Living Psalm 23
“I’m so sorry to say that your book project was not approved by our publishing committee.”
Reading those words in my email a year ago, I was heartbroken. Pitching my book idea to my favorite publisher at a writer’s conference the previous fall, I’d been living the writer’s dream. We’d been in negotiations for three months, right on the precipice of a contract, only to hear the dreaded words no writer wants to hear.
I won’t say that I was devastated, and maybe heartbroken is too strong. But I did need a minute to catch my breath.
In my disappointment, my Shepherd was with me. Before jumping to the next action, He led me to take a week to be still. Laying down in his green pastures, refreshed by his quiet waters, he restored my soul. I was ready to take the next steps on the path of righteousness he had for me.
I’ve learned that when we go through our big and small valleys of the shadow of death, there’s nothing to fear. It’s not the end of the story. At times, when we mistakenly think we’re at the happy ending, there is still more that the Lord needs to write in the middle.
There were roots to deepen, articles and chapters to write, conferences to attend, agents to meet, and pitching to do.
When things got foggy, and I didn’t know what step to take or if I had the strength to continue, I would feel the gentle tap of my Shepherd’s rod and staff guiding me on the right path for his name’s sake. Someone would appear with the perfect word, or a new door would open, or I would see the light in someone’s eyes when I shared the book’s message and would know that He had entrusted me with a unique piece to bring his kingdom to the world, and I must go on.
It’s been a long journey. I started writing the book in January 2021.
It’s good that we don’t know what we are committing to when making our decisions. So many things in life are like that!
Meeting that right guy or gal and talking about marriage, we naively say, “Oh hey, let’s get married, it’ll be fantastic!”
Or having children, “Oh, yes, a baby? Absolutely! They’re adorable!”
Or how about our divine assignments?
Do any of God’s people understand what he is asking when he knocks and says, “There is something I’d like for you to do”? And we respond enthusiastically, “Yes, Lord, send me!”
Did Mary know what she was saying, “Yes” to when the angel appeared to her? Or Paul when the Lord called him to be an apostle to the Gentiles? Peter, James, or John when Jesus called them to come and be his disciples?
Or you and I in our more ordinary assignments?
In God’s divine mercy, he keeps us from knowing how much it will require.
And even if we did, just like marriage or children, we wouldn’t change a thing. We would still give a hearty “Yes!” because even with the sacrifice, there’s nothing to compare with the joy of walking in His will.
I had yet to learn what this book assignment would take.
Last summer, attending a writer’s workshop, I wasn’t actively pitching my proposal but decided to bring copies at the last minute. The publisher my contract had fallen through with was offering 15-minute Zoom appointments. Giving ample time for others who hadn’t met with her before to sign up, there was still an open slot when I strolled past the clipboard. Not knowing what I would say, I thought, “What the heck? Just go in and give her an update. What could it hurt?”
She was glad to see me and asked if I was pitching. When I told her “No,” she said, “Lori, if there are other publishers you want to pitch to, don’t wait until your book or Journey with a Giant small group is done. Do it now.”
The Lord used her words.
I went home, blew off my dusty proposal, and sent it out for editing. I pitched to see if I could get an agent and got ready to give it my best shot. Not knowing how it would work out, I felt the Lord prompting me to get the book into a publisher’s hands in 2024.
In August, the Lord gave me the perfect agent. In September, she started sending out the proposal.
On November 15, a blessed email arrived with the words every writer longs to hear, “This letter is to confirm our intent to offer a publishing contract…”
WOO-HOOO!!!!
Last January, hearing, “I’m so sorry to say,” the Lord’s path of righteousness didn’t seem good. When I didn’t think there could be a publisher more perfectly suited, I was wrong.
During negotiations, after a Zoom call with my soon-to-be publisher’s acquisitions team, I sat awestruck in my chair. With the past three years cascading through my mind, I closed my eyes and shook my head, amazed at the goodness of God and his perfect path.
Anointing my head with oil, my cup was overflowing. The Lord opened a door beyond what I could have asked or hoped.
It took almost two months for all the negotiations. Then, on January 5th, 2024, my agent called. The final contract had arrived! She, Bryan, and I met that night to sign and celebrate!
I know that not every part of our life story has a fairy tale ending. Regardless of whether a publishing contract came or not,
I know that when the last page of our lives is written, each of us with this great God as our Shepherd will look back and exclaim, “Surely his goodness and love followed me all the days of my life.”
Enjoying this sweet moment, this story is living proof.
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How about you? When have you been awestruck by our Great Shepherd’s love or goodness?
~Lori