Last month I attended SoCal Christian Writer’s Conference held at Biola University. I had only signed up because I wanted to visit someone there and because my publisher was pushing hard for me to go, so we could be roommates. As it turned out the person I was planning to visit wasn’t going to be around after all, and I was regretting my decision to attend. However, that all changed the first night I was there.
My wonderful writer friend JoAnn Durgin and I were taken on a fun trip to Downtown Disney by the effervescent Sandy Barela and her business partner/daughter (I love this lady and her daughter)–Sandy’s husband chauffeured. It was such a wonderful time of fellowship! I can not tell you how much I needed those few hours. It changed my attitude and kicked off the conference in a positive way for me.
Have you ever been in a season of your life where you were pushing yourself so hard that you forgot how to have fun and enjoy life? That’s where I was, going into this conference. I didn’t even know how to relax anymore.
For me this conference wasn’t about growing in the craft of writing but rather growing as a daughter of Christ and putting my focus on Him. It wasn’t that I had stuffed the Lord aside because I hadn’t, but I wasn’t taking time to just be, and I needed to be still. I was wound up as tight as the strings on a piano. Allan Arnold was one of the speakers at the conference and I loved this quote from him.
As I move forward from this life altering conference, I want to keep my focus on Him and follow His schedule. I tend to race ahead of the Lord and my desire is to stop that. My hope is move at His pace and enjoy the journey.
Have you ever experienced a moment or event that had a huge positive impact on your spiritual life?
I will end this with one final quote from Allan.
“God shows us how to be more rather than do more.” For this workaholic that’s profound.
P.S. At the time I originally wrote this post I had planned to wait until fall to re-release my Leavenworth, WA series but I released the first book this week and wanted to let you know since it’s only 99¢ until the end of the month. I’ll post more about this series next month, but in the meantime here is the link and the cover. http://amzn.to/2vIDH74
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance, romantic mystery, and romantic suspense that warms the heart and feeds the soul. Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
Hi Kimberly, glad to hear you had a great time and were able to strengthen your connections- with others and with God. Being a teacher means giving a lot of yourself, it is easy to feel stretched, thin as a result. While I cannot think of one defining moment/event, I can certainly reflect on the many times when being outdoors, reflecting on God’s awesomeness, that the creator of the universe would die for me, has given me strength and renewal.
Blessings, and thanks for the heads up about the new book:)
Hi Kimberly! Thanks for sharing your learning experience at the writer’s conference. Besides the daily moments of a beautiful sunrise or sunset, being refreshed by a new season, or a smile and kind word; I believe in each season of our lives, God gives us respite. As a retiree, I have enjoyed the slower pace of this summer. While it was unfortunate my daughter-in-law broke her wrist in June and as been out of work for two months, I enjoyed not caring for their three children all summer. While the grandkids are good kids, I did not realize how much energy it took to care for them. Plus it gave me a chance to bond with our newest granddaughter – one on one. God’s ways and timing are the best. Best wishes and congrats on your new releases.
Hi Kimberly. Thanks for sharing your experience. I think that’s a lesson we all must be reminded every once in a while.
I live near Leavenworth now I must read this series! ?
Hi Wemble, I love that not only did Jesus give us eternal life but we can also feel His presence in God’s creation.
Hi Renate, it’s so wonderful that you could bond with your new granddaughter this summer! Yes, His timing is always best. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Thanks, Laura.
That’s cool, thegeenofquitealot! You’ll find a couple mentions of not being able to do things without the entire town knowing. When my husband and I were there visiting family we had talked about taking one of the hikes I’d mentioned in book two–set to release next week. I thought we could do it before church since we were attending the later service. We drove out to the trailhead and realized this was a “real” hike and we weren’t dressed for it, so headed back to town. Later in church my husband’s uncle says “I heard you went to ….” I don’t recall the name of the trail. Apparently someone who recognized us from the day before when we were riding around with his uncle in his open top Jeep saw us headed to the trail and told him. lol
Thank you for sharing! I really enjoyed this, and thought of the times of refreshing for me. With my hubby quitting his job and considering retiring, our life has really slowed down, and we have actually been able to enjoy each day. Your first book was really fun to read! And I LOVE the new cover!
Psalm 46:10 “Be still… and know that I am God.” Thanks for the reminder right now when I am pushing hard on deadline. Is that my idea… or God’s?
Thanks, Becky! I’m glad you enjoyed the book. It’s so great that you are enjoying life at a slower pace.
Thanks for the post. Also for the link – I just bought the book!
Great vs. Valerie. I’ve wondered the same about deadlines.
Thanks for buying the book, Margaret! I hope you enjoy it. :)
Thanks for sharing your great experience–it’s always good to be reminded to be rather than to do something. I hope you and JoAnn have enjoyed the trip.
We had a great time, Priscila. Thanks. :)
Thanks for your post and also the info on your book at a special price! Gonna run over to Amazon and get it!
Have a blessed weekend!
Thanks, Jackie! I hope you enjoy the book.
Yep I can relate to the burnout. Had that happen here a few months when too many things happened at once & got way behind on my review books. I felt overwhelmed & like I was losing my love of reading, almost like it was a chore rather than something I enjoy doing. It was hard & I wanted to just give it up. I asked God to help me, talked to the authors and let them know my situation (they were very understanding) & just took things one at a time. I got those review books done (slower than I liked but still) and am feeling a lot better and more normal :-)
I guess I just needed to find the “fun” again!
Just saw this great post, Kimberly (deadlines, you know)! I loved hearing Allen Arnold speak at SoCalCWC, and he definitely gave us many noteworthy quotes. It was one of the best writing conferences I’ve ever attended, and I’m so glad you encouraged me to go! :) Sandy was a hoot, and yes, going to Downtown Disney that first night started things off in a very fun way. Blessings, and congrats on all the releases coming up!
Ha ha! Yes a spread out valley but small town mentality for sure! It seems everyone knows everyone else even if they know them through what others say.