Writing… isn’t about getting it published; it’s about you and what God wants to do with you in your life.
Janice Elseheimer

I have always wanted to write a book, to see it on the shelf, to see it in the hands of someone who loves it, who is captivated by it, who is changed by it, as I have been with the great books in my life.

Remember that as a creative person, the important thing is to create.  Who sees what you make, where it goes and what it does is a secondary consideration; the first is to exercise the talent God has given you.
Franky Schemer

So rather than worry about who sees what I write, where it goes and what it does, I will instead create, using the talent God has given me, and allow Him to do with me what He desires to do.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Yes I worry that it will all come to nothing.  But I know anything the Lord calls me to is for my good and His glory.   I read what I have written in the past, about experiences and events, and I know I have been changed because I have worked through them in writing.  And I have had the joy of others acknowledging and even being touched by what I have written.

You will never find time for anything.  If you want time, you must make it.
Charles Sixteen

Ah yes, so many years that I did not make time.  From raising a family, to a naval career, to church activities, to hobbies and interests, and to (especially to) distracting chores and tasks, they all demanded my time.   I think, however, that beneath the veneer of “not having the time” was a fear to begin and a fear to fail, so I failed to ever begin.  Until now.

Janice’s Time Management Resolutions:

• I will set aside a specific time for my art every day
• I will remind myself that productive artists have schedules and adhere to them
• I will “go to the studio and make stuff” even when I am dry, frustrated and clueless as to what to do or where to begin.
• I will not feel guilty about taking time to replenish my sensory reservoir.  I will consciously practice breathing in God’s inspiration and breathing out the expression of the artistic abilities He has given me.

Whew.  Now that I have a “studio” and more time than I have ever had before, I have to remember not to feel guilty or embarrassed about the time I take to replenish, to breath in and breathe out, to write.

Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Carl Sandburg

Oh so true.  My naval career definitely used up much of my “time coin,” however I am thankful that it has brought my husband and me to the place we are today.  I do wonder, though, what might have been and what would be…
But the coin has been spent and I cannot spend what I no longer have, only what is in my account today.

What must I say no to, in order to spend time writing?

• I have discovered an interest in gardening.  Thankfully we purchased a home with a small yard, so I am limited to how much I can commit to.  We have planted a raised bed vegetable garden as well as an herb garden, along with various flowerbeds.  It is fun seeing things grow and enjoying the fruits of labor.  But it can consume much of my time, if I allow it.
• I have also discovered an interest in painting.  Combining both my inspiration with Texas Wildflowers and recycling glass, I have been “playing around with” painting flowers on glass.  It is quite fun and turns out surprisingly well.  It could go somewhere… (even if only gifts for friends and family).  But it can consume much of my time, if I allow it.
• For twenty-four years, I was blessed with a husband who enjoyed cooking and, since we both worked, he shouldered most of the cooking duties in our home.  While he still enjoys cooking, he is now a full time student and I am not.  So I have taken over most of the cooking duties.  Not one to do anything halfway, I dove into cookbooks and websites, experimenting with healthy and clean (less processed, more “natural” ingredients) recipes.  I enjoy the challenge and the fact that we eat more vegetables than ever before.  But it can consume much of my time, if I allow it.
• I love the fact that now I have more time to participate in Bible study and prayer groups with other women.   I look forward to opportunities to disciple and mentor young women and provide encouragement and help to others in ministry activities in our church.  I know that God has called us all to be ministers and to take an active role in building the body of Christ.  And while it is all “good,” it can consume much of my time, if I allow it.

So there it is.

Every day I must set aside time to write, if I am to take this seriously.
Every day?  It seems like a lot.  And it may not always be practical.  But I must show up regularly, exercise the talent God has given me, and see what He wants to do with me.