I can’t say I’ve always wanted to be a writer. In fact, I didn’t care one bit about being an author, publishing a book, or writing my own stories until… well, until I tried it. Turns out, writing is just as fun as reading.
So when I’m writing, I don’t think of it as a job. Sure, it’s an income that supports my family, but I love doing it. That’s not work, right? I do what I love, and I call it work.
When I started writing a little over two years ago, I had no idea that it was part of a huge and elaborate plan that God had for my life. I can’t tell you how many times my writing career has paved a way for my family or been the solution to a problem when we needed help. I can’t call it anything other than one of God’s masterful plans.
Just in the last month, there have been countless times I’ve been thankful to have a career that allows a few freedoms.
In the beginning of June, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m not sure if I just haven’t processed everything yet or if I’m just supposed to be the optimistic one, but I’ve been the cheerleader. My mom broke down, of course, and I just keep assuring her that we’ll get through this together. I don’t know how we’ll do it, but I know in my heart that she has a lot of people who love her, and we’ll come together to help her in any way. I know love and support can’t save her from cancer, but I intend to do everything in my power to help her cope and recover.
Two weeks ago she had surgery, and thanks to my awesome day job boss (hey, Dad!) and my writing career, I was able to stay with her for those first few days of recovery when things were the toughest. I wrote while she slept and watched soap operas. I actually got sucked into General Hospital a few times.
How many careers would allow me to be there for her when she needed me? Few. I don’t know if God had been planning and urging me to write for this very reason, but it sure felt like it.
Once she was on her feet and doing amazingly well after the surgery, I loaded up with my husband’s family for a very anticipated trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. I was able to write a little bit on the plane and in the evenings, but for the most part, I spent five days enjoying the trip of a lifetime with the people I love.
I love writing with all my heart, and I’m thankful to be able to take the time off work to do things that make my heart happy. I’ll never forget the look on my five-year-old daughter’s face when she saw the fountains at the Bellagio. I’ll never forget the nights I spent sitting on the porch of our cabin watching the sun set on the Grand Canyon with my husband’s eighty-five year old grandparents. And I’ll always be thankful that I have in-laws that love all of this as much as I do.
These are the moments that make up a life of happiness, and I’m thankful to have a job where I don’t have to request time off or go unpaid when I miss work.
I’ll probably go home and claim that I’m too tired to ever take a vacation again, but I know that won’t be the truth. I wouldn’t want to miss more days like this.
My husband says I’ve found my “thing,” and I hope I have. I hope to be able to tell stories for the rest of my life, and I have you to thank for all of it. Most companies who sell a product don’t know their customers on a personal level, but writers have READERS, and those readers are FRIENDS.
Have I said that I love my job? Because I LOVE my job! I’ve included a few photos from the trip.
Have you ever had a job you loved? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Mandi Blake was born and raised in Alabama where she lives with her husband and daughter, but her southern heart loves to travel. Reading has been her favorite hobby for as long as she can remember, but writing is her passion. She loves a good happily ever after in her sweet Christian romance books, and loves to see her characters' relationships grow closer to God and each other.
My jobs have always been just that – jobs. Got to pay those bills.
I loved being a first grader teacher and making each of my students feel successful. I especially loved teaching them to read. I hope when they reflect back on school they will remember first grade and the fun we had together. It never felt like a job.
Not really. I did what I had to do to raise my kids. Being a nana is a great job. 😁
Hi Mandi, ((Hugs)) on your mom’s health situation and I’m glad you’re blessed with having flexibility with you work. Paid sick leave is a big plus for day jobs. I mostly enjoy my day job, although I sometimes think it would be nice to write full time. One day I’ll retire from the day job. 😊
I’ll be praying for your Mom!! I have a friend (from elementary school!!) who is undergoing treatments now for breast cancer, too. I love my proofreading job, and really enjoy my insurance agent job, too!!
I have always wanted to either be a paid artist or a published writer who could actually be paid for it. Unfortunately I’m 51, still querying agents and getting rejection after rejection. I lost my teacher aide job a year ago and I don’t see God opening any doors for me yet. I’m getting very depressed.
At least my husband is allowing me to keep pursuing writing and odd cleaning jobs as a SAHM with a teenager still in the nest.
Hi Mandy hugs to you and prayers for your mom. I am a Certified Nurses Aide and love my job. Being there for the elderly is so much work but totally worth it. So yes during this whole pandemic I have been working being every ones comfort and family when theirs couldn’t be there. My residents mean everything to me. I love them all. What a great job I have.
Hi Mandi, prayers for your mom as she goes through this.
I taught pre-school for 25 years letting it consume 80% of my time. So writing took the back seat. But now I retired May 2021, I’m a recent widow, and besides taking care of my almost blind Sophie (Shih Tzu), my time is devoted to writing. It’s something I love even more than teaching.
If you haven’t heard it yet, let me tell you what a treasure it is to have someone by your side saying “We’ll get through this together.” God bless you for that! God has made our bodies with all sorts of healing built in. That includes the way our minds work to support that healing when we have a positive outlook. Awesome work, Mandi.
I think the thing that gives me the most joy is being able to help others understand and solve problems. Sometimes that takes the form of teaching. Other times it takes the form of coming along side and working to solve a problem (my wife calls me Tech Master when it comes to computers :)). The jobs I have had have only partially included those things, so, never quite “in the zone” like what you have described for your writing.
I have really enjoyed the stories of yours that I have read so far. And there are more in the TBR pile! So glad you found your “thing”!
Love you, my sweet grand & so very proud of you. So glad God planted you in our family
The Best job I have ever had and have had is being a Mom, we were fortunate and made the decision that i didn’t have to work so that when our 2 children were growing up I was home with them. After they finished HS and were off to college, I got a part time job. Our daughter and son in law are both R.N.’s and when our 2 grandchildren we have with them were babies, my husband and I would take care of them in our home because both our daughter and son in law worked the night shift. Once our 2 grandchildren started school, they got their shifts changed to daytime shifts. Have a great week and stay safe. Prayers for your mama.
Payers for your mom, Mandi. I’m so glad you got to make the trip. I agree writing is the perfect job. I don’t have to get dressed for work. I walk to my office every day – it’s a room at the back of the house. And when my dad had surgery and health issues earlier this year, I was able to take off. Then once he recovered, I took the trip of a lifetime to the Ark Encounter with my husband. I’m still playing catch up, but I do love my job – that isn’t really work.
Prayers for your mom and your family as you go through this. I’m retired, from first a factory job, then drug store retail. But I love my present part time job: I work in a small used bookstore! 2-3 days a week, hours are 10-5 (I hate getting up early!), and I can borrow any book I want!
So glad you could spend time helping your mother.
I haven’t really had fulltime jobs. I use to enjoy babysitting. Even when I was cleaning while at times it was annoying I felt I was needed and that made it feel good. (all but one place where she tended to give back handed compliments and had to wash floors etc on my hands and knees.)
Most have mine have been too. I’ve enjoyed some, but the majority have been to pay the bills.
That’s wonderful! First grade is an important time for kids. They’re blessed to have you in their lives.
Aw! Nanas are very special!
Thank you! I started writing with the hope that I could do it full time, but I really can’t imagine my life without a day job. I guess I’ll do both as long as I can!
Thank you for the prayers. I know you’re an excellent proofreader. I’m glad you enjoy it!
Please don’t lose hope! I never tried the traditional publishing route. I always thought indie publishing was the path for me. But it’s always good to keep writing while you wait to be accepted. Hugs and prayers to you!
I’m so glad you enjoy your job! The elderly need people like you so much. I’m blessed with a wonderful family who isn’t afraid to step in and help when our grandparents are unwell, and I see the hard work the nurses and helpers put in when they’re sick. I’ll be praying for you!
I’m so glad you found happiness in yet another job. Teaching pre -school is TOUGH, and it’s something I could never do. Bless you for being patient and caring enough to lead out little ones.
Thank you! And I just want to say that I know VERY LITTLE about computers. The world needs people like you, and I sure appreciate you.
Aww. Hey, Nanny! Love you!
Raising kids and grandkids is a valuable job. Thank you for nurturing the next generations!
My family and I want to see the Ark Encounter too! We’ve been talking about it.
I’m so glad you get to do what you love. Writing is a fantastic job!
That’s the BEST job! My first job was at a bookstore, and I was there even on my off days. I absolutely loved working around the books everyday. I would be stocking shelves and tuck books under my arm to buy later haha!
Yikes! That one job sounds rough. I hate that you weren’t always appreciated, but I hope you encountered some people who did.
I do a lot of gig work, and one in particular was so fun and fulfilling. Unfortunately, the pandemic killed it.
Yes. I loved being a superintendent with my husband but my most favourite is being a stay at home mom. :)
My favor. is working as a superintendent for a 11 apartments building & the landlord is my age so we get along great. I love being a Dad & husband.
First of all prayers for your mom’s healing! My daughter has cancer so we have been a part of that war for the last year and a half. I was a labor and delivery nurse for20+ years and I love my job! After I fell and suffered a traumatic brain injury I retired as I know longer always was able to think fast on my feet and in an emergency never wanted any harm to come to my mama’s or their babies. I truly miss it but have also been very blessed in my retirement!
I love my job! People say “numbers flow in my blood” :)
I hate to hear that! I hope you find something you’re passionate about again.
It’s great that you get to work with your family on both counts!
That sounds interesting! Working with people you get along well with makes any job better.
I’m so glad you got to do what you loved! My prayers are with you and your daughter too.
I’m so glad you understand numbers because I usually don’t! Haha!
I told myself that I loved jobs. I think I was trying to be positive when I really did not feel that way. God bless you. Praying for you and your family.
How wonderful! Hope all is well with your mom. Yes, I had a job I loved and it didn’t feel like work at all, but the economy doesn’t allow me the luxury of that job anymore. I’m still happy to have had it and feel very blessed.