Living by Distraction

I'm currently reading Living the Lord's Prayer by David Timms and came across this passage today:

Perhaps the central challenge of our day is not to find time for Christ but to find the courage to stop for Him. Contrary to popular claims, the distractions of our lives do not emerge from the world. We create them and empower them. We choose to carry the cell phone, turn on the computer, load up the iPod, work early and late, and arrange "business lunches." Our schedules, despite our complaints of "a life out of control," remain largely under our control. We make choices every hour.

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!!

Especially in light of my post last week. I tell ya, be careful when you ask the Maker of Heaven and Earth to point out areas in your life where you need major help. And yet I'm so grateful that He loves me enough to do just that.

I remember when writing From a Distance, my prayer was patterned after II Samuel 24:24, "Lord, I don't want to offer you something that costs me nothing." And good grief, it nearly killed me to write that book! Numerous times, I almost called my wonderful editor, Karen Schurrer, to tell her, "Never mind. Elizabeth and Daniel are hangin' it up. And so am I." LOL! But I kept on, and I'm so glad I did. Because I learned a lot about myself through writing that story. 

I've learned that dreams (our plans for our lives) don't always turn out like we thought they would. This past year has been a wonderful year for me in many ways. Last summer, Revealed won the 2007 RITA for Best Inspirational Romance. Then Remembered recently won the 2008 Christy for Best Romance. And you know what? I'm grateful and honored, and so appreciative. But I've been reminded--yet again in my life--that success (however it's measured) doesn't correlate to personal fulfillment. It can't. It was never intended to. Personal fulfillment can be found only in Christ.

And part of experiencing that fulfillment in Him comes by spending more time in His presence. Alone. Attentive. Silent. Listening. By the gracious generosity of some new friends, I'm headed away for the next few days to write but also to spend time alone with Him. No internet. No email. No TV. Only me, a cabin, a lake, and the Trinity. Though life is good, this soul is thirsty and eager to be filled again.

I'll take some pictures while there and share them next week. And if you think of it, I'd appreciate your prayers for me to be able to s l o w  d o w n enough to hear His voice, and then for the courage to act on however He leads.

~Tamera

P.S. And so as not to end on too serious a note , check out a little video of Jack that I posted on my blog last night. It's him with his favorite toy! :)