A peek under the hood – almost there!

IMG_0583
The place I’m learning to practice faithfulness….

 

The home stretch is here, dear friends! In less than two weeks, my book manuscript is due with Chalice Press! I’ve sorely missed my prayers here in this space – and my correspondence with you. But I hope to return soon.

Here is a photo of my mess desk where I’m surrounded by books, journals, and beauty out the window. I don’t always work here, but it’s a good place to squirrel away when I can.

The book writing process has not been what I envisioned  years ago when I dreamt of writing one. I don’t have hours strung together to sit down and find inspiration. Most of this book has come together in thirty-minute increments. Times when both the kids are asleep or pacified (which is becoming more and more rare). I am learning to simply keep my journal open on the counter to jot down a thought here or there when I’m in the flurry of other things. I am seeing that small scraps of time can equal enough.

I remember Tsh Oxenreider lifting up the power of “partial solutions” – this truth that we don’t (and many times can’t) get our ideal, but we can work with what we have. And many times, what we creatively compose through compromise ends up being not only enough, but beautiful.

I didn’t anticipate that the season in which I’d have a book contract, I’d have two young children, another house move, and a lot of personal upheaval, but this is where God calls and moves, my friends – in the midst of life happening in all the unexpected ways it always does.

So we learn how to grab onto the grace of what we have and to be faithful with it. We learn to be content with knowing and having what we do right now. A mantra I have been repeating to myself many months now is, “Faithfulness here…faithfulness here…

I will be back in touch, and Ash and Starlight: Prayers for the Pilgrimage will hopefully be to you next summer. I will keep you posted in the editing and publishing process. Thank you for all of your encouragement and support – a form of holy manna that’s kept me fed.

And for now, faithfulness here.

11 Comments

  1. Faith along the Pilgrimage – thank you for sharing, Arianne, and may you continue to be surprised
    with “enough” along the way!
    Prayerful blessings……….

  2. Adrianne
    Yeah, you go Girl! Ambition, inspiration and great Faith has taken you so far, now to reap the rewards! Cannot wait.
    Sending love and many blessings to all of the family!
    Marianne

  3. I’m so proud of you! Tom is smiling upon you and Tacey is brimming with joy!!!! You are a great writer, Arianne, I’m looking forward to reading your book someday!
    Lois

    1. Bless you, Lois! This means so much coming from you – a beautiful writer!! And thank you so much for what you’ve said about my parents. It means more than I can say. Love and prayers for you and Jeff, Lois!

  4. So glad you are able to carve out the needed hours to nurture your passion and gifts. I am so looking forward to reading it as soon as it is birthed.

  5. Could we talk sometime? I don’t know what the best time for you to do that. Give me some times….or just call me when it’s convenient for you. Love, Beth

    On Fri, Oct 19, 2018 at 2:30 PM Ash and Starlight wrote:

    > ariannelehn posted: ” The home stretch is here, dear friends! In less > than two weeks, my book manuscript is due with Chalice Press! I’ve sorely > missed my prayers here in this space – and my correspondence with you. But > I hope to return soon. Here is a photo of my me” >

Comments are closed.