Prophecies and Prayers

First things first, yes, I know that I'm publishing this on Saturday instead of Friday. It's just been that kind of week.

There comes a point in the school year when both the teachers and the students are just tired of school; we have hit that point. In short, I'm very excited to come home at the end of the day. Friday night I came home, took a nap, and woke up rather late. So I decided to post today.

But on to business.

On Sunday morning, I went to church and heard a great sermon. The pastor was really hitting it hard and giving some great points to consider. But one thing in particular stood out to me. Many times during a sermon, the pastor will say some general statements to get their point across. You'll buy that house you wanted, you'll get out of debt, etc. But in the midst of these statements, he said this:

"Your book will get published this year."

Now you all know by now that my dream is to be a published author; that's what it has been since I wrote my first (crappy) story at 11 years old. When I heard him say this I thought to myself, "wow. Is this what confirmation feels like?"

I set myself a goal to get published this year. I don't have grad school to take up my time; all that I really do is work. So I said that this would be the year that my book gets published.

One day during Christmas break, I was suddenly inspired to look at my old blog posts, which is why I'm here now. Pretty sure that one was God.

Instead of setting a New Year's resolution, I set myself a few goals. A few days later while talking to a coworker of mine, she also mentioned that she sets herself goals every year. God again.

Now that my goal is set, I hear the pastor deliver this word. If ever I was in doubt about my dream, I think God has handled that.

I was having a conversation with one of my best friends, whose dream it is to become an actor. I acted in college as well (that's how we met) and I do really love being on stage. He asked me why I didn't consider making it a profession. After a lot of consideration, I realized it was because I did not have the same drive for acting as he does. My drive is for writing. If I were to be rejected over and over again for roles, I would be very discouraged. But I've submitted stories to magazines for publication, and haven't been chosen once; however, that only pushes me harder to find the right magazine or journal for my work.

And if I needed any more encouragement, I had a conversation just yesterday with one of the substitutes at my school about writing and getting published.

She asked me how long I'd been teaching, and if I might stay in the profession for 25 years. I told her the honest truth: I do love teaching, but my passion is writing. If a book of mine gets published, and I have enough money to pay off my student loans and live, you can bet my full time job will be writing. She was very interested, and said that she wished she could write.

It just goes to show that God will let you know where you're supposed to go. When I was hired for my current teaching position, the first principal that I talked to at the job fair (who called me over to her) hired me. I was easily approved for an apartment. I had a friend willing to help me drive from Mississippi to Maryland.

So I will keep writing, though at times it may be hard, or I may have to overcome writer's block. I'm chasing my dream and praying that the right situation will come around to make it a reality.


“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” 
― Stephen King