The Crossroad

We are all homeless

Standing with our signs

Wondering which way to go

Lost at the crossroads of life.

A wish burns deep within me

For a fountain, clear and cold

But one small drink of water

Does not quench a thirst so bold.

To eat should delight my stagnant tongue

But there is no rescue for this delirious ache

Whether a crumb or a banquet spread for me

It’s not enough a fill to make.

A shadow of sorrow fills my soul

Suffering tears at my weak heart

To transcend would be a sweet release

But I cry as life’s venom makes hope and me far apart.

Needless crimes committed against others

In a spacious closet locked away

No act of forgetting will enter my hiding place

So no humble forgiveness from my lips will I say.

Where then do I go from here?

Are there choices yet to make?

Yearning for answers I strain to listen

As at the crossroads I struggle with which road to take.

Suddenly, I notice on the rough and rocky road

There is another with a sign

He’s fixed upon a crossroad of wood

And at the junction tender eyes I find.

He is Jesus, Son of God, there to behold

Who came to earth as a babe in a stall

Lived a human life as our model

Then was crucified for all.

He alone is truth and life

And the healer of all pain

He quenches and fills us with love

And tests us until He comes again.

So when you’re at the crossroads of life

Don’t let thirst and sorrow despair

For Jesus lived and died to prove

That in every situation, He would be there.

by Paula Mowery

When do you become a writer?
When I received my contract for THE BLESSING SEER the first line identified me as "the author." I squealed. Finally, I was a true writer. Thinking back, I was wrong. I was a writer long before that. I was even a writer before I had two articles appear in a national magazine.
I became a writer when I put my pencil to that first spiral notebook and penned my first novel, an historical fiction. That novel is stacked with fifteen others in a file under my desk.
So often I feel I need the validation of an editor or publisher to assure me that I am truly an author. Not true. I became a writer when God inspired those first words. I became a writer when God continued to teach me through the stories He has written through me. I became a writer when I obeyed the calling God placed upon me. If God calls me one of His authors, then I'm a writer.
Now comes the part where I live up to the calling. I not only sit and write, but I hone the craft by taking courses, reading books, and learning from other writers.
Jerry Jenkins says, "Study, do the research, develop a thick skin, work hard, learn to take editing, and learn to edit yourself. Have you arrived yet? Neither have I."
This reminds me of growing as a Christian. Have I perfected my Christian walk? No. That won't happen until I'm in Heaven. But, I am still a Christian.
Will there be a time that I "arrive" as a writer? No. There's always more to learn and improvement to be made. But, I'm still a writer.

"I want it! I don't want to go!" wailed the toddler as she lay in the middle of the mall walkway, arms and legs flailing. Her mother knelt beside her trying to get the child under control. The father tried to look as if he didn't know them by standing a few feet away. That's when the mother, through gritted teeth, said, "Do you want to help me here?"
I, being a sympathetic bystander, felt this was a stupid question. My first reaction would be: "No, I really don't want to help you. That's why I'm standing way over here." Actually, that father knew what this question really meant: "You better get over here fast!"
How many stupid questions we hear everyday.
As a teacher, my favorite has to be the student who asks, "Do we have to do this?" To which I want to reply: "No, I just lectured for forty-five minutes and wrote the assignment on the board for myself."
Another stupid question that cracks me up is when someone gets choked on some food in a restaurant. As the person is coughing and sputtering someone invariably asks: "Are you all right?" Give me a break! The person can't even answer because of coughing uncontrollably.
How about that moment when a husband and wife are disagreeing loudly. After several moments of voicing their opinions, the husband folds his arms and clams up. This prompts the wife to ask, "Are you upset?" Well, duh!
Notice that with all of these stupid questions, the answer was already known. Why do we ask questions if we already know the answers? Sometimes I feel we do this because we don't know what to say.
I fear I often react the same way when confronted with a test to my faith. Let a trial appear, and I am asking: "Why me? Why is this happening? Is God not listening?" Those are really stupid questions because I know the answers. God allows me to be tested to build my character so I can be more like Christ and thus a stronger witness. He made it clear that He "would never leave me nor forsake me."
When faced with trials or tests, I shouldn't ask, "Why?" I should ask, "God, will you lead and guide me through so I can see the good that You plan to bring?"

A simple flower is talking to a nearby bloom:
"You know, I'm not real excited about this new neighborhood. I believe I chose the wrong garden class. I mean, did you see that neighbor, Rosie? How does she get those lovely petals? Maybe I need to check her organic diet. That might perk my bloom. Well, now, tell me the truth, do these leaves make me look fat? I guess is I had her upbringing, her angle on the sunlight, and rain showers, I would look like that too."
Silly, right? But, if flowers were like us, that's what they would act like. Admit it. We should be more like the flowers. I didn't come up with this concept. Check out Matthew 6:25-34. This scripture tells us not to worry about what we eat or drink or wear. We are to look at the lilies of the field as an example. They don't worry about anything. We are to follow this example and trust that God will take care of us if we seek Him and His kingdom.
Flowers don't have a rosy life. They have to endure storms, winds, drought, and lots more. Sometimes they are tattered or wilted. We have the same experience. We have to endure storms in our lives and sometimes we get a little battered, but in the hands of the Master Gardener, we are tended. By fully trusting Him, we can banish worry and bloom more brilliantly in the light of His love and care.
As you notice the spring flowers, think about this object lesson from God.

Friday and Saturday I attended a WMU conference. One of the smaller, breakout conferences I attended was a real eye-opener on the topic of Bible literacy.
We tend to feel sorry for those who are illiterate - meaning those who cannot read. We offer special programs to educate such people because this world is hard to live in if one can't read and write. Personally, I can't imagine not being able to read and write. How often have I found myself reading until the wee hours of the morning because I just couldn't put my latest novel down? Quite often. Equally, I have been caught up in writing on my latest ficton that I didn't want to stop even to eat. I suppose I take it for granted that I have the ability to read and write.
But, do we place as high a priority on Bible literacy? Not in my experience. As I've taught children about a hero from the Bible, I am amazed at how little they know. In fact, it's not always limited to children. I have seen youth and adults who couldn't relate a well-known story like David and Goliath or Daniel and the lions den. With so little knowledge of the Bible, the whole story of God is not known.
The speaker this weekend utilized a simple graphic showing the 14 eras of the Bible. Then, she proceeded to move through each telling the story. It was impressive. She began in Genesis and pointed out the mention of Christ from the start. She showed that the whole Bible is the story of God's love and redemption. We so often pick a story here and there like pieces to a puzzle, but we never weave it together. We are basically not Bible literate.
There were times in the Bible when the words and laws from God were not read and even lost. During those times God's people turned to other gods and became corrupt. Why? They didn't have the words from God to direct their lives. There were times of restoration - like when King Josiah had the temple cleaned up removing idols. During the "spring cleaning" the book of law - instructions from God - were found. The king had them read immediately and the people cleaned up their act. Why? They heard the Word of God and returned to Him.
Just as this world is hard to live in when illiterate, it is tough to live the Christian life when we suffer from Bible illiteracy. Maybe our "spring cleaning" should include dusting off the Bible and reading His story so it becomes our story.

Thanks to all who read my blog. I have had people ask what blogs I follow. Here are a few I start each day with.
1. stepsusan.blogspot.com - This blog is written by a fellow writer and friend. She posts each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You'll find book reviews, devotional thoughts, and blessings. Always uplifting.
2. ACFW - Being a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, I check their blog. It is packed with encouragement and instruction from authors and editors.
3. seekerville blog - This is another writing blog which is chock full of information and encouragement for writers whether published or unpublished.
4. Novel Rocket blog - Yes, another writer's blog. Very helpful and encouraging.

There are others I check on occasion, but these are my regulars. I pray that those who read my blog would find it similarly informative and encouraging which would keep them coming back for more.
Are there issues you would like to address or some encouragement you would like to bring to others? Leave me a comment. I would love to have you as a guest.

"We talk about heaven being so far away. It is within speaking distance to those who belong there."
D.L. Moody
My daughter has this quote on the small bulletin board above her desk. She put it there as a reminder that God is only a prayer away to her.
Do you love the thought of this? If you are a child of God, your home is heaven. You have a direct line to the Almighty.
There are times heaven seems far away or silent, but we are promised that God is never far away from those who are His. Sometimes, in our flesh, we disconnect the line and try to go on our own. For me, this always results in a 911 call. Lord, help! I've messed up again.
This quote makes a lot of sense when I think about Paul telling us to "pray without ceasing." Christians can walk through life in an attitude of prayer - keeping God constantly on the line.
I suppose heaven can't be too far away if we can just speak and the Lord hears.
If you feel out of touch with God, call home.