“Gra’ma, can I have some candy?”
“Not yet,” I said. “We’re getting ready to eat supper.”
Eyes focused on me, his little hand reached into the container and grabbed several morsels. Before I could reach out, his full mouth smirked at me. Knowing there was more at stake than a spoiled meal, I marched my grandson to the waste basket and ordered him to spit out the candy.
Oh yes, I have acted just like my grandson. I, too, have a streak of stubborn independence. How many times have I asked the Lord about something, then gone ahead with it when I sensed a “no” or a “not now?” Many times, it’s not about bad choices but poor timing—like staying up late to work on a project then getting up for an 8:00 zoom meeting. Or, working through lunch, then raiding the snack drawer. Maybe it’s working on social media content instead of seeking insight for my work on deadline.
What makes us think we can get away with things when the Lord has said no to them? Are we so confident in His benevolence we believe we are exempt from the consequences?
Just like a grandmother knows a better meal is coming, God can see the bigger picture for the range and outreach of the words we write.
Exercise:
- What does it mean to “have zeal without knowledge?” Proverbs 19:2 (NIV)
- How can research help your WIP?
- How does knowledge reflect self-love? Proverbs 19:8
- Why is it wise to seek better understanding for your WIP?
- Patience is a by-product of what trait? Proverbs 19:11
- How could patience be applied to your writing?
- Do you need to administer grace to yourself in your writing projects?
- What does it look like to be a “prudent” writer? Proverbs 19:14 (NIV)
- How does laziness creep into our work habits? Proverbs 19:15
- What has God been asking you to give up, in order to pursue the better thing?
- How do instructions offer life to our words? Proverbs 19:16
- How is the Lord nudging your writing focus?
- How does discipline bring hope to our writing? Proverbs 19:18
- What are the plans you’re asking the Lord to bless? Proverbs 19:21
- How is your walk with God giving life to your writing? Proverbs 19:23
What would Solomon say to us today? Be teachable! Proverbs 19:20
Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.
Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.
Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net
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