This is NOT a Highlight Reel

This is NOT a highlight reel.

No glossy pictures and smiling poses.

Nope. Not today. 

This week I received several rejections.

Yep, all at once.

I feel deflated.

Discouraged.

Tearful even.

And, yes, a teeny, tiny bit… Jealous. 

There, I’ve said it. 

Sometimes I feel jealous of the success I see in others when I’m only seeing my rejections. 

It’s easy to do, isn’t it?

My rational mind told me that I shouldn’t be upset; after all, I should focus on my recent accomplishments.

I’ve recently had Chicken Soup for the Soul accept three of my stories for publication. 

I’ve been offered two speaking engagements for this fall. 

Other stories have been accepted to guest post on other blogs. 

But our feelings are not often driven by rational thought. 

When our feelings are hurt, we only see the dark side of things, not the positives. 

So, I vented to my husband. (He doesn’t really understand but he loves me and comforts me anyway).

Then I wiped my tears away, straightened my shoulders, and started giving myself the “Pep talk”, reminding myself of all that I had accomplished and would continue to celebrate. 

And remind myself of WHY and write and for WHOM I write. 

God has a great sense of humour. The irony of today’s scripture verse in my daily reading:  

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 ESV 

I was never writing for success, accolades, and awards. 

My writing journey started with the desire to share my experiences to help others have hope in faith through my struggles. 

Has that happened? Yes. 

Will I continue to write? Yes. 

I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my words with others. 

Grateful for the time to write and the ability to share my thoughts with others. 

And I will do what thousands of writers do when they face rejection and discouragement…

Dust myself off, get back in the chair, and keep writing.

Keep submitting.

Keep encouraging others through the words that God lays on my heart. Keep sharing “life” so that others can be encouraged and uplifted through my struggles and trials. 

There is a statement often made in writers’ circles: “If your words touched only one person and made a difference, would you write anyway?” 

The answer is always “Yes”. 

And remember why I am writing and who I am writing for.

What is your writing struggle today?