finally back writing on a regular basis. When the time is right I know you will too! Love you, sweet friend!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14464975484045852734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-47660250674576246302014-03-15T05:56:57.145-07:002014-03-15T05:56:57.145-07:00I found this blog through Megan Sayers Blog and it...I found this blog through Megan Sayers Blog and it's just lovely. Thank you so much for your honesty. I've always knows I wanted to write but I feel like I'm a liar or a faker because all I do is "blog" but I think your right, Our journey is long, confusing, and beautiful.Jessie Heningerhttp://jessieheninger.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-71261376463891024032014-03-14T21:33:31.382-07:002014-03-14T21:33:31.382-07:00You're so welcome, friend! I'm glad it spo...You're so welcome, friend! I'm glad it spoke to you! xo<br />Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-58682726800757374182014-03-14T13:47:56.041-07:002014-03-14T13:47:56.041-07:00Karen this was nothing less than a HUGE hug from G...Karen this was nothing less than a HUGE hug from God. I knew it, I've walked it, but to know I'm not alone is priceless. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! for your honesty here. Megan Sayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15410068162701570057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-36978869287389124312014-03-12T14:16:17.201-07:002014-03-12T14:16:17.201-07:00JEANNE, I just love your beautiful heart. I can re...JEANNE, I just love your beautiful heart. I can relate to your fertility struggle - although for us it was a relatively short season, it was still one of the most difficult things I've ever been through. Waiting in any area of life is so very hard, especially when the wait stretches longer than we ever could have foreseen. But that ache for children - nothing else even comes close.<br /><br />But like you say, there is joy in the detours! So much joy, if only we can bring ourselves to take joy in the present instead of wishing away our lives to get to some future point. Life is such a gift - all of it, even the detours. We just need to trust the gift-giver. Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-48125171040238087042014-03-12T14:04:28.456-07:002014-03-12T14:04:28.456-07:00SUE, thank you so much for sharing that wonderful ...SUE, thank you so much for sharing that wonderful testimony! So, so happy for you that you're seeing your dream realised. It's such an encouragement to all of us to stay the course, no matter how long it takes or how difficult it may be. What a blessing to have your debut novel releasing after 13 years. You're living the dream! God is so good. Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-68786032084869631172014-03-12T13:54:59.670-07:002014-03-12T13:54:59.670-07:00Oh, SALLY - thank you so much for sharing this! It...Oh, SALLY - thank you so much for sharing this! It's such an encouragement to me to hear your story. Your whole last paragraph is just gold. "But life is about living now, where we are and with those around us. And living that life prepares us so much more to write from real depth and experience. None of the time away from writing is wasted. None of it." So much truth and wisdom in those words! I needed to read that! I'm so glad you've reached a season where you're able to write again. The world needs to read your words!Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-84332703282425520672014-03-12T13:45:13.025-07:002014-03-12T13:45:13.025-07:00JULIA, my sweet friend. So glad this spoke to you....JULIA, my sweet friend. So glad this spoke to you. What you are doing in homeschooling your kids is an amazing thing. And yes, there are such sacrifices involved. It's a very loving, selfless act. The juggle in motherhood I think comes in putting your kids first without losing your sense of self altogether, which doesn't benefit either you or them.<br /><br />And yes, this was a hard post to write. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea, for so many reasons. I'm beginning to see why God prompted me to be so transparent. We're never alone - and sometimes, really opening up about where we're at is the only way to recognise that. Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-33301189500081580142014-03-12T13:28:48.911-07:002014-03-12T13:28:48.911-07:00Amen, MELISSA!! So, so true about finding God'...Amen, MELISSA!! So, so true about finding God's blessings in our place of detour and disappointment. If we could learn to let go of our expectations, our timeline, we would probably see the blessings a lot sooner. I know that's true for me! So glad God spoke to you through those words. Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-5809191297403297902014-03-12T13:23:26.545-07:002014-03-12T13:23:26.545-07:00LAURIE, thank you so much for those sweet words! Y...LAURIE, thank you so much for those sweet words! You're a beautuful encourager! Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-301228629203708512014-03-12T11:01:13.399-07:002014-03-12T11:01:13.399-07:00Karen, what a beautiful post. I've definitely ...Karen, what a beautiful post. I've definitely hit some roadblocks in writing. I can totally resonate with you hearing God's promise to write and then trying to make His promise come true on your terms, in your timing.<br /><br />I did that in my hopes and pursuit of motherhood. Years of infertility left me discouraged and despairing at times. When He spoke words to my heart that rocked me, I absorbed them but still questioned. My hubby confirmed those words, and God even spoke them again. THEN I could believe. It was still a couple years before He gave us our first son. His timing is always perfect.<br /><br />As you seek to be "in the moment" with your children and your mommy blog, God will honor that. He gives joy even in the detours. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your story. They truly encouraged and blessed me.Jeanne Takenakahttp://jeannetakenaka.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-84366862501395832712014-03-12T10:57:17.692-07:002014-03-12T10:57:17.692-07:00Thanks for sharing such a personal post, Karen. I ...Thanks for sharing such a personal post, Karen. I know it will touch the hearts of many people.<br /><br />I've been writing for about 13 years now and certainly had times when I felt frustration and wanted to quit. But once I became clear that my writing wasn't about winning contests, and getting published for the fame/money, etc., I settled down and did my best to learn the craft as best I could.<br /><br />I knew in my heart (like you) that God meant for me to be published one day - it wasn't for me to decide the day. So I kept on writing in a much happier state, certain that God's perfect timing would arrive. <br /><br />And now my debut novel "Betrayed Hearts" is coming out in AUGUST!! <br /><br />So never fear. The universe will unfold as it should. In the meantime, enjoy your new endeavors and think of all the friends and contacts you're making!<br /><br />I have no doubt that all the Alley cats and the people who follow you will one day find their way to seeing their dreams fulfilled.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />SueSusan Anne Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17258093329143787876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-28319754094965283962014-03-12T09:03:40.542-07:002014-03-12T09:03:40.542-07:00Karen, I've been there. :) In fact, I'd ju...Karen, I've been there. :) In fact, I'd just returned to writing when we finaled in the Genesis together. So I know what you mean--about all of that!<br /><br />We had just moved and I felt like God wanted me to set my writing aside for a while and concentrate on family (and a part-time job--sob!) while my husband started in his new job as a head pastor. I told him I thought I should quit writing for a while, and he said, "Thank goodness." That hurt.<br /><br />I took a four-year writing break, and by the time I felt the desire to write return, Steve wanted me to write too. And the time away from my own work (I did freelance editing) had grown me as a person and as a writer.<br /><br />It's so hard to set those dreams aside, especially when they're your oldest, deepest dreams. But life is about living now, where we are and with those around us. And living that life prepares us so much more to write from real depth and experience. None of the time away from writing is wasted. None of it.Sally Bradleyhttp://www.sallybradley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-73004816363132827622014-03-12T07:32:53.779-07:002014-03-12T07:32:53.779-07:00Karen, Wow, this spoke to me so much in where I...Karen, Wow, this spoke to me so much in where I'm at. You know most of the time I feel like I'm OK with it but other times I think boy, if I put my kids on the bus (because that's what I feel like is my hardest calling right now--the homeschooling) I would have a clean house instead of a disaster zone, fancier meals, and a couple of hours for writing. <br /><br />I needed this reminder. In fact, I had tears and I know I will read this again. Thank you for being obedient to write a post that I'm guessing wasn't an easy write.Julia M. Reffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11979214959063965164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-39319721230060620732014-03-12T06:34:20.654-07:002014-03-12T06:34:20.654-07:00Karen, this post is wonderful...I just loved the w...Karen, this post is wonderful...I just loved the whole thing and then I got to that last line and read it like six times in a row...<br /><br />"No matter which direction you seem to be walking, if the peace of God is your compass, then every step you take in faith is one step closer to your dream."<br /><br />That one line hit me so much, applicable in a couple huge areas of my life at the moment. Thank you for that! And again, I love the whole post...I think sometimes those detours that feel so confusing in the moment can be some of the hugest blessings when we look back!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620457068731162013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-60569998004277564522014-03-12T06:31:54.343-07:002014-03-12T06:31:54.343-07:00Love this post! You're such a wonderful writer...Love this post! You're such a wonderful writer I know God will bless your obedience. And you are doing such beautiful work as a mother!Laurie Tomlinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11129712423197020619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-32723234143886657452014-03-12T06:09:53.830-07:002014-03-12T06:09:53.830-07:00YES, Pepper - so true!! I've given myself so m...YES, Pepper - so true!! I've given myself so much needless anguish and inner turmoil over the past couple of years as I struggled to accept that it was okay to embrace a different season. It's always been okay with God! He's the sender of the seasons, and each one is beautiful in its own way. <br /><br />I love your encouragement that "the road is never different than HE planned for us!" Such a powerful truth that really resonates with my heart! Love you, girl!Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-22000020703202775742014-03-12T05:47:07.790-07:002014-03-12T05:47:07.790-07:00Karen,
This is perfect! Oh my goodness, how many t...Karen,<br />This is perfect! Oh my goodness, how many times to people need to hear God's voice is still the same, His plan is still the same, but the road may look different than WE planned. You're SO right! It's never different than HE planned for us!<br /><br />I keep telling myself this motto:<br />God's calling, God's timing, my perseverance.<br />It's an acceptance of His work instead of my 'make it happen' pressure. He's never called us to that, has he?<br />What sweet encouraging words you have here! It reminds me of the verse Matthew 11:29-30, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me. For I am gentle of heart and you will find REST for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is LIGHT"<br />We're the ones who make it heavy with our worry. I know that's true for me.<br /><br />Wow, beautiful!Pepperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02771295798003844102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-56432791375173644322014-03-12T05:38:17.224-07:002014-03-12T05:38:17.224-07:00Charity, I'm so glad you can identify with thi...Charity, I'm so glad you can identify with this. Yes, God gives us different dreams at different stages in our life, and sometimes one dream has to take priority over another for a time. Be encouraged - the study you're doing right now is so worthwhile, and that dream of writing will still be there waiting to burst into bud when the time is right again. Bless you!Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-47885924668443641522014-03-12T05:18:03.954-07:002014-03-12T05:18:03.954-07:00Thank you for sharing this! I totally needed it. I...Thank you for sharing this! I totally needed it. I would definitely call myself a writer. I crave to write, it's a part of me, yet in this season of life I just can't. Because I also have the dream to become a nurse. It has been a challenge for me to walk into my room after a long day of work and want to write in my novel, but I know I must choose to study for an Anatomy test that is only days away. Everyday is a challenge. Sometimes I get so frustrated knowing I feel the need to write, but I just don't have time with college. Yet, however tough it gets, I know that someday I will be writing again, I just have to wait for that season of life to return to me. No matter how hard it gets, I trust God because I know He has a plan. <br /><br />Thanks for a great post!<br /><br />~CharityAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com