A New Chapter…in the Book of Life

So, I’ve been reviewing my editors notes on my latest book. I’m horrible at grammar, which some of you can probably tell through my blogposts. So, I welcome that keen eye to point out my weaknesses to make my story better.

Last night as I was editing, I came to a chapter that resolved itself too neatly.

When I was originally writing the story I thought about a twist at that moment, but none seemed possible. I don’t put twists in my books just for the sake of an “aha” moment. Each one is thought out and examined for the believability factor because I have watched too many movies or read a few books where I almost put it down because it wasn’t realistic.

So last night that chapter hit me.

I knew I needed to fix it somehow. And somehow I saw the twist unfold before my eyes.

I started typing the events that I wanted, but then it didn’t flow to the next chapter anymore.

So I had to rework it.

I continued editing and got to a point where I needed to add a new chapter to allow the story to unfold like it needed to be.

It would have been easier to not change the story. It would have been quicker to continue with my editing and ignore that twinge in my gut saying something is missing. It would have still been a good story without this additional chapter.

But it wouldn’t have been the story I wanted to tell.

Sometimes in life, new chapters are added midstream, midclimb, midhustle. It may seem like a detour you didn’t want to take, but sometimes the detours are needed.

Needed to slowdown.

Needed to see a new perspective or landscape.

Needed to encompass your full potential.

Are new chapters fun to experience in life? Not always. There are some that may be welcomed, but most of the time, new chapter involve added work. Added stress. Added deadlines. Added duties.

And when your book of life is already full to the edges you may wonder how you would add that new chapter to your already full schedule.

Just because something is doable, doesn’t make it easier.

Brain surgery is doable, but it definitely isn’t easy. Neither is rocket science, biochemistry, civil engineering. But they are all doable after years of training, education and practice.

It seems life is like that. With practice it doesn’t make it easy, but it makes it doable.

So, are you at an intersection of your life?

Are you seeing a new chapter that needs to be written, but are fearful in picking up that pen.

So don’t choose a permanent pen. Try a pencil, so if you make a mistake, you can erase it. And then try again.

Life is all about trial and error. And maybe a few successes occasionally to encourage us along life’s journey.

So, are you feeling that pull to insert something new into your book? When you look at your life is there something you may regret when you get older for not trying it now?

So why not try it now?

Regrets on deathbeds seem like a terrible haunting feeling.

But what if you have no regrets?

What if you have no secret reservations?

What if you just face it now?

You may find out that it wasn’t meant to be. But isn’t it better knowing than wondering?

You may find out that you can do it! Isn’t that better than pondering?

You may find out that your dream was always within your grasp. You just weren’t looking in the right direction.

Added chapters are sometimes a hassle. But life is going to be so much better because of it.

So, what’s your next move?

I think it’s time to proverbially pick up that pencil, scribble that idea, and see where it takes you.

Some of life’s greatest journeys start out with a step of blind faith.

If you trust the process, you can trust the One who will stay with you through it. And He will be encouraging you to keep going. He will be cheering you on to not give up. He will be singing over you with words of hope. He will be sheltering and embracing you all the way.

But mostly He will be with you through it all.

And isn’t that worth the added chapter for no other reason than writing it with Him?

Peace