Wow. Those are definitely some apt words. We have pared down our *stuff* and will continue to do so, yet not quite in the way or for the reasons I had in mind.
I recently posted a facebook status that read: "All the chapters of a book are not the same length. And it's no accident when that happens. It's meant to be."
An excellent author makes a plan before writing a novel. They know the goal, the resolution to the problem, they know how the main characters will handle the problems and ultimately triumph or succeed. They know that when this horrible awful terrible thing happens to the main character or characters...that it will only last half of a chapter and then life will be amazing and all will be forgotten.
We also know when all is looking great and perfect and everyone is happy around page 20, that well....there's way too much of the book left for *that* to last....wouldn't that be an incredibly boring book? Just happy stuff every day....it would be easy for readers and the author to become detached and impersonal just reading boring nothingness for page upon page upon page......
I've read books where the characters are richly and deeply developed. The mundane and day to day happenings in the characters lives are described. The author really gets to know them by exploring the many ways the character would respond to different scenarios and the just life stuff that occurs. My heart would break for them as they experience heartache and sometimes I could even predict how they would respond to another person in the story or situation. I've also read books where there was mostly story and not much getting to know the characters. Those books don't get much empathy from me, I have little interest in what happens to them.
When an author truly gets to know the characters.......when he can meticulously make all the little unnoticeable details come together, the result is a fascinating person. A person that is alive and changes and completely lives out the plot, good or bad. It weaves together to create a beautiful piece of art that will then have the ability to affect others. Those who notice, who pick up a read that piece of art will see the author's message speaking through the characters and through the intricate story that was no accident in the making. Every scene change, every dialogue, every thought shared and insight given. Each tragedy and joy, every mundane detail is essential in sharing a complete and finished piece of literature.
And since I know the author of my book "knows the plans He has for me, "plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future." then I just have to live in constant faith that my book is not a tragedy.
In spite of what someone told me once...that "another person's broken arm doesn't make my stubbed toe hurt any less,"...I have to maintain perspective and realize that when you finish reading something truly life changing. the sad and depressing chapters seem a lot shorter in hindsight and especially when compared to the amazing sum of life experiences.
It has been way too long since I posted and I know that's a cliche thing to say. It just so happens that I finally got a new keyboard which I've hooked up to the laptop and I can type again! yay! The final count on my old key board was 13 keys gone. Q, F, V, B, N, M. <. both ctrl keys, and another one that was a window key or something. I really got behind on lots of things without having my computer. But it's okay, I've had plenty to keep me busy in the meantime.
Our family is in another time of transition. We are eager to know what we are going to be doing next, but in the meantime we will....what else but keep busy?
The verse I was given last year comes to mind:
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Deut. 30:15-16 NIV
It has been way too long since I posted and I know that's a cliche thing to say. It just so happens that I finally got a new keyboard which I've hooked up to the laptop and I can type again! yay! The final count on my old key board was 13 keys gone. Q, F, V, B, N, M. <. both ctrl keys, and another one that was a window key or something. I really got behind on lots of things without having my computer. But it's okay, I've had plenty to keep me busy in the meantime.
Our family is in another time of transition. We are eager to know what we are going to be doing next, but in the meantime we will....what else but keep busy?
The verse I was given last year comes to mind:
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Deut. 30:15-16 NIV
Doing our very best to live this out and praying for direction!
2 comments:
Just wanted to say that I love you, and that I am so glad I get to be a part of your story. I am very eager to see what the next chapter brings - I KNOW that He has plans that will continue to make your story breathtaking.
Just wanted to say that I love you, and that I am so glad I get to be a part of your story. I am very eager to see what the next chapter brings - I KNOW that He has plans that will continue to make your story breathtaking.
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