More Than Satisfied

We were trying to get some work done, my husband and I. It was evening, the end of a long day, and we sat on the couch with our laptops
open. In an attempt to create a quiet space in which to concentrate, we told our energetic kids to settle in with some books.

Jackson, 10, took forever to arrange himself in front of the fire with floor pillows and throw blanket and dog. But finally he quieted—and within minutes was snoozing, the book he was supposed to be reading splayed across his
chest.

Meanwhile, Madeline, 8, nestled herself in the big armchair with a chapter book and started reading at page one. Except to get up to fetch an apple, she was quiet and still…absorbed. An hour later, she closed her book. “I’m finished.” She stretched and came over to me. “I feel satisfied right after I finish reading a long book.”

I hugged her—couldn’t help myself. She is a girl after my own heart! I love that she’s discovered—at such a young age!—the pleasure of losing oneself in a good story. I love knowing that a lifetime of discovery and connection awaits her.

All of which makes me feel more than satisfied. It makes me downright happy.

My Calling

Everyone has a story to tell.

As a writer, that’s the mantra I live by. I got my start by writing true stories—teaching memoir-writing at the local community college and freelancing to magazines. Then I found myself listening to the whispered stories of imaginary characters, which led me into novel-writing as I realized that these stories held no less value for the fact that they sprang from my imagination. Now I write both—true stories (memoirs) and fiction (novels).

All of which leads me to profess two things I love about Jesus. One, He told stories. He recognized their transforming power—the way they bypass the intellect and sneak instead through the backdoor to the soul. Two, I love that He made us in His image to carry on His creative work. He calls us to do it.

It's my calling. Is it yours too? If so, what are you going to do about it?

Share your thoughts in a comment, and I’ll enter you in a drawing to win $50-worth of professional editing or consulting services—which you can keep for yourself or give to someone you love, whose story needs to be told. (U.S. residents only, please.)