Be the Bright Spot

Part 3 of the Contagious Joy Writing Series

 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
   at night I stretched out untiring hands
   and my soul refused to be comforted.

I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
   I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
   Selah

-Psalms 77: 2-3

For the past week, before I pull into my garage I am greeted by this gorgeous site. When the pangs and disappointments of life  dig at your faith God brilliantly delivers a bright spot to keep you vertical.

A week ago I had to ask my editor for an extension, for my writing deadline. Oh, I was sick, we had a family issue, and every roadblock that could come up did. I felt like a heartbroken lover staring over a cliff. Becoming published is a childhood dream and an item on my sweetgrass basket list. I want badly for my story to introduce readers to the God I know. But honey, let me keep it real…I was ready to give up on it and resend the contract. I couldn’t see hope for completing my novel to save my life. Just before I threw up my white flag I remembered that God had given me a few life lines, who’s mission was to see me through this book.

Want to know what they were?

As I’ve said all along, having Contagious Joy has nothing to do with you and your penchant for seeing light at the end of every tunnel. No. Contagious Joy is perpetual. It even goes on while you sleep, while your dreams wait on you to actualized them. Contagious Joy is a gift you can have through Him.

And this gift comes with: perks, lifelines, tokens, angel dust, or goodies, whatever you want to call them. If you’re tapped in you will recognize your lifelines and use them when needed.

I know my daughter, Selah is a lifeline. If you get the chance to meet her, you would understand.

For me when it comes to writing, Rhonda McKnight is one of my main lifelines. This woman pieced my novel together when I lost the entire thing on two computers. She’s talked me out of giving up on good things God wants me to experience as a writer more times than I can count. She even talked me off the cliff a week ago, right around the same time that pretty red bush showed up in my yard.

Point 3: God always confirms Contagious Joy with a bright spot. 

Not a bright side, not an Aha moment, but a bright spot. Something tangible to express to you that He is here and longs to make you happy.

Newsflash: When you live to make God happy Contagious Joy is granted. It doesn’t mean that you will get what you want or that everything you pray about will be an automatic yes. No. Contagious Joy is that peace burning like small embers in your heart that reassures you that everything will be perfect, because He is perfect. That contracts come and go, things are lost and some songs are unsung. But if you have faith the outcome God has planned for your success.

On your writing journey prepare to see the cliff before the pretty. Prepare for it. Most importantly make sure you know who are the Bright Spots and Lifelines in your life. Understand their purpose and treat them as good as you can on days you’re not running back to that stupid cliff. Pray for them, as you know they must be praying for you. lol

Recap:

• Point #1: Contagious Joy doesn’t just happen. You have to spoon that sucker down or have it sprinkled on.
• Point 2: Stop beating yourself up for being you and enjoy yourself, because if you’re not having fun writing your story, we won’t have fun reading it.
• Point 3: God always confirms Contagious Joy with a bright spot. 
• Point #4: My last tip, unless you want more. Come back in two weeks to see.

Dee Stewart is a mom, blogger, write-or-die-chick, editor, literary publicist, journalist, book reviewer and published author. Her short story, "Short Ride to Sanctuary" is featured in Sistahfaith(Simon & Schuster, Feb 2010.) She also writes for Kensington Publishers under the pseudonym Miranda Parker. The first installment of her Evangeline Crawford Bounty Hunter novel,  A Good Excuse to Be Bad releases spring 2011. Connect with me on Facebook Here.Want to know behind the scenes info about my book? Sign up for Miranda Parker’s Stake Out Here. It’s free. It is an exclusive email to the first 100 responders. I will share the drama, my road to publishing, writer’s calls from my publisher and others, answers to your questions on writing, and, of course, more Contagious Joy.

Comments

[Nicole]

Yes. Step away from the cliff.

How often do we think about about falling?

I always say to the Lord at those moments when I'm about to give up on whatever: "Just throw me a bone, Lord."

The ones He throws have juicy, tasty meat on them.

Reap the joy, Girl. God knows you spread enough of it around. ;)

[twitter.com/deegospel]

Thanks, Nicole. I need to make a tee shirt with that as a slogan. lol