Write His Answer

The 2020 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference was scheduled to begin this evening with a keynote by Liz Curtis Higgs. But then the coronavirus locked down our nation. It didn’t take God by surprise, and He does have a plan.

For seven weeks I struggled with whether or not to postpone the conference until next year. Should I trust the Lord and move ahead with finalizing the program, updating the website, and printing the brochure? But I didn’t have peace. Still, the thought of cancelling what would be GPCWC’s 37th year of ministry, especially after the pain of cancelling the Colorado conference, was more than I could face.

Finally, on May 20 I knew Father did not want me to risk the lives of faculty and conferees, many who would no doubt be high risk. And so the decision was made, and finally I experienced His peace that passes understanding.

Since then I have felt such an emptiness and sadness. Yes, I’ve been grieving. I have kept busy with editing books for other writers, but I didn’t even blog for a month. Never before in the 40 plus years I’ve been writing have I been at a loss for words.

I’m so grateful for the couple at church who prayed for me two weeks ago. Their prayer and mine broke through the block.

“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”
Jeremiah 29:12-14 (MSG)

I finally had words to share and blogged about the conflict that is tearing our nation apart in Bring Us Together. I finished and published How to Write His Answer – Testimonies & Personal Experience Stories and blogged about it in Persevere – and TWO surprise gifts.

What joy to again feel His presence and to know that He knows the plans He has for me and is leading me.

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.“
Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)

For over a week I’ve been searching through my files for the columns I wrote for three years for what was then The Christian Writer. It’s not hard for things to get lost in the three filing cabinets, five carts of drawers, and three other carts of hanging files with two drawers each that are packed into my office that my husband calls “the black hole.”

I even searched in the basement but with no success. “Father, please show me where else to look.” Then I remembered the filing cabinet in our garage. The drawers are so stuffed I could hardly get them open. But finally, in the third drawer I found what I was looking for and something else. I’m certain God was NOT surprised!

Thirty-seven years ago I began work on Grace and Weight – Devotions for Dieters. I found an outline for 17 devotions along with Scriptures for each, the introduction, and the first devotion. But thirty-seven years ago was the year I launched the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship and directed our first seminar. I had no idea it would grow to a 3.5 day conference with a faculty of over 50, or that 24 years ago God would also lead me to begin directing the Colorado Christian Writers Conference.

Thirty-seven years ago – and this year’s GPCWC would have been our 37th year!

I remember Gayle Roper telling me that directing a conference would cut into the time needed for my own writing. That’s true, but I have no regrets. I’ve always known I can make a much greater impact for His Kingdom through encouraging and equipping others to “write His answer” than just through my own writing. And as I told someone this morning, the conferences will continue next year if not live, then virtual. The YMCA of the Rockies is already reserved and the deposit paid for the May 12-15, 2021 and May 11-14, 2022 Colorado conference. I won’t have a date for next year’s Philly conference until the end of the year, but Liz Curtis Higgs is saving the three possible dates (July 21-24, July 28-31, or August 4-7).

The 2021 Colorado conference is already planned with the faculty and program in place. Go to https://colorado.writehisanswer.com. Even my taxes are done! (For years I’ve been requesting an extension until the fall because there’s no time to do them during conference season.) So . . . I can’t use the excuse of not having enough time. I do have time to work on this new book! And it’s something I need to do for me. For years I’ve battled (not always successfully) being overweight. It’s taken a toll on my knees that both need to be replaced. Doctors say “losing just 10 pounds would relieve 40 pounds of pressure from my knees,” and I have a lot more than 10 pounds to lose!

Would you please pray for me? Pray I’ll apply the same energy and determination I’ve had directing 59 conferences into finishing Grace and Weight – A Bible Study for Those Who Weigh Too Much. Pray for Father’s anointing of my words and for His strength to “live the answer” I’ll be writing. If like me you need to lose weight, I hope you’ll visit my new Grace and Weight Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/Grace-and-Weight-107196014414185. In today’s post you’ll find a link to the first short chapter.

Meanwhile, let me know how I can be praying for you. What writing project is Father calling you to begin and to finish during these days that have not taken Him by surprise?