Today's post comes from Kelly at Chatty Kelly from Virginia. I met Kelly (and Sonya) at the Philadelphia Writers Conference this summer, and they graciously accepted me into their circle of friends.
This isn't a book review. I haven't read the book shown here, Christmas Miracles, by Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson. No, but I was almost published in it. I submitted my story of a Christmas miracle to this book, and received the response that it would be included with the other stories of people who experienced miracles at Christmas.
I was overjoyed! To be published in a REAL book would be so amazing, and something with Cecil Murphey's name attached to it, unbelievable. Soon thereafter I received my contract and signed and returned it, eagerly awaiting the book's publication. But then somethings happened. "We regret to inform you...." Seems the publisher thought the book was too long. Six stories had to be cut. Six. One of them mine.
The disappointment was pretty big. No publication, no name in print. It stung. Time has passed, and my wound has healed, but to see the book in print does recreate the longing. But I made a connection with Cecil Murphey and have had a chance to email with him a few times. He is really nice, and I'm blessed by the connection. I've submitted my story to another venue (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and I can hope it will be accepted there.
So I have a choice. I can decide to be miserable that my story wasn't published, or I be thankful for the connections made and hope for another chance to be published.
What disappointments are facing you this Christmas? What will you decide? To be miserable, or to find something to be thankful for, and to look ahead with hope. If we could all change our thinking to be thankful and hopeful, well wouldn't that be the biggest Christmas miracle of all?
Romans 5:3-5 -- Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Lord, though the world may disappoint us, hope does not. How thankful I am to know that You turn my disappointments into God-appointments - opportunities to develop Christ-likeness that I would not have otherwise.
Susan
4 comments:
Susan, thank you for sharing this post. That must have been awful to have your hopes dashed. I'm hoping for you that wherever your story gets published it will reach exactly the right people who need to read it!
My disapointments at Christmas include that my husband usually getsw layed off, as he did last week. Through the years I struggle and then let go of society expectations of how Christmas should be and focus on the real meaning and find joy in spending time with and doing special things for family instead of buying more stuff.
As far as writing disapointments go, well, it is the passing of another year and sometimes I wish I had done more.
I heard about your blog on Susan R.'s blog. I'm glad I came.
...but for the joy set before Him, He endured...
I'm so proud of you! You have such a great attitude about the book. I am with you on being thankful for the connections made...God has a bigger plan for your writing!
Hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving day!
Hugs!
Susan
I'm so sorry your story was cut. It IS a beautiful book.
Blessings,
Jean
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