I Choose Joy Over Impatience

When I wrote my very first blog post on July 19 I said, "Along the way, I hope to share some of the challenges I have faced or am facing now and how I am doing at following my own advice to choose joy."  So, in the spirit of honesty and transperancy, I must admit that I am struggling with impatience. 

Hardly a week passes without someone asking me, "When will your book be available?"  I wish I knew the answer to that question.  Last April, when I first found out that it was going to be published, I asked, "How long will it take?"  I was told that it usually takes six to nine months.  (It's been almost five months, so obviously, it will take more than the optimistic six months.)  In June, the publisher contacted me, saying I had two weeks to supply my photo for the back cover.  I was all excited because it felt like it was becoming real.  Then, later that month, I was told that my book would go to editing in August.  As exciting as that news was, it was also a little deflating -- SO WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING OVER THE NEXT SIX WEEKS?  Let's get this thing moving!!!  So, August 1 I was expecting a phone call or an e-mail or SOMETHING telling me about the editing process, and surely by August 15 I was expecting to receive a marked up manuscript full of typos and re-writes.  NOT!  By the end of August, feelings of frustration, disappointment and, yes, impatience were beginning to set in.  On August 23 I received a letter of introduction from my Project Manager.  You might think that was progress, and I suppose it was, but the letter was a form letter and was not specific to my book at all.  It still didn't give me any hint about when to expect the finished project.  Then on September 3 I received an e-mail from my Project Manager, asking me to write a "Promotional Copy" and a bio for the back cover.  Great!  This meant we were making some progress, and it gave me something to do, something to make me feel productive.  I submitted the requested copy right away, not wanting to be the cause of any delays.  Finally, last Wednesday, September 11 I was able to speak to my project manager for the first time.  It was a quick phone call, mostly me answering questions about my book, since my project manager has not read it (sigh!).  I was able to ask about the editing process and how long to expect it to take.  I was assured that the general time frame of two to three months is fairly accurate (sigh, again!) but that we might trim a week or two off if I am quick with my corrections and re-writes (big sigh!).

 

So, I updated my calendar (see the tabs at the top of this page) to reflect the delays, keeping the expected release date marked with question marks.  I also updated the name of this week's blog.  Keeping with my alphabetical format, my "I" blog was going to be about choosing joy intentionally, since sometimes we need to consciously choose to be joyful.  Now I have to admit, that definitely applies to me this week.  I am having to make an effort to choose joy over impatience.

 

I'm so glad that God understands my impatience.  He did not leave us without instructions about how important it is to be patient.  Read the following verses with me.  I hope they encourage you as much as they have me today: 

• Romans 8:24b - 25:  "If we already have something, we don’t need to wait for it.  But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently."  (New Living Translation) 
• I Timothy 6:11, 12a:  "But thou, O man of God,... follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith..." (King James Version)
• Hebrews 10:35-36:  "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (New International Version)
• Hebrews 12:1b-3:  "And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up." (New Living Translation)
• James 1:2 - 4:  "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

If you are letting impatience rob you of joy, I hope this week you will pray with me, just as King David did in Psalm 25:5 -- "Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day." (New King James Version)