Wednesday 27 March 2013

That Sad Old 'RE' Word




I’d been through 6 weeks of it and managed very well, even if I say so myself. Six weeks spent mostly in bed, unable to do much except RE-lax, RE-ad and be RE-stored. I see you’ve been smart enough to notice there were three words starting with the letters ‘RE” in the previous sentence! You are very observant. I would even guess that you are a Writer. Am I right?

RE-laxing was great! RE-ading was wonderful! Being RE-stored was brilliant! I was deeply content. But then ….came one little hitch. Another ‘RE’ word came into my line of vision. That ‘RE’ word was not as RE-freshing or RE-storative as the other ‘RE’ words. Any guesses as to what it was? It’s one most of us writers are well versed in, having experienced it time and time again.

Yes, the word is RE-jection. Ah! Does it ring any bells?

After the Euphoria of my wonderfully RE-laxing 6 weeks came a week of RE-jection. My book, my baby, my life… was tossed out like a precious, beautifully wrapped gift that was thrown away even before it was opened. My latest book, one I’d worked very hard on for months on end – burning the midnight oil – hoping it would win a competition – didn’t make it after all. I had been sure that God had use of it out there in the big wide world. But – no – there was one winner and that winner wasn’t me!

REJECTION! In my book, RE-jection often equals DEJECTION! It makes me place my tail between my legs and slink away into a corner to brood deeply and to shed a few tears. I confess that I’ve had a number of rejections as a writer. Every single time it hurt. Ouch! Each time it felt like the end of the world – well not quite the end of the world…. .but you know what I am talking about, don’t you?

Over the past few weeks, I have been looking at that ‘RE’ word a bit more closely. And I found something interesting. Viewed through God’s eyes it looks a bit different. It is not painted in dark black letters anymore. Instead, it’s like a prism - displaying to my heart a myriad beautiful colours. Because of course, everything through God lenses are much much much brighter. And so much more beautiful.

Firstly, the RE-jection of my books is not about me. It feels it is. But isn’t. It is about my writing. And I can do something about that. I can strive to improve. Secondly, if God is leading me on – this RE-jection I face is part of His plan for me. If being in God’s will is the most important thing in my life, (and I believe it is) then – even a RE-jection can be viewed differently. Not a sad occurrence after all. But one that together with all else, works things out for my good.

Thirdly, every RE-jection teaches me something new. It helps me RE-focus. My latest RE-jection helped me RE-think my plans for 2013. I am now excited about the change of plans and the direction this year’s sun-dial is pointing.

Finally and most importantly – any guesses as to who faced the biggest rejection of all? Yes, of course! Jesus Himself. As we celebrate the most important event in the Christian calendar this week, we cannot help but be amazed at His sacrifice for us. He came to His own and His own received Him not. He came to share God’s love and what did we do? We hung Him on a cross.

If his RE-jection and death ended in an amazing RE-surrection, bringing RE-newal and RE-storation of all things – perhaps there is a lesson you and I can learn? Perhaps RE-jection is not such a sad little word at all?

Perhaps it will bring me hope, humility and the best way forward?

Here’s wishing all of us writers only the good kinds of ‘RE’ words. Words like RE-newal, RE-storation, RE-building, RE-st and RE-laxation! Words like the RE-jections that He plans for our lives – so we might be truly RE-juvenated! We could perhaps Re-word that RE-jection so both our Writing and our Lives RE-bound to the glory of our RE-deemer!



Anusha delights in many things – life, the love of Jesus, people, the beauty of God’s Creation. She writes mostly for pleasure. Her first book 'Enjoying the Journey' is a book of 75 God thoughts and lessons learnt through every day life. She has decided never to grow old in spite of a body that is already defying her intentions! She enjoys the finer things of life including friendship and chocolate!

Singing, walking, connecting with people and sharing God’s love are her some of her deepest passions. Like her writing, she is a work in progress! Please drop in to say Hello to her at her website Dancing in the Rain at http://anusha-atukorala.webnode.com/


21 comments:

  1. Thanks for this great message, Anusha! I'd love to hear about your change of plans.

    Confession - I'm going to be compelled to play with RE words today :)

    You have RElinquished control, faced REjection bravely and having come to terms with REality perhaps you will REsubmit your work with REnewed purpose. When you finally see the outcome the Lord intended, you will be REassured that He knows the end from the beginning.

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    1. Thanks Butterfly - sorry I don't believe I know you? Thanks so much for your encouraging words. Loved your playing around with RE words. I didn't realise there were so many of them till I wrote this blog. English is certainly a RE-markable language is it not?

      My change of plans? Thanks for asking. Well - after 23 years of volunteering and doing small Internet based jobs from home (and writing during the past 6 years), I am about to plunge into part time paid work at my church as Director of 'CareLink" - CareLink being the Community Arm of the church. It's exciting!

      What I felt God tell me through this apparent failure was that I needed to place my writing in a different 'place' for the present. If I'd won - I'd have continued writing competitively this year too. I'd already made many plans for doing so. But I know that there would be too much stress if I tried to pour myself into both my writing and my job.

      I find God asking me to step back from competitive writing. To pour myself into blessing my world through CareLink. Not that Writing will go very far from me. It's in my blood and what I most want to/like to do. But I need to write at a slower pace. Find publishers for the 5 books that need a home. Pour myself into the people that need me. Write as God leads me but without too many deadlines.

      One day later on, Writing will take top priority again. Now, it has got to take a backseat at times (when needed) or go side by side with my job. Does that make sense? If I had my way - Writing would claim most of my time. But I feel God saying otherwise - and I know I am wise to heed His call. Later - I have no doubt He will bring it back as my number 1 calling in life.

      Thanks so much for that play with the RE words.I will note it in my 'Listening to God journal' and be encouraged by it many times over. So a big THANK YOU! :)

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    2. Hi Anusha

      Thanks for sharing your plans for the year. I'm sure God will bless you as you focus on some different things this year and he'll lead each of your books to the right home. Sometimes writing non-competitively can lead to better results too as it frees us up from deadlines and added pressure. Will be interested to hear all your stories of what God does through you this year.

      Love Nola

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    3. Hi Nola,
      Thanks so much for taking the time to read through that long rigmarole! :) And thanks heaps for your encouraging words. You are spot on in your comments about writing non competitively often bringing better results. I think the reason it often it helps me is that I am forced to write to deadlines. But - yes, you are right about that.

      Many thanks for that hand up to keep going forwards.
      Blessings and thanks,
      love
      Anusha

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  2. Re-work; Re-apply; Re-spond; Re-ap! :)

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    1. Sounds good Meredith! Thank you. Will RE-do and heed your wise words! :)

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  3. Awesome word Anusha. Thanks. :)

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    1. Thanks Amanda. Appreciate your encouragement. :)

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  4. Hi Anusha

    I'm sorry to hear that your book didn't win that competition, but I'm sure you'll find a home for it. Maybe it just needs a bit of RE-framing as in the following quote from Barbara Kingsolver:

    “This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don't consider it rejected. Consider that you've addressed it "to the editor who can appreciate my work" and it has simply come back stamped "not at this address." Just keep looking for the right address.”

    Take care


    Love Nola

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    1. Thanks so much Nola. And thanks for that awesome quote. I will definitely take note of it and will keep looking for the write address.

      Bless you! :)

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  5. Hi Anusha

    Very timely to think of the rejection Christ faced for us - just 2 days before Good Friday - and the reminder that in God's plan rejection becomes resurrection. If he takes us through the valley of the shadow of death - He never, never leaves us there.

    Maybe we are not truly writers until we have at least a few (or more) rejection letters - as many of "the greats" can attest. I love Nola's quote :) So maybe not so much Re-jected as RE-tried and Re-directed.

    Jenny

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    1. Thanks so much Jenny. I like your words 'RE-tried' and 'Re-directed'. You are absolutely right. Am sure our rejections do make us better writers and also RE-fine our characters. I am thankful for my many failures (in every sphere of life) which has made me realise my frailties, depend on God more and not take anything for granted and also teach me the needed aspect in a writer's life of perseverance,

      Thanks for your encouragement. :)

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  6. I am especially delighted you've decided not to retire, Anusha. See, the lord already had other plans...for the present.

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  7. Thanks Rita. Yes, God always has different plans to mine I've discovered and it bodes me well to go along with His plans since they are always GLORIOUS! Thank you! :)

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  8. Lovely Anusha. Just the kind of encouragement we need. I'll remember this post when I start submitting part way through this year!

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    1. Thanks Catherine. Hope it blesses you in the future - on second thoughts - hope you never get a rejection! :)

      Blessings,
      Anusha

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  9. Some wonderful words of encouragement from everyone, Anusha.

    Just thought I'd add that the bestselling authors have mostly been rejected and many times. How many times did JK Rowling get rejected before Harry Potter found a home? Many & many...

    Meredith sums up well...And re-linquish the loss to the Lord & let Him re-store so it doesn't fester..

    Blessings...Ian

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    1. Thanks Ian. The reason I wrote the blog was because God had already encouraged me heaps when I went to Him with it. Every part of His plans for me are good - as I discover over and over again. Even the rejections!

      Thanks for the reminder that many of the good writers have been rejected heaps. Very true. It does give me hope.

      For now - have been using my book and parts of it to help friends through tough times and having God use it in their lives has been awesome. So I am very content and will continue to continue! :)
      Blessings,
      Anusha

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  10. RE-joicing with you Anusha. A rejection made way for an open door. Looking forward to hearing what He does. There will be lots of fodder for writing in that position. Blessings

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    1. Thanks for rejoicing with me Jo. God's ways are always good, aren't they?

      Thanks so much for your words of encouragement and yes, no doubt there will be fresh fodder for my writing through my new job. Very exciting!

      Happy Easter! Jo :)

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