Treasure in Unlikely Places

How thankful I am for my grocery deliveries—they have changed my life. In days past, I’d spend a few hours at a shopping centre on Monday, then spend the rest of the week recovering. But now—my online shopping is only a few simple computer clicks, and my ever-flagging energy levels remain topped up. Perfect! One cold wet Monday recently, I opened my front door to a lean, lanky young man. “Come in” I said with a smile. He walked inside, his arms laden with shopping bags.

As he strode past my bookcase, he turned, glancing at its contents with hungry eyes.

“What an interesting house!” He placed the shopping on my kitchen bench top.

“Could I have a look at your books?”

“Sure”

It was the first time a delivery man had been fascinated by my books. Come to think of it, it was the first time anyone had looked so rapt at the sight of my precious bookcase, containing my writerly world. He pulled out a couple of books and read their blurbs in deep concentration. Yes, he was a reader. I asked him what he’d been reading lately. His answer surprised me—he’d  been reading Buddhist teachings.

“So you’re interested in spirituality?”

He nodded.

“That’s great!” I felt the tug of the Holy Spirit in my heart. Give him one of your books Anusha. I ran inside and brought a copy of ‘Enjoying the Journey’. Jake (let’s call him ‘Jake’) took it, surprised and grateful. After he left, I prayed fervently for Jake. Strangely enough, just before he’d  arrived, I’d been mulling over the fact that some Christians might share Jesus with their delivery men, sure I wasn’t one of them. But here was a God-breathed opportunity. I prayed that this lovely young man would return so we could have a God conversation. I prayed that he would read my book. I prayed he would and seek and find the Light of the world.

Sometimes we find treasure in unexpected places, don’t we? If I didn’t suffer from chronic illness, I would not have needed Jake to deliver my groceries—and he, a seeker would not have got a copy of a Christian book in his hands.

What are the treasures we Christian writers discover in unexpected places?

Here are a few possibilities:

1.      Did something unpleasant happen to you this year? You've got some interesting writing material!

2.      Did a relationship break down?  Perhaps your new knowledge could be used to enhance your fictional characters?

3.      Did you face a rejection in your writing? You may have learnt to better your craft?

4.      Has your health failed you this year? Could it lead to more times of reading… which would in turn fuel your writing?

5.      Did the Enemy whisper negative words to you? Aha—perhaps he knows you are a writer to be reckoned with? Keep writing

6.      Did life throw curve balls at you? Perhaps it’s made you grow into a more mature writer?

7.      Has finding sufficient time to write been a challenge? Perhaps it’s time to order your life anew? Maybe it's time to discover a different set of priorities for this present season?

8.      Have there been more failures than successes in your writing journey? You know what they say … it can only get better from here!

9.      Do you feel a failure? The perfect soil for a writer's tree to flourish are roots of deep humility. So put on your on writerly gloves and keep gardening.

10. Has your walk with God been on shaky ground? It just might be an invitation from God Himself, to seek Him all over again? Who knows where that would lead.

You and I know too well how hard the battle. Writing is not for the fainthearted; that’s for sure. Rarely has either my life or my writing life gone according to plan. But you know what? God’s used those hard times to help me dig out riches—like a deep pit which yields its sparkling gems, glimmering under the sun, but mined with difficulty, through blood, sweat and tears.

·               Let's throw off the discouragement that often clings to our writerly dreams. Let's embrace our calling and ask God to lead us. Let our hearts, lives and our pens create pages of beauty, truth and goodness, words which will make a difference to our world and resound to His glory.  

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. 

She loves to find others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus. Please stop by at her website to say G’day to her. She’d love to see you there. Dancing in the Rain. Her first book "Enjoying the Journey" is a collection of little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. 

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A Loss or a GIFT?

I’d bought it for $12.00 at the village – a small shiny silver elephant brooch. I thought it would look perfect on my black jumper. And so the very next Sunday, I wore it to church. The striking contrast of a shiny little silver elephant against a black jumper caused many friends to notice and admire it. Yes, it was twelve dollars well spent.

I wore it again and again. But guess what. The clasp behind the elephant didn’t work very well. So practically every time I wore it, I’d lose the brooch in a few hours. The very first time it occurred, I’d given it up for lost, when a lady placed it under my nose, asking me ‘Is this yours”? “Yes” I exclaimed in glad surprise. How did she know? Perhaps the little elephant’s fame had spread far and wide.

Another time I lost it only to find it a few days later, reposing on the floor of my car. A third time, a friend found it and returned it to me. Yay! Every single time I lost it – it somehow found its way back to me. Returned. Reclaimed. Re-owned. Amazing! (I think that little Elephant was determined to stay under my loving care. Don’t you agree?)

As a follower of Jesus, when I think of lost and found items, the parable of the lost sheep leaps to mind. All of us Christian writers have been like this little lost sheep at some point in our lives, haven’t we? And God has found us. How blessed we are!

I wonder if you have lost something this past year? Was 2012 a difficult year for you? Did you feel glad to see the back of it? Did you lose a relationship that was close to you? Or did you lose something tangible that was dear to your heart? Did you lose a dream? Did life perform an unwelcome series of antics in your presence and steal some of your joy? Did Satan trample hard on your desires? Did you lose your hope? Or courage?

I have good news for you. For a Disciple of Jesus – God’s Word holds out many blessed promises to all who grieve. Comfort, Strength; a New Beginning. Jesus Himself and His presence with us. Hope. So I’d like to assure you today that God has promised to return to you what was lost. Sometimes He replaces it with something far better.

As a Christian Writer – is there something you’d like to reclaim today? Inspiration? Fresh ideas? Readers to buy your books? New ways of promoting your wares? A way to push out of writer’s block? Courage to stay true to your calling?

As I write this today, on the 11th of January 2013, I am about to lose something precious. My independence. In 6 days time, I will be on an operating table. My right foot will be subject to lots of torture. Well, not torture but surgery. (Same thing, isn’t it?) An ugly bunion will be sliced and corrected. A badly dislocated toe will be shortened and re-made. Tendons and ligaments will be sewn up. And then for two long weeks, I will not just be house-bound but also bed bound. Not allowed to do anything apart from gazing at the ceiling with my foot raised above my heart.

On the whole, it’s not my favourite way to live.

But wait a minute. Perhaps it will be just what God Himself ordered. I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience. Perhaps when the worst is over, I might even write a book about it. Perhaps after the pain has lessened, I will gain lots of pleasurable time to dream, to plan, to read, to write, to spend with God. My loss of independence will be difficult. But I might have a perfect little Writer’s Retreat during those 3 months, when I can write to my heart’s content and read to my heart’s content too – all in a wonderful guilt free mode. I have to admit that it’s sounding better by the minute!

What have you lost today? Is God calling you to something new through what you lost? Often our losses bring new blessings gift-wrapped in God’s special wrapping paper. I pray that you will find the package God is delivering to you in 2013 marked with Your Name – a special parcel filled with Hopes and Dreams for you alone, and God’s loving signature written with heavenly flourish, stamped all over it.

May your loss compel you to reach up to receive a brand new Gift from Him today.
Reach up and claim it dear Friend. It is yours.

And perhaps you can write a best seller about it one day to bless your world!
What do you think?

PS It's now 12 days since my operation. I have been under the surgeon's knife. Yes, it's hard being totally dependent on others for ALL of my needs. But - I have been deeply blessed. I am presently into my 13th day post op - and it has been a wonderful, restorative, restful 13 days. Many refreshing times with the Lord and my cup overflows. It was indeed a precious gift from Him. I pray that your loss too will be the same - an amazing gift from our Father God.

Anusha loves life and loves people. She’s passionate about Jesus and the difference He has made in her life. She has always been fascinated by the English language and enjoys playing with words. She also loves to inspire and bless her world through her written word and through her life. You can visit her at her website ‘Dancing in the Rain’
at http://anusha-atukorala.webnode.com/