Where I'd Rather Be

As many of you are probably aware, this past weekend was the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) annual conference in Dallas, Texas. Some of you were even able to go. And I have to admit to moments of envy. As my Facebook feed filled with photos and updates from the conference, as the wonderful writers of my critique group met in person for the first time, as I heard about contacts being made with my dream publishers and agents... Yep, I wanted to be there.

It didn't help recalling how one of my close friends recently signed her first contract with a publisher right after a writer's conference she attended. Or the fact that some of the agents I would love to target have a "only if we met at conference" policy.

*Sigh* It's probably just what my writing career needs at this point.

And yet I'm glad I couldn't go! Because if I could have gone, it probably would have been because I didn't have a baby at home needing me...and I wouldn't give that up even for a four book contract with Bethany house!

The Lord has a plan for my life, my family and for my writing.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven"

Wonderfully complex seasons ebb and flow as we travel through life. How important it is to trust in the Lord's plan for our lives and seek His guidance, so that as we pass through this mortal existence we will enjoy the treasures that He has prepared for us. A baby's smile, the laughter of children, the conversation of good friends and family, watching His truth touch the lives of others...or seeing our words in print. ;)

So whether it be family, finances, or health that keep you from places you would go, and things you would do "if only"... Remember to find joy in the journey and trust in the Lord's plan for your life.

For me, though a part of me would have loved to go to the ACFW conference and have all the time in the world to write and pursue that career, I am home raising my three precious children and even planning a fourth in a couple years, and there is nowhere I'd rather be!

Of course, next year's conference might be a possibility. ;)

Angela K Couch is a member of ACFW and a semi-finalist in 2015’s Genesis contest. In 2014 she was a finalist of the “Storming the Short Story” contest, and in 2015 her short stories won the romance category of the same, and won the ACFW Virginia Chapter short story contest. The anthology A Kiss is Still a Kiss holds her story “Shackled” now available for preorder. Angela lives in Alberta, Canada with her “hero” and three munchkins. Visit her at www.angelakcouch.com, or follow on Twitter or Facebook!