I found out this morning that my book, EXPOSED, didn’t get acknowledged for an Eric Hoffer Award in any of its categories. But…
I sewed a button on Seth’s jacket for his Athletic’s Banquet tonight! 😉
Call me crazy but that’s exactly what went through my mind when I completed this simple (to many) but delicate task (to me) this morning. I received the final email that implied it announced the ‘winners’ on the website so I said a little prayer that maybe, even after 3 years of being published, EXPOSED could still get some sort of accolade that might help it continue to be put in front of readers. Alas I looked in every category, even FICTION (just in case they mistook it for fiction, 😉 ), and it was no where to be found. Disheartening? Yes. Of course! We all have dreams and I admit one of mine is to still reach some literary goal of being acknowledged as not just an author but an ‘acclaimed’ author whose words bring hope and renewal to others.
Yes, yes, I know, I am not discounting the one or the many readers over the last three years who have given me the gift of what God has done for them through what He has given me to share. I’m not. But I am human and this ‘itch’ of desire has been imbedded within me for as long as I can remember.
And that’s what it feels like, an itch that can’t be satisfied. It is in the middle of my back where no contortion of my arms and fingertips can reach, pricking just beneath the skin.
With a shiver and a shudder I hopped off the couch and saw the jacket where Seth left it for me to do the impossible task. (I’m NOT a home-maker…my mom to this day does all of our sewing. We wait till she comes in town and she brings her sewing machine with her.) However, the look on Seth’s face was priceless when he asked if I could fix the issue. He loves to look good and stylish. How could I let him down?
Up the stairs I went to retrieve the little sewing basket my mom left behind that contains (and I kid you not) the scissors I received from my 9th grade high school home-making class, the pin cushion and pins, the ruler and a variety of thread and needles from the many ‘sewing kits’ from my world travels. 😉 Among the mix I found black thread and a sewing needle.
No one will see the ‘beauty’ of my work but I do believe my son appreciates the effort and the fact that the mission was accomplished just for him. The itch is gone…for now…I’m human (remember?) I’m sure it’ll creep back but for now I found my satisfaction in showing my son that I would step outside of my comfort zone and do something I know I’m not good at and be satisfied knowing it’s not ‘perfect’ or worthy of ‘accalade’ except from him. And that is good enough.
Are your eyes focused on the ‘prize’ leaving you frustrated and unsettled? Maybe take a stab at looking at the smaller accomplishments in your day and giving yourself a break?
Blessings
Shannon
A few other things:
I’ve had many ask about my thoughts on the three women who have been rescued after 10 years of captivity. The torture they lived through is unfathomable. There is grace in the sisterhood they created and know that from the moment their story broke the news I have been watching and praying. I have not spent a ‘just show up’ moment on it because I was battling my own demons at the time the story broke and since then God’s granted other ‘moments’ to share…and other heartache to address. My prayers are with them as they begin to rest in God’s grace and come to know their families once again…and how to live free. It isn’t easy.
Update on Casey Hughes, there is nothing new to report. He is in the same condition he was on Saturday. They say it might be four to five days before anything more might be known. The father is now with him and the family is together. Keep them in your prayers.