Welcome to the Inspy Romance Back to School Book Bash season! I hope you’re as excited as we are. If you missed the post, you can visit it HERE.
One of the highlights for me this year are listening to podcasts. This is a bit overwhelming to me, so right now I’ve tried ministries/pastors I enjoy (Elevation, Pastor Robert Morris for example) and The Office, a television show I didn’t enjoy at first, and then grew to absolutely love for the writing.
There are two podcasts related to the show. One is The Office Ladies. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey take each episode and share their experiences as only they can as two of the most loved actresses can.
An Oral History of The Office features actor Brian Baumgartner and a 12 hour look at the show from idea to casting to writing strike. It was listening to this episode that I had a revelation about my writing.
One of The Office writers shared the time when she announced she was leaving the beloved shows. Steve Carell, the actor who played Dunder Mifflin Paper Company manager, asked the writer if she was sure about her choice. When asked why he said, “Because I think you process a lot of your experiences through my character. I think Michael Scott’s your therapy.”
I don’t know if the other IR bloggers have the same issues I do but that comment got to me. When I wrote Entangled, I struggled. The words would not come. The theme was regret or surrendering the past. One day I felt a God nudge that there was an issue from my past I had to let go. I wrestled with it, but finally surrendered it. And when I did? The words flowed and readers still say that’s their favorite book.
Fast forward and I’m starting a new series. After several starts, it’s moving. My critique groups have been so complimentary. The series is Surrendering Opinions. It’s about the Collins sextuplets. They stay in the news because of tragedy, so each book belongs to a sibling and their young adult journey to find a love like the one their parents had. Anchored is the tentative title for this first one, and it’s all about surrendering control.
Jordyn is my heroine. As the oldest, even by a few minutes, she feels responsible. For her dad. Her siblings. Everyone around her. Spencer is the hero. He’s also the oldest in his family and suffered a recent loss. His dad isn’t handling it well. Spencer’s trying to control his family. His job. Everything around him. Oh, one more thing. Spencer and Jordyn have been thrown together for a new show at their television station.
Guess what my struggle is this year? 2020. The one with a pandemic. Control.
I don’t know when my husband returns to the office. Or when my kids will leave home for their education. As an “introvert’s introvert,” I like my space. I like to clean when the house is empty. To not have an end date on when I get tht space, it’s messing with me a bit.
As I thought about each book I realized as I wrote, God used each theme to work a new healing in my life. Funny thing, I never planned it. I pray about surrrender issues readers would be encouraged by. Only God knew there were things deep within me that needed to address. So I discovered my book themes are more than therapy, they are God’s way of healing me. Growing my faith and to be more like Jesus.
Writing is hard. Writing is lonely. Writing is weird. Writing is crazy.
But I love it.
Is there a surrender theme God’s working on in your life right now? Please feel free to share in the comments.
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, as well as ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past. The last book in the series, ENGAGED: Surrendering the Future, is coming soon. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She also blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband, two children, and chocolate stash. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com.
I am so looking forward to reading your new series!
Paula,
Thank you! It’s the most ambitious thing I’ve done. I’ve worked hard between books to learn the craft and improve. The feedback I’ve received is very encouraging. I can’t wait to release it!
God bless you and thank you for being so open on that topic. Its something I deal with alot myself, when I was growing up I struggled with an eating disorder, at the time I didn’t understand why but as the years went by and the Lord started to work in me I realized that it was the only thing I had control of (so I thought). As I’ve matured I have learned to give that area to The Lord but have then struggled with other areas. It is a daily battle to give it every day to The Lord and trust that He is ultimately The One in control. Looking forward to reading your books.
Angela,
Thank you so much for sharing. I have a feeling the pandemic and quarantine has shown a lot of people how much control is an issue. It can become a prison because as you said, we never had control, but we keep striving to in often unhealthy ways. Only the Lord is so right. I will definitely keep everyone updated on the release! Have a great weekend!
Grace! I love being of service to others, but still find it challenging to allow others to make a difference in my life.
Dianne,
Yes, that is one I struggle with as well. I find the more I trust God as a Father who gives good gifts the better I can allow others into my life. Blessings to you!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. During this pandemic I miss hugs, seeing my Mom (elderly) and going to mass.
Yvonne,
It really has been a hard season. My prayer is the worst is behind us, and we can bring those parts of our lives back soon. Sending you a virtual hug.
Thank you for this post. Surrendering is hard even if it’s the best for us. Feeling out of control can be both comforting and scary for me
I am also teaching a Sunday School class on surrender, another way God is working through me as I write. It’s Laura Story’s I Give Up: The Secret Joy of Surrendering. She said although it feels like a freefall, surrender is actually graciously descending into gentler, more capable hands. I love that. Have a blessed weekend!
We just moved recently, so trying to get a new start.
Susanne,
I’ve been there. That’s a huge surrender. Make sure you give yourself grace. It takes time. But hopefully you’re encouraged to know we all struggle with surrender, and that might be common ground for you to make new friendships! Praying God blesses you abundantly during this time!
Thank you!!
It’s been hard, hasn’t it! Like everyone else, I just want “normal” to return… but I hear normal is only a setting on the dryer.
Like you, I find myself learning a lot with each story I write. I may think the themes are “random” but God knows better.
It’s so true. I’ve never started a story thinking “This is what God’s doing in my life,” yet every time I find that’s exactly the journey. The series is Surrendering Opinions with six books. I think I have a lot of learning ahead of me…
Its amazing how God uses things to point us to what we need to work on, or to point us to Him.
It sure is. Thanks for reading Megan! Have a great weekend!
Things are hard especially now a days. In everything we do we have to trust that whatever the outcome is God’s Will. We plan , but then God changes our plan and it is Always for the Best if we listen to God’s Will. I love the prayer Serenity Prayer . Have a Great weekend and stay safe. God Bless you and your family.
Thank you, Alicia! I love the Serenity Prayer as well. I’m so glad you stopped by! Blessings to you and yours as well.
Thank you for the post <3
It's hard! Trusting the Lord that HE knows what He is doing :)
Natalya,
You’re welcome. The Lord knows. That’s one thing we can predict this year and always!
Amen!
Loss of control has been hard this year. My mom had a stroke right when our state shut down. She does not live near me so I drove there and stayed for a month. That turned me to taking daily walks and talking to God. He was the only constant in all of my frustrations. It is so hard being the parent for your parents. I hope 2021 is a much better year.
Caregiving is hard no matter close by or at a distance. I pray you sense His presence and peace. He cares so much for you and your mom!
welcome today. this is a wonderful post. and your series sounds like it would be great. i love to see how God works in our lives. especially when we didnt expect it. right now i think God is working on me to not be such a perfectionist. as my husband said “that is Gods department not yours” ohh he is so right. i dont think i would want Gods perfection department. i drive myself crazy now and i am no where close to His perfection. so i am slowly learning to let go and give it to Him. tough but rewarding
Lori,
What helped me was realizing I can work all day, every day to be perfect and I’ll never get there. Only Jesus is perfect. He’s got this, and He’s got YOU! Have a blessed weekend, Lori!
I’m a homebody. I’ve been home with mom as her caregiver for 8 years. I’ve worked from home 7 of those years, as the first year I was home I didn’t work at all. Since I’ve been home, I’ve been doing Bible studies at church, and now I’m one of the facilitators. We had just finished one this year when Covid hit. Now, we’re trying to decide what our next one will look like. I’m not a control person, not a perfectionist. The worst part about this year for me is being told NOT to do something, or being told I HAVE to do something. When our mall was closed and we weren’t to be out, I really wanted to go to the mall. Now that’s it has re-opened, I could care less. I know God is in control, this was no surprise to Him, and I’ve fine with that.
Trudy,
My mom has said the same. All she wanted was a slice of pizza from the mall. She’s still waiting. It’s frustrating. But you’re right, nothing about this year or when my mom can get her pizza is a surprise to God. He’s got it!
It’s so awesome how God can use a story to touch and teach not only the readers but also the author. Your new series sounds great.
Jessica,
He is so good. I pray the work He does through me will encourage readers. Blessings to you!
“Writing is hard”. Truer words have never been said. What I’m writing is non-fiction, so that’s why I found it fascinating (though not necessarily mind-blowing, because the Lord works in that way ;) ) that He would work in your life as you were working on your story. Seriously, thank you for sharing it!
Personally, I think that no matter what it is, surrendering will always be an issue for humanity because it’s what clearly reminds us of that fact (that we’re human), that we don’t have control over anything, and it clearly points out our need to trust and depend on the One who is God and controls everything. Just today I was reminded of this fact and it’s something I’m choosing to cling to: despite how overwhelming my current circumstances (or this writing) may be or seem, I can trust the Lord who holds everything in His hands (my future included).
Amen, Priscila! His arms are open to take care of the big stuff, and the small. This year, every year. Praise His name. Keep up the great work, Priscila. He’s with you, guiding your pen.
I sure can relate to the “introvert’s introvert” because I too love cleaning and whatnot when no-one is home, and it messes with my routine when there are people in my house (aka my family, lol)! So this whole pandemic thing has messed quite a bit with me and I’ve had to learn a new “normal” routine. I was honestly lost at first & didn’t want to do anything…not that I could anyway :-) But things have settled down again and I feel more comfortable. My husband’s work schedule is back to normal and our grown son has found a volunteer position so I can have my house more to myself.
As far as a theme God has in my life right now, I’m not really sure. Maybe that my timing certainly isn’t my timing on things and that He controls all things and not me. Giving up control has been a hard lesson for me to learn over the years & especially these last few months. Not being able to go out when I wanted (which isn’t often normally) and doing the things I normally do really threw me off kilter. So God has been gently showing me (again) that I can lean on Him and to let Him work….things go much more smoothly when I give up that control. It’s not easy I tell ya! I want to jerk back the reins from His hands, but I know if I do that, that things will really go the wrong way. So I’ve also learned to be a teeny bit more patient (again NOT easy). Sigh! Life lessons worth learning don’t always come the easy way :-)
I’m full time caregiver for my mom now and I’m learning to give up my enjoyments to bring her joy.
This series sounds like it is going to be very intriguing!
The pandemic has been hard for me for a lot of the same reasons.
The therapy of storytelling. It really is a thing. If we understand that the goal is getting our thoughts lined up with God’s, then we are on the right track. In my experience, God seems to be constantly asking me the question, “Who is in control?” Whatever my answer is (other than “You are” :)), He sends a circumstance that corrects my thinking. Since it is my nature to try to control things by being passive-agressive, my curriculum for life learning is pretty thick. (And so, apparently, is my skull :)) Therapy through writing is such a big deal for me that I’m currently writing about someone who is recovering from depression, counseling sessions and all. Since that would be pretty boring by itself, there are several other story lines going on as well. However, they all hinge, in one way or another, on the recovery of the main character. Praise God that the journey is so full of His very presence. I guess when life is eternal, it’s all journey when you think about it.
I started my series with the themes. But there always seems to be a subtheme that shows what I was going through in my own marriage. For example, the second in my “Love is” series was originally titled, “Love does not envy or boast.” I changed it to Her Heart’s Jealousy, because jealousy is the main theme. But there was also the theme of forgiveness, something that is hard for me.
As to the pandemic, it hasn’t really changed my life much. But I still am working on being more flexible with my agenda. We just got a new puppy this week, and I’ve had to really let go of my to-do list and just do what I can while creating a new schedule. (Typing this with a snoozing puppy on my lap. I can’t go to sleep until I wake him up and wear him out again.) ;)
2020 has been a difficult year due to the pandemic and the Northern CA fires. I stay sane by watching basketball or old movies with my mom!
Interesting post – something for me to think about – that God really is in control and not me – how is that supposed to look in real life? I look forward to reading your new series – the concept seems quite unique.
Your book series sounds amazing Thank you so much for sharing I am So Thankful Jesus Is In Control!
I am struggling on many fronts. I am struggling with learning to live with not being able to take care of myself. I need help to get showered and dressed. I cannot walk for any distance. I walk with a walker. I am blessed that both of my parents are still alive. They are both 82 years old. They divorced when I was 18. My step mom past away in March. I am an only child. I am helping my Dad walk through this new way of life. He had to move out of the home they shared two months after her death. Her children have brought legal battles into play. We hope they are now behind him. My Mom is on oxygen and going down hill daily. My husband is developmentally delayed with multiple health issues. I struggle to try to keep the status quo. I struggle to want to control. I have no where to find quiet and time for me. I know God has it all. It is hard to be walking all these paths right now.
Such an important principle! It can be so hard to let go of things that we have held onto, but especially with things we can’t control, the only way to find peace is to surrender it to God.
A thought provoking piece. And relatable too, especially in these trying times for everyone.
I just switched from being a stay at home Mom to working full time. I have always planned to stay at home, so the change in my plan was really hard. It really helped though when God convicted me that my plan might be changing, but His wasn’t.