Here's the thing about me....I like to plan. I'm a planner and a processor, so I like to know where I am going and it takes me some time to think about what happens after the fact. I suppose those things make me the teacher and writer that I am. I don't do "spur of the moment" things well. For example, I had two months to plan when I met the guys in RED. I agonized over what I would wear, what I might say, etc. I knew it was coming so I was comfortable with that. It was something on my bucket list- so I had plenty of time to think about that.
Yesterday, I came home from school and got on Facebook and noticed that Liz Curtis Higgs (Christian Historical Fiction Writer) was going to give a free presentation at a library 20 miles from me in less than three hours. She has been one of my favorite authors for many years, ever since I picked up the book "Thorn in my Heart" which is the story of Jacob, Rachael and Leah from the Bible- but set in 18th Century Scotland. She was talking about writing, especially those who are writing their first book.
The moment I read the post, I knew I had to go. Yes, I had other commitments last night- and I prayed they would understand, but I had to get to that library! You see, five years ago I made a "Possibilities" notebook where I put people I wanted to meet, places I wanted to go, and things I wanted to do. I hadn't looked at it in years, but I know Liz's picture was on a page in between George Lucas (creator of Star Wars) and Emeril.
Here I was, with another opportunity to do something on my bucket list- but I had no time to plan! How would I handle it? I started by taking a few deep breaths and tried to pick out something to wear. I didn't have much time to agonize over it so I chose a royal purple shirt that I feel good in. I quickly got ready and two hours after I read the post- I was in the van driving to Jeffersonville. 40 minutes later, I was in a conference room in the library wondering how in the world I ended up there!
When Liz came into the room, the first thing I noticed was that she had an outfit on that was the same color as my shirt! It was a quiet confirmation that I was supposed to be there. Liz is a great speaker and had many good tips for aspiring writers. One thing she talked about was that if you want to get published....you need to have you back end in a chair! She basically said the same thing that Stephen King is quoted for-but she said it a little nicer!
Most of what she said, I already knew. It was again, confirmation for me. At the break, I took my book for her to sign and a picture of Ian. I had emailed Liz years ago when Ian was a baby to let her know that one of the reasons I named my son Ian, was because of the baby Ian in her book. As she was signing the book, I got up my courage and told her about the emails, and gave her Ian's picture. She said some nice things, and then I blurted out that meeting her was something I had in my Book of Possibilities and that I had it with me. She stopped for a moment and said she wanted to see it after the presentation if I didn't mind sharing it. I was stunned. I went back to my seat and she finished her presentation.
Before I left, I stopped by the table where she was signing books and showed her my Possibilities book. She looked at her picture and then at George Lucas and Emeril and asked, "So how are you doing on the other two?" We laughed and then she began to turn the pages of the book. On the next page I have some pictures of the two places I have always wanted to go....Australia and Scotland. She commented that her daughter is in Australia and that she has been to Scotland 12 times. I talked about wanting to go there some day and she suddenly asks me my name and I see her writing in a book. I said my name- then explained to her that I wasn't buying another book.
Liz looked up at me and said, "I know. I'm giving this to you." It was her non-fiction book on Scotland. Tears flooded my eyes as I told her that my husband was out of a job and other things I cannot even remember now. (Hopefully nothing too embarrassing !) As I swiped the tears from my eyes I realized that I was in the middle of a God moment. That God had somehow honored the fact that I did this spontaneous thing and trusted Him....so He was giving me the chance of a lifetime to talk to this wonderful lady.
I had my picture taken with her and we both commented on the color of our outfits! As I got into my van, I had to take a moment and try and process.....and did that all the way home. When I came through my front door, I looked for my husband and when I found him I launched myself into his arms and bawled like a baby!
This week I had been thinking about Joseph from the Bible and how God orchestrated his life so that he could be at the right time and place to save his family. I told the kids in chapel at my school that God had a bigger dream for Joseph than he had for himself. I discovered yesterday that God feels the same way about me. That His dreams for me are far larger than I ever imagined.
Something I realized while I was crying in my husband's arms was that both meeting RED and Liz was that they have happened less than two months of each other and both while Rich has been unemployed. I still don't know why all of this is happening the way it is...but I do know there is a reason for it all. And for right now.....that is enough.
What about you? Do you have a list of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket?" or a Book of Possibilities? If not, I encourage you to start one today. You never know what things to cross off your list if you don't have them! Dream big!
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