a Christmas story to introduce a brand new 3-book series—Coming October 3rd
I’m currently heavy into writing the first full-length Carnton novel (title yet TBD). Each day when I begin writing, I reread what I’ve written the day before. It’s part of my routine. It helps me to get back into the flow of things, plus I have a pretty wicked editor inside me that I have a tough time shutting down.
I tweak here and there. Remove sentences. Move things around. Delete information that either the character—or perhaps the reader—ended up not needing to know at that point in the story.
Perhaps a paragraph slowed the pace or simply wasn’t crucial to the scene. So, it has to go. I move that portion of text to my Carnton 1 Excerpt file. (I’ve learned not to permanently delete it lest I find I do need it down the line.)
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could do that kind of editing with life?
Simply review life and decide, “Um, no. Let’s not do that there. Let’s move that here.” Or… “This event would be much better if I knew this first, then that happened.” Or “Doing it this way will fit much better with my schedule and will accommodate fill-in-the-blank much better then.” Then there’s the “Gracious! Let’s not let that happen at all!”
But as we all know, life doesn’t work that way.
Life simply comes. Sometimes in sputters, sometimes in a gentle flow, and sometimes in torrents. And we deal with things as they come with God’s strength. While, in His masterful grace, He helps us maintain our eternal perspective.
But you know, in the midst of everything––the highs and lows of life, the “troughs and peaks” as C.S. Lewis 
phrases it in The Screwtape Letters––it’s definitely the thinner times of life, the troughs, that draw me closer to God. That make me more dependent on the Holy Spirit. And that, frankly, make me more like Christ.
The Screwtape Letters is a “life book” for me. A forever book. Do you have those? Books you’ll read again and again? That have become a part of you? That you’ll carry with you into eternity?
Chapter 8 is a favorite. Back in college, I memorized most of that chapter (on troughs and peaks), and though my memory isn’t what it used to be (#understatement) the following portion of that chapter is still tucked inside me. Still resonates.
My first copy of this book—held together by a rubber band now—is dear to me. Its words still instruct me after all these years. And more than ever, I firmly believe that nothing happens to a follower of Christ that doesn’t first filter through the loving hands of their Heavenly Father. Nothing.
So, I’ll leave the “life editing” safely with the Master Storyteller. God writes with a point of view I simply do not—cannot—have. But it’s a point of view I trust implicitly—even when life is at its most difficult.
What about you? Do you have “life books” (other than the Bible, of course) that you’ve read and reread?
Blessings on your Tuesday,
Tamera
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Tamera Alexander
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I love Jane Eyre, I read it every year and this year it was my tenth time. I love her strength when faced with the bleakness of the world. I love that she was willing to give up everything that was dear to her, because she knew in God’s eyes it was wrong for her to stay. I love her steadfastness and knowing that even if she was alone in the world, her heavenly Father was still there. Every time I read Jane Eyre I find something new, it never ceases to surprise me.
SO WELL summarized, Katie, and those are my own reasons for loving that book so much. Thanks for sharing today!
My “forever” book is A Christmas Carol. I fell in love with Scrooge at very early age. I have read the book, most years in printed and audio, each Christmas. This story gives me the feeling of Christmas.
What a great reminder for that book, Dora. Especially this time of year. Putting it at the top of Kindle list right now! Bless you, friend.
I have reread the Chronicles of Narnia many times. Love the works of C.S. Lewis. I have not read The Screwtape Letters in a while. Going to pull out my copy, which I also bought while in college, and add it to the top of my to-be-read pile. Thank you for the reminder.
Love the Chronicles of Narnia. Such rich characters. And settings! I hope C.S. Lewis plans to write for eternity. Because I’d love to continue reading him.
For me it is “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Even when I put it away for awhile, when I get it back out and reread it, it is always fresh with insight. My copy was given to me by a wonderful friend in 1993, who hoped it would help me through a difficult period of my life. It was written in the 1950’s but some of those truths are timeless.
I love that one too, Sharon! I had a copy years ago and now have no idea where it went. I’ve put that on my list to read again. Thanks for the nudge! I love how many of these we have in common within our little community here.
Hi…Tamera….I read a daily devotional named MY Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.Who I believe taught at the Bible Training College,Clapham ,London in the very early 1900’s as He passed away in 1917.In the forward it is written Men return again and again to the few who have mastered the spiritual secret,whose life has been hid with Christ in God.These are of the old time religion,hung to the nails of the cross.It is because it is felt that the author is one to whose teaching men will return that this book has been prepared,and it is sent out with the prayer that day by day the messages may continue to bring quickening life and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.I have certainly found it to be so and have received both correction and inspiration from it..
My Utmost for His Highest is one of the devotionals I’ve read through for years, Diana. It truly is a treasure. I love that we have this one in common too. I’ve enjoyed the chance to share our forever books today!