This month, my company released a new book (Study Guide on Prayer! Find out more about it here!)
And I hosted my first radio show. (YES! I’m gonna be on the radio at 7PM Central the first Tuesday of every month. Listen here!)
And I’m setting up the final touches on a 10-week teenage Bible study – armor of God with some great hero movies!
And I’m making returns on more gifts than I’d like to admit! (My poor sizing guesses!)
And I’m tying up loose ends from the holidays – sending off prizes to award winners and gifts to folks I didn’t get to see, cleaning up the final touches inside the house.
And … and … and …
I gotta tell you, who has time to make New Year’s resolutions? I have trouble just getting dinner on the table! There are serious times when I’d like to do nothing but put up my feet and watch a football game. Even if the Cowboys aren’t playing! LOL!
Do you every feel like that? Overwhelmed with so many things to do and no prayer of making them all work out the way they are supposed to? That helpless feeling is why I choose a special word every year and keep it at the top of my consciousness every day. I start talking to God about the word and focus that He wants me to have starting in December – about the time I’m ready to pull my hair out! LOL!
By the first of January, or a short time following, He’s shown me where He wants me to put my energy.
Last year, my word was “INTENTIONAL.” I had a good feeling that I would be published traditionally in 2016 and wanted every action I took, especially on social media, to be helpful to my coming book and my writing career. And I was published, just not exactly as I’d expected. And it was all of the other blessings – becoming the head of a publishing company jumps to mind – that steered me toward my word for this year.
FOLLOW.
Road
Things look great right now – magical – unbelievable. But my position is still a job, still full of responsibilities. And though the Lord has blessed my company with a host of talented and encouraging authors, I have my part to complete. That’s why He’s placed me here.
I’ve said to friends, “I don’t know why God chose me; I don’t know what I’m doing.” I hate to actually admit that, but especially at the beginning, this was so true and still is in some respects. And yet, I know Who does know everything I need to bring this company and its authors to the place that the Lord has purposed. God put me here. And He continues to lead.
My job is to listen. My job is to be willing. My job is to step into His footprints without hesitation. My job is to follow the plan He has.
That’s my focus, unique for 2017 and the challenges that I face leading this new company. What is your focus this year? To what challenge has the Lord called you? To prayer? To teaching? To being quiet? To consistency? To stepping from your comfort zone? Where do you hear His call?
Marji Laine 
2017/January at 9:35 am
Thank you for this piece of inspiration. I understand exactly as God has taken me along a mysterious path, but one in which I had to pull away from my own desires and be dependent on Him. You see, after major heart surgery, losing our home, my wife with two hip surgeries, one might think to be discouraged and alone in this world. But instead of sadness, He makes me sing, instead of loneliness, He fills my muse with more characters, articles, and novel prompt than ever before.
As we read His Word, it becomes alive in ways to share through my writing and also in bringing Christ to those around me. With my cramped hand, I can still praise Him. I can still type with one finger and a smile, for God still has a song in my heart to finish the task. That is my phrase for this year – to Finish The Task, for His Glory. I can find no higher calling than to reach out to people about Jesus.
I can also reach out to other writers in chronic pain and limitations. I paint a poor picture this morning. If you could see me, you would see one arm in a sling, two more pain prescriptions, and a gasp or two. That isn’t the point of course, for within this setting I find our God who supplies all our needs in Christ Jesus. I find our God who gives incredible understanding of His Word. I find our God who started a ball rolling last year by bringing two people who needed Him for Salvation across my path. IF you, as an author, need fresh insight and inspiration – just ask God to lead you to that next person that needs to find Him. There is something special about having a seeker read the verses through repentant tears, pray the sinners prayer and turn away from drugs and suicide – right there next to you.
Those experiences and the health issues put more passion into my writing than I ever thought possible. In fact, the new book will have much of this script within its pages.
I have no idea of the ‘how to’ get it to market, but God knows. He cares for you and I. In the next three weeks, I’ll have two more surgeries and will have both arms in slings, etc. But you know. I still have my muse for Him and can’t wait to see how the Lord is going to help me to – Finish the Task, that is before me..
Author Terry Palmer
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2017/January at 3:35 pm
Wow, Terry! Tears! What a story you have, and what an inspiration you are! I pray God will continue to lead for He certainly delights in you, your attitude, and your spirit!
Blessings on you as you finish this task and points you on to the next one!
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