I’ll admit it. I was worried.
A little more than a year ago, I received an invitation to write a column twice each week for Guideposts. Now don’t get me wrong. I was excited about the opportunity. Guideposts had been part of my life since I was a little girl, and I was honored that they’d asked me to become part of their blog team. I’m a lover of story, and nobody does inspirational stories better than Guideposts.
I remember the conversation I had with my husband when the contract arrived. “I’d love to write for Guideposts, but with two posts each week, I’d have to write 104 stories in a year’s time. What if I can’t think of that many good stories?”
I write for several national magazines and websites, am working on some book projects and also have my Just 18 Summers parenting blog which has fresh posts each Monday-Friday. Add in 104 stories each year for Guideposts, and that’s a lot of content to come up with. So Paul and I prayed together, asking God to give me guidance as to whether or not to sign the contract.
And then a few days later, a sweet peace flooded my heart as God whispered, “I don’t call you to a task without equipping you with what you need for the journey.” And you know what, sweet friends? October is the anniversary of when I started my “Life with a Southern Grandmother” column on here.
It makes me cry today as I tell you that for the last 52 weeks, God has provided all 104 of those stories for me, just as I needed them—and it’s been my absolute joy to hang out with all of you for the past year.
Throughout my life, God has had a perfect track record of supplying what I need, so you’d think I’d have learned that lesson. Well, duh. Obviously, I’m a slow learner, because I needed that reminder again several weeks ago.
My co-author, John Perrodin, and I have been working on two books with deadlines of only six weeks to write each book. When we received the contract, that old stupid worry came flooding back as I realized we’d have to come up with 60 awesome stories in just a matter of weeks.
I sent up a panicked prayer, “God, we’re going to need 60 fantastic stories, and we’re going to need them at warp speed.” And, yes, I might have wrung my hands a time or two.
Once again, that sweet whisper came from Him, “You haven’t needed the stories yet. I’ll send them as you need them.” And that’s exactly what happened. As we’d finish one chapter, the idea for the next one would arrive. The first book has come together in just a few weeks, and I’m in awe of the stories He’s sent us.
I’m so grateful for a God who provides what we need, exactly when we need it. And I thank Him so much for the oh-so-special privilege of writing for Him.
But my God shall supply all your need . . . (Philippians 4:19)
