When is it Time to Quit?

by Patricia Bradley

Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart…”

In 1998 I attended my first conference, the Florida Christian Fiction Writer’s conference in Titusville, Florida. I had written two novels that I was sure an editor would want. I managed to snag a few requests for a proposal and although deeply disappointed none of them wanted to lug home the 700+ pages I’d brought with me, I was optimistic. 

Did I tell you it was my first conference?

Fast forward through rejections to my next conference in 2000. I was savvy now. I didn’t wait outside the stall door in the bathroom to catch an editor or agent. Nope, I didn’t leave getting my books in front of an editor to chance—I set up as many appointments as the conference allowed and hung around the appointment desk, waiting to snatch up any cancelled appointments.

Fast forward once again through rejections, retreats where I really learned to write, and more conferences where I still hounded the appointments person for more appointments with editors and agents. I had absolutely committed myself to delighting myself in the Lord and I fully expected God to give me my heart’s desire—a publishing contract. 

Then sometime in 2011, I stumbled on Psalm 37:7. “Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act.”

Huh?

A lightbulb moment. God would act when He thought the time was right. From that point on, I turned my journey over to Him and suddenly, the journey was much more fun. I didn’t have to hound agents or publishers. If God intended for me to be published, it would happen. And if He didn’t, well, that was okay, too, because I knew he would have something much better for me. 

So, if there is something your heart desires, ask God is this what He wants for you. He'll let you know. If it is, do all the hard stuff--learn the craft of whatever it is you want to do--and then let Him have the schedule. 

I promise you won't be sorry. I'm working on a proposal now for my 9th book.