What’s pulling you down?

Spring has been odd in Indiana this year. We’ll have days of hitting 70 degrees followed by days in the 40s. My flowers are confused as are the trees. My lilac is just about to bloom, and my irises are beginning to hint that blooms might be on the way. It all feels out of order and confused. My spring and summer clothes are packed away still, while my winter clothes and sweaters can’t be put away because Sunday, the temperature didn’t get above 50.

It feels like there is a lot about life that is out of control right now. Or more accurately out of my control. We all want to feel control over our worlds. That we know what’s happening and what the end result will be.

Maybe that’s one reason I like writing.

I have control over my characters and books.

Sort of.

Last week I attended a reader event at Baker Book House in Grand Rapids. One of the panels asked us how our stories come to us. Each author will have a slightly different answer — or very divergent answer.

Mine is it depends on the book. But I do have some control over my story and where it’s going and whether I will go along with it or fight the direction.

The same could be said of my life. I can choose to move or stay in position. To flex or be rigid. But I also have to acknowledge that there is so much outside my control. I don’t have to like it, but I do have to acknowledge it. You may have seen lists that contain two columns: one is filled with items I control and the other with those things I don’t. Where’s the column where I control it all like some Marvel warlord or superhero?

But that type of power is reserved for God alone. Instead, I need to keep my focus on the fact that I can only effect how I respond to situations. Maybe that’s why the quote below is one I’m drawn to. It shifts the focus from the results to being faithful in doing the work.

In addition to The Accused releasing last month (I’m so grateful for all the reviews and readers!), I have a book in the Justice collection that released May 2nd. It’s the third book in a series that I wrote years ago for Love Inspired Suspense. I had so much fun writing the third book that I’d imagined YEARS ago. Be sure to check it out.