Through My Window

I recently discovered something startling, and I need to tell someone. Award-winning, internationally bestselling author Davis Bunn has been peeking in my windows.

I realized this fact during his keynote address at the recent Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The scenario he described was a perfect capsule of my life for the past year.

Watch the rosebushes, Davis.

He described a time in his life when he wanted to write while holding down a full-time job that was stressful. Well, hello. He said he would come home in the evenings and try to write, but he was too drained and exhausted, mentally and physically, to do so.

Here’s some Windex, Davis, make yourself useful.

I have been in my current job for 27 years, and the majority of the time it has been a wonderful place to work. This year? Hmmmm. I won’t go into details, but it was a tough, tough year. Most days, I felt the same way as Davis described. After work, I would often try to write something meaningful, but the words didn’t come. It was easier to give myself a brain break and play Spider Solitaire and watch the Great British Baking Show on Netflix.

Davis said something else that hit me where I live.

“By focusing on the hardship of my situation, I was making the hardship harder still.”

Why you gotta be so real, Mr. Bunn?

I realized what I had done. I had let the stress of everyday life keep me from what God called me to do. I was like Peter, who sank like a rock when he paid attention to the waves instead of focusing his eyes on Jesus while He was walking on water. I had gazed on the circumstances and not on the Savior.

Bunn completed his speech, and I assume he returned to his room to write another bestseller.

On the other hand, I trudged across campus through a monsoon to my lovingly-appointed Ridgecrest room and got real with God. In the most honest time of prayer I’ve had in a long time, I asked Him to forgive me and to help me navigate the balance between the circumstances of life and my writing. I emerged with my faith energized, knowing He will keep His promises and motivate me to do better at keeping my eyes on Him.

Full disclosure: Davis Bunn didn’t actually look in my windows (Although that would be cool, albeit a little creepy). However, he did obey God by “opening the vein” to share a message that hit me and many others like a hammer right when we needed it.

Thanks, Davis Bunn. Oh, and you missed a spot over there.