When I was a child, I loved books and dreamed of becoming a writer someday. In high school, I journaled and wrote poetry, but only for myself. In university, I interned with a city magazine, and soon after started freelancing short articles in various publications. In graduate school, I put off writing my master’s thesis so I could write a book. Why work on a thesis only to have it sit gathering dust on a shelf when I could be writing a book that people might actually read?

As I continued to write and publish books and articles, my husband would often say, “You’re living your dream.” And he was right. As a child, I had dreamed of becoming a writer “someday,” and that day had actually happened.

– excerpt from my first editorial for Rejoice!, Spring 2023. Used with permission.

When my husband died unexpectedly last year, I felt so overwhelmed that I couldn’t write much except my personal journal where I poured out my heart. Then as I gradually resumed writing for publication, I focused mainly on blog posts, sermons, and other short, self-contained pieces, including a collection of sermons to be released this year. Editing daily devotionals for Rejoice! seemed to fit well since those too were short pieces. I just didn’t have the head space or heart space for a longer, more sustained writing project.

But some weeks ago, I had the passing thought that I might be able to start thinking about another book. It was such a passing thought that when a writer friend asked if I was thinking about another book, I honestly said no. Between serving as resident author at my church, editing Rejoice!, blogging, my other writing and speaking, and the myriad relationships and things of daily life, I didn’t know how I could write another book too. So I had let that passing thought pass me by.

Then to my surprise—on the same day I told my writer friend no—I got an email from an editor wondering if I might be interested in doing another book. She even included a few ideas based on some of my work that she had seen. Suddenly my passing thought had returned to me. Suddenly it had become more than simply passing through.

I’m curious now to see where this will lead if anywhere. Am I ready, whatever that means? Is there room in my head, my heart, my life to write another book at this time? Where is God leading me in this season?

And what about you? Have you ever followed a passing thought to see where it might lead? Did it prove to be simply passing through for a time, or was it part of a more enduring dream for you? Whatever your dreams and passing thoughts, may God grant you good discernment.

Writing/Reflection Prompt: In what ways are you already living your dream? What is the next small step you can take in that direction?

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