Are You the Snoopy Dance Type or Tears of Joy Kind of Person?

Please forgive me for this very long post, but I must make it last. You'll see why.

I just discovered that I'm the Tears of Joy type.

The first phone call that came to me today was a cancellation for my 2:00 manicure appointment. I had planned to go to my nieces wedding with a beautiful french manicure. But not to be, I guess. I can handle that, I thought with a nudge of disappointment. I still have my flowing brown dress to wear at least.

Then my hubby phoned me just to say hi. He's such a thoughtful man.

Then I took a quick jaunt to the Church to put notices in several mailboxes for the Christian Ed. & Nurture team since I'll be in St. Catharines due to the wedding all weekend. After leaving our wonderful admin. assistant with a double double from Tim Hortons, I headed into town to pick up a Sympathy card for my pastor and her family, as her mother-in-law passed away suddenly last weekend and the visitation that hubby and I will be attending is this evening. I've been lifting prayers all week for this family.

In amongst all that, I was torturing myself the whole time, questioning how God calls me to write when I find it so painstakingly difficult to do these days. Nothing, and I mean nothing I put into my stories ever seems good enough lately. I found myself doubting the strength to keep doing what I know I'm called to do despite all the hardship it puts on me. My strength to persevere, to keep on going on has been at an infectious low lately. Again, I sigh, and tell myself not to think this way, just keep keeping on, Eileen, for Him.

Then I return home to a flashing two on my answering machine. The first is my lovely youngest sister all excited about the flower arrangements she's making for the wedding tomorrow. Jillian does beautiful work, so I know she has reason to be proud. Pooh on her computer, though, it's acting up so she can't send me pictures like we'd both like her to do.

I let the machine go to the next message, thinking I'll call Jillian right after listening to this one. A man's voice greets me. I'm quickly discovering that this man's voice is the next best voice to my own dear hubby's, God's aside, of course. Can you guess my news?

He announces himself as Jim Rubart (hope that's how you spell it), a Genesis Coordinator, and proceeds to tell me I'm a finalist. Then he gives pause with permission for a Snoopy Dance. What do I do instead?

I cried! TEARS OF JOY!

I think I'm finally feeling like I'm truly progressing in this very difficult writing journey. Praise be to God for shining this little light to guide me to keep on keeping on with this journey. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a boost just when I needed it.

And, yes, after trying to get hold of my dear hubby, I did call my sister back, and even waited to share my news until she was done sharing hers.

And I want to send out a special thank you to Kaye Dacus for her fabulous editing of this piece. I know God used her expertise to help me achieve this honor of finalling. Bless you, Kaye! And, of course, a Huge thank you needs to be sent to the dear Pearl Girls, my critique group, for helping me get it to the point of being ready for an editor like Kaye to work with. Thank You!

May God guide me in yet another round of revisions before I send it back off for the final round judges. My only goal in all of this is to please Him. May I not fail!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen