I’ve always had a balance issue with
presentations, readings and book launches. On one hand, it’s exciting,
exhilarating, to have a book to present, read, launch. When I’ve worked for
months and years to produce a story, the resulting book is a great reward. I
think it’s fine to feel good about our work.
On the other hand, it’s not about me. My
writing is a product of the call God has placed on my life. He has asked me to
share His love and His word with others through my fiction. The joy I gain from
this is rewarding, but again: it’s not about me.
I was reminded of this fact the other day
when paging through photos or some of my earlier book events. I was pictured
across the table from a woman who had attended a presentation, and we seemed to
be deep in discussion. About writing? About books? About my book? None of the
aforementioned. We were discussing…no, scratch that…I was listening to her tell me
about her life. Nothing to do with my writing or any writing, but about the
hardships she had faced.
It can be difficult to switch gears from
being the “main event” to being a listener, but it’s a requirement of our
calling. When I think back, I realize this woman needed someone to listen to
her. God placed me there for that purpose. It wasn’t difficult, but it was
humbling. She needed my ear, not my words.
Thanks Janice, always good to receive such wisdom. I especially find this difficult with my sons. Just listen and slow down the desire to infuse them with knowledge and wisdom.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ian, I know what you're saying. Enjoy the time with your sons b/c it goes by in a flash.
DeleteI related easily to your post, Janice, as, quite often when I speak, someone will come up to me later at my book table and just want to talk about something that is worrying them or something not very closely related to my books or even what I have said. Yet God seems to have arranged this connection. So I have had to learn to relax and just go with it and be there for that person--yet also keep an eye out for any customers who might need help at my table! That's one of the reasons I sometimes take someone else with me to larger events so they can deal with any customers while I talk to people.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Jo-Anne, taking someone else along to help with sales and those other "secondary" issues!
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