In a clamorous house on the picturesque southern coast of England, a young girl twirled a long strand of hair in her fingers as her eyes darted across the page. Immersed in the book she was reading, she was oblivious to the chaos and family drama that ensued—she was a bonafide bookworm. Absorbed in adventures. Captivated by characters. Fascinated by fiction. Yes, I had a writing dream…
Maybe you had a childhood dream? Mine was to be an author one day. To be the one writing the books. But I was a sensible, responsible eldest child and knew the reality of becoming an author was comparable to becoming an astronaut. I had as much chance of landing on the moon as writing an actual book. And so I shelved my dream, telling no one. Not a single soul. I kept it a secret.
For twenty-five years.
For twenty-five years, I continued on with life—my secret dream buried so deeply I scarcely gave it a second thought. I married my high school sweetheart, dabbled in banking, emigrated from the UK to Canada, raised three children, and homeschooled for thirteen years.
It was during the latter period of time as I pored through books with my children and had the privilege of teaching them how to read, that my writing dream began percolating once again. Perhaps seeing their love of reading reminded me of my own passion at their age.
Perhaps it was God gently prodding, preparing, prompting.
I believe He was busy cultivating my dream, even though I was utterly unaware. He was revealing to me fascinating people and places as we transplanted our lives across the globe. He was shaping my thoughts and my heart as I navigated marriage and motherhood. He strengthened me in times of grief and pain and showered me with the fullest joy. He grew me and nurtured me for what was to come.
And then, one night on a much-coveted date at a coffee shop, my husband began digging into that cultivated soil. He unearthed my desire to write and promptly became my number one cheerleader and supporter. And God—He gave me the courage and wisdom to take my writing journey one shaky step at a time, for He had already been busy for years preparing me, cultivating me so I could follow my dream.
For the record—it didn’t come fast and it certainly was not easy. As is the case for us all, God has not finished cultivating my life and I still have much growth ahead. I have learned humility and patience and perseverance along the way, and will never stop needing His grace in every area of my life.
But after countless rejections, jubilations, and the steepest learning curve imaginable, I now have articles, stories, devotionals, and eight traditionally published books under my belt.
All this to say—God hears, sees, and knows us so very well. And I assure you, His timing is always perfect.
My dream to be an author took decades to incubate and take root. I needed a whole wealth of life experience before I could possibly hope to begin sharing via the written word.
Honestly, there were seasons where I floundered and questioned my purpose in the great scheme of things. Did God really have a plan for me? Maybe you can relate. But I know this to be true:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
I have carried these well-known and well-loved verses from Proverbs around with me since the age of eleven. I’ve vacillated and tried my own way on times but ultimately, I have complete confidence that God knows best. There is tremendous comfort in knowing He sees the whole picture and leads us from His vantage point. He longs for us to trust Him with our dreams as well as our dilemmas and decisions.
He redeems and restores and revives.
Do you have a dream, friend? I’d love to know in the comments below! Is it currently on your radar, or has it been buried under responsibilities and reality? Perhaps you don’t know what it even looks like but you do know that God has been preparing you for something.
The truth is, God is busy cultivating your dream even as you are busy doing life…
Cheering you on,
P.S. In a time when connection is everything, have you signed up for my monthly newsletter? Giveaway, book reviews, recipe, and soul encouragement every single time. Sign up and join us HERE! You’ll get a free fiction book review file, too! 🙂
Also linking up with some fabulous encouragers:
I love hearing about your dream, Laura. Looking at you now as a successful writer, who knew that your dream lay dormant for all those years — but God! You give me hope for my own dream to bear fruit.
Wishing you blessings in abundance!
Thank you so much, Marva—you are such a beautiful encourager! God is good, indeed—I’m looking forward to watching your dream, too. 🤗 Blessings to you!
I love this line: God is busy cultivating your dream as you are busy doing life. Yes he is. If I don’t know anything else, I know God is preparing me for something even though I don’t know what that something is. I smiled from ear to ear when you shared about your husband being your biggest cheerleader and supporter. That’s great! Congratulations on seeing your writing dream actualized.
Hi there, Yvonne— thanks so much for your kind words. 🤗 Don’t you just love that God is always working, even if we don’t know the details? And I’m truly grateful for my husband… he is quite possibly the most patient man alive! Blessings to you.
This is such a beautiful encouragement, Laura.
Thank you so much, Heather! 🤗 I’m glad you enjoyed it and that it was an encouragement to you. Blessings, friend!
Very encouraging to me, Laura. I feel that vertical learning curve!
Thanks so much, Michele— it can certainly be a steep one! 🤗 Glad you were encouraged. Blessings to you!
I feel very similarly. I did all kinds of things to prepare to be a writer, but I never even acknowledged, even to myself, that it’s what I was preparing for. I was 40 before I decided to claim my calling and go for it! 🤗
Hi Kimberly, sounds like we have similar stories. The poster children for “it’s never too late…”! 😜 Thanks for stopping by to share!
Thanks for this encouragement. In January and February it seemed like one of my dreams was coming true. I stepped into something new and saw God work in amazing ways. Then Covid hit and over the past six months everything that looked so promising has crumbled. Yet I can’t let go of what I saw God do. His ways and his timing are definitely not ours, but I love this reminder that “he redeems and restores and revives.”
Hi Lesley, thanks so much for stopping by. I’m sorry it’s been a frustrating year— I totally hear you on that! But yes, we cling to the truth that none of this takes God by surprise… I’m cheering you on as you wait for His timing! 🤗 Blessings to you!
Hi friend! Love your dream story. God knows that you have just begun. Just spoke with Bob Goff yesterday. So incredibly encouraging. Be sure to listen the 27th. You’ve encouraged me as well. Xx
Thanks so much, Sue— I love how we can encourage one another! And wow, I’ll certainly make a note to listen in. 🤗 Blessings to you, friend!
Hi Laura, our stories have a similar ring to them. After decades of scribbling ideas and thoughts on tattered grocery store receipts, I finally declared myself a writer.
Of course, going public was the scary part of the journey.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Denise, thanks so much for sharing! I love that nothing is wasted… all those years gleaning life experience and observing our surroundings. God can use it all! Blessings to you and happy writing. 🤗
Laura, thanks so much for sharing in this space! We have similar stories. I’m still chasing down this writing dream – in some ways I’m living it out through the blog and the freelance articles, but this desire to land a book deal simmers in the deepest part of me, hardly asleep and goading me forward with the passing days. Your words today brought hope and inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing. Pressing on . . .
Hi Stacey— thanks so much for your sweet encouragement! Sharing our stories can be so powerful and I’m cheering you on in yours. 🤗 Keep writing, friend, we learn so much in the journey! Blessings to you.
Thank you for this encouragement. Writing has long been a dream of mine as well—ever since I discovered Nancy Drew when I was 9 years old. I dabbled way back then at writing my own mystery series. That dabbling didn’t last long, and I put the dream away for many a year. Then in my late 20’s, I wrote a 783-page Civil War-era romantic novel. I was never able to get it published (dozens of rejections), and now that story is inaccessible to me (floppy disk), and I’m okay with that, as I feel non-fiction writing is what the Lord has put on my heart. SO…I’m trying this avenue, by way of a blog. Getting readers is slow going, but I am going to persevere…and I am going to check out Hope Writers. Thank you for the heads-up!!
Love,
Patti @ Clothed with Joy
Hi Patti, thanks so much for sharing your writing journey here! I can’t imagine losing an entire novel manuscript but it’s wonderful that you now feel drawn to non-fiction writing. (Take it from me, you can also do both! 😉) It all takes hard work and perseverance but I’m so proud that you are pressing on. Definitely check out hope*writers for all the encouragement and teaching you need to help you on your way. Blessings to you!
Hi Laura, I knew since high school that God had placed on my heart a passion to help young people. God’s calling on my life took me on a path of becoming a social worker and an adoptive parent. Now that I have retired I wonder what God has in store for me next. As you are aware my journey with my adoptive daughters continues and while this year with them has been filled with turmoil I can’t help but wonder how God will use this time. What satan meant for evil against my children God will use for good. Who knows, maybe a book is percolating somewhere inside me. I have dreamed of writing something that would bring hope and encouragement to other adoptive parents. Thanks for sharing your story and delicious recipes. You are an inspiration to so many. Hugs to you my friend.
Hi Dawn— thank you so much for your encouragement! You have the biggest heart and your girls are so blessed to call you Mom… you are on quite the journey but know that God walks with you through it all and nothing is wasted. 🤗 Blessings to you, dear friend!