Pray and Submit

The text came while my wife and I were traveling home from an out-of-town doctor’s appointment.

“I’m doing a new book, and, for the first time, I am open to submissions from men. Submit something!”

My friend has edited a series of books about “Warrior Women,” focusing on various aspects of Christian life. I had heard about them and seen pictures of the covers but had never considered writing for one of the books, as the previous editions had been stories about women, by women.

My friend proceeded to give me the theme and the deadline, and I told her I would think and pray about it and try to submit something. Over the next few weeks, I got caught up in the busyness of life—work, church commitments, etc.—and forgot about the project.

I finally remembered . . . on deadline day. I got home from a long, hard day at my job and thought about how I would word a message to my friend, telling her I was not going to be able to submit anything. I hate disappointing people, but I did not see any other choice. How could I put something together this late in the process? When I need to do some serious thinking or praying, I take a walk in my neighborhood.

I set off on the windy country road and started talking to God. As I walked and talked, an idea came to mind, like an instant download from above. By the time I reached the end of the road and turned around to head home, the ideas were firmly in my mind. I hurried home, grabbed my laptop, and hammered out a story with the “Warrior Woman” theme.

Like most any writer would do, I finished and then walked away for a while, letting the story stew in my mind, going back to it for a quick revision after a while. At the zero hour, I clicked “send” on the submission to my friend. She was thrilled and even asked for photos to accompany the story.

The moral to the story? Never say never on a project until you talk to God. Prayer sharpened my focus and gave me the final push for an idea and to finish the piece. Is prayer a “magic pill” or a “free pass” to writing? Absolutely not. But, if I am pursuing God and talking to Him regularly, my writing will flow from that communication.

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 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.