An Expiration Date . . . For Writing?

Do you pay attention to expiration dates? They seem to be on everything these days, from perishable foods to soft drinks to hygiene products.

A few days ago, my wife stopped by my office with a small bag of peanuts she had just purchased at the grocery store. She knows how much I love them, so I opened the pacakage immediately and started munching. I soon noticed the flavor was a bit “off.” I looked at the packaging, and the expiration date had passed several months before.

Well, great! I was so looking forward to devouring all of those crunchy goodies, in between sips of my Dr. Pepper, but that dream ended with that pesky month/day/year listing.

I have been thinking: does our writing have an expiration date?

I am in one of those periods where I am in-between projects. I have several proposals out there but no “bites” yet. I recently celebrated a BIG birthday, so I’ve been quite reflective lately.

Are there STILL other projects for me? Will another contract EVER come my way? Will I be able to RETIRE with the next advance? (Considering my last “advance” arrived TWO YEARS AFTER the book was published, I’m not holding my breath on that last one.)

If you’re a worrier like I can be at times, you worry whether that last project was REALLY the last project. Do I have anything else to say? If I do, will anyone want to read it?

Once I finished my little pity party, I realized I don’t have control over such things—God does. If He has called me to write, He will see it through and guide me to the next open door.

Even with that assurance, God can still alter your direction if He chooses to do so. Over the last several months, God has been leading me into more speaking, opening doors in that area I never thought would open, even if I tried prying them a smidge or knocking them down. Writing and speaking often go together, so have Your way, Lord.

If you are down today because the contracts aren’t overflowing your inbox, take heart. Our timing is not God’s timing, and He holds the key to those doors and will open them in the right time.

In the meantime, keep writing, be encouraged, and check those expiration dates before you start munching down.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.