Abandonment Issues – Guest post by Lynne Gentry

2012/October by Marji Laine 6 Comments

I’m so pleased to have a wise friend and one of my writing mentors, Lynne Gentry, visit today to share from her heart.
My husband says my lack of attention kills the plants in our yard. Every spring, I set out to prove him wrong. I rake the dried stalks of last year’s withered plants from the flower bed.

I hoe, fertilize, and tuck new seeds into the churned soil. I even say a prayer for good measure. When the watering and waiting finally yield green shoots, I feel vindicated. But as spring melts into scorching summer, I venture into the yard less and less. Next thing I know, the spindly plants are fried. Only weeds survive. Abandoning my garden has killed any hopes of a bountiful harvest.

Does God tend to writing careers with the same derelict care I give my garden? Sometimes the lack of progress sure can make it feel that way.

I know God churned my heart with the desire to become a writer. Only God could have planted the crazy ideas and fragile stories that bounce around my head. God even saw to my writing craft growth by placing me in great crit groups and writing organizations. God deserves the credit for my hope that each new manuscript will be the one that breaks into the marketplace. But as the years wear on, I wonder: where is that contract? Weeds of doubt and discouragement choke my zeal. The heat of fifty rejections fries my dreams.

God must have forgotten me.

I feel abandoned.

Maybe it feels like God has forgotten you. If so, check out this scripture. Tweet This!

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you.” Psalm 9:10

Flowers are stuck. They’re survival hinges upon the frequency of the rains, or a good sprinkler system, or an attentive gardener. Humans, on the other hand, can go directly to the water source…a well of living water that never runs dry.

Right when I thought my career would die of thirst, I sought the Lord. Searched the Word for hours. Spent chunks of time in prayer. Waited. Then last year I learned that He had not forgotten me. In fact, his plan had been for me to have several projects completed so that after I sold the first one I could sell another and another.

God has not abandoned you. It is only after we’ve been thirsty that we can truly appreciate the gift of life-sustaining water. Seek Him. You won’t be alone again.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY:

Lynne Gentry knew marrying a preacher might change her plans. She didn’t know how ministry would change her life. She writes about second chances. Author of REINVENTING LEONA, numerous short stories, and dramatic works, she travels the country as a professional acting coach and inspirational speaker. Spending time with God and family are two of Lynne’s greatest joys.

From Marji:

I’m so thankful that Lynne could visit today! She provided insight and spiritual focus for me at a particularly difficult point in my life. I’m grateful to count her as a friend and mentor and super-blessed to have her as a critique partner. She is amazing! And REINVENTING LEONA made it to my favorite list for 2011. You can order it at the link and see my review HERE!