Permission to Pause

There's a very real pressure on indie authors to do it all and do it now. Many of us write, edit, publish, and market our own books. We spend hours on websites, blogs, social media posts, and emails, not to mention trying to find time for research and writing. Then on to our other job(s), raising kids, having lunch with friends, going on dates with our significant others. It's a lot to juggle. 

I love the story that Bobby Connor (Eagles View Ministries) tells of hiking up a mountain. He’s huffin’ and puffin’, wondering why he’s doing this crazy thing when the Lord speaks to him and says, “Look, isn't that beautiful?” Bobby looks around at the beautiful mountains and says, “Yes, Lord, it sure is.” but the Lord says, “No, look, isn't that beautiful?” Looking again, Bobby says, “Yes, Lord, it is.” Once more the Lord says, “No, look, isn't that beautiful?”

This time Bobby looks down instead of up and sees a tiny purple flower growing in the crack of a rock. Delicate, intricate. It was the most beautiful flower he had ever seen. And you know what the Lord said to him then? He told Bobby how he ushered a seed on the wings of the wind, placed it in the protection of the rock, then watered and cared for it so it could grow strong and resilient, blossoming at the exact moment it did, just for Bobby. Just to show him His love and care and almighty majesty. 

How often do we forget about the little things? We look at the mountains and forget about the flowers—each one unique, given for our enjoyment. We have to stop and turn aside to see the things laid out right at our feet. Maybe it’s not a flower, but your child or spouse. Maybe you need to pack up and take that vacation you’ve been talking about. Or enjoy the beautiful Fall weather (go to the pumpkin patch!), watch a movie with a friend, or take an extended weekend at the lake. 

God has given us gifts and talents, but He has also given us family and friendships. And in the grand scheme of things, they are more important than our daily word count or our publication date. 

So take a break. Give yourself permission to step away and look at the beautiful things the Lord has placed in front of you. 

And don’t forget to pause and say, “Thank You.”