My family took me to the fair when I was four. It was hugely full of smells and colors and sounds. I wanted to see the horses, so I went, oblivious that my people had gone a different direction.
All I could see were shoes and legs.
Being lost is the end of everything when you're four.
Suddenly, a gangly person balanced on the tallest wooden legs I had ever seen was promising to help me find my people.
Perspective.
When you are suddenly lifted on stilts above the four year-old's view of feet and legs, everything feels better.
Perspective is my theme this week.
I was feeling a little lost after news of my novel submission -
several rejections so far, and more submissions and waiting.
I had a glorious pity party: threw cake and popped balloons,
"What makes you think you're cut out to be a writer anyway?"
and other cheerful motivational talks,
when I felt a little tug.
A reminder of November 2009.
Our daughter "Pip" had to have a bundle of tests to search for cancer.
This while also waiting to hear if cutbacks would be affecting my husband's job.
And after tense, heavy weeks of waiting, we had completely beautiful news:
a healthy daughter.
And Mr. Pray got to keep his job.
If I can be thankful for the good things and the great things
I will be lifted on stilts,
to see that even when times are rough,
there are sacred moments to hang on to.
That when the view seems narrow
or small or confusing or wretched,
there is a bigger picture at work.
Bigger hands that can lift us up. That's my hope.
And as far as the rejections go, I will try to remember that this is one tiny keyhole of the big picture.
11 comments:
augh, so sorry you had to go through that kind of turmoil. I never knew about that. Thank goodness for perspective and the calm feeling of contentment it can bring.
Chin up, Faith. Rejections are a part of the journey. At least you're putting your work out there. Barbara Kingsolver once said, "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.”
That helps me when I get low about rejections. But throwing cake sounds like fun too! Thank goodness your loved ones are well. That is always a blessing!
Jasie, you are so right. Perspective and contentment - both very essential!!
Wow Stacy, you have the gift of transforming lemons into that sweet tasty drink! Thank you for the very helpful words!
I love your anecdote about the stilt man. Beautiful vantage point for this post.
Go ahead and throw cake but eat some, too. You've earned it.
Yes, yes, my dear sister. Yes.
Perfect post.
Bless your wonderful family.
Sorry about the slow go on the manuscript- but you're doing what you need to - looking back and see the 'Divine' hand in your life and having 'Faith' about He will take care of the future!!
I have faith too your work will get out there!!
Hi, Faith,
It's really hard to hear a lot of nos. I have this deep ache inside for my sugar spun words to flood out into the world into the world somehow and get a life of their own. I'm supposing that you have something similar swirling inside. If I may encourage, hold in there. A vision is just that, a glimpse of the future. That in vision in you, count on it. Hope. Be excessive.
my deal with the rejections is that each manuscript has a certain number of rejections attached to it, unknown to we writers of course, and each time it comes back it is that much closer to being done its rejecting stage and ready to begin its being chosen phase!
it still sucks when you see those envelopes though...
Your posts are poetry. Yes, perspective. I often think of my life like a kaleidoscope: when the picture gets dull, turn it a little bit - you have all the same components just a fresh interpretation and new beauty to appreciate.
Tricia, I will eat cake! Thank you for the good words!
Julia, thanks for the faith. Your blog always seems to have perfect quotes and images to inspire me.
Molly, I do have that wish to send my birds out into the world! Thank you for those hopeful words!
Jan, what a good view of the process!
Amy, thank for the beautiful analogy. I love it!
Haven't you had a rough November! But I am glad it is over, and everything is fine.
And you are right, it is all a question of perspective. The same puddle that messes up your boots is the one that makes the greatest splash when you jump into it.
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