Dreams and goals bring us joy. Joy when we can imagine shaping an idea and seeing it happen. Early this year, I reorganized the bookshelves. I’d planned to organize those shelves for months. Almost a year. Then with a focused vision, a plan, and 10 to 60 minutes a day I finished. I posted my progress on Instagram for fun. But not all goals are so easy. Or can be completed in such a short time. Some goals are percolating ideas or unrealized dreams.
I’ve been keeping a diary for more than four decades. And my diary-keeping has evolved over and over from personal angst and anger, character sketches, and prayer space to list-making. I’ve written in various types as well: composition books, spiral notebooks, chunky suede, leather-bound journals, diaries, and notebooks. I’ve had one handmade by @tashasolare. She “makes journals to hold your words close.” And with great scribing filled tea-stained journals by @vagabroadjournals. Through all those pages I’ve dreamed, imagined putting together an interactive journal for others. But God has a way of disrupting my plans and placing me on an unexpected path. It’s clear my life is a divine holy interruption. You know the Yiddish proverb, [Hum]Man makes plans, and God laughs.” Or said another way, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” According to Proverbs 19:9 a human being’s heart, feelings, will, and intellect may plan their course of action, but the Lord determines their steps. A few verses later, nineteen, again the writer reminds us, our thoughts, our devices make many plans, but the advice, the counsel of the Lord is what stands. And that’s exactly what the Lord did.
In December 2020, Ginny, a long-time writing peer, sent me a message. She had a project that she believed was in my wheelhouse. At that moment, I was swamped with final exams and papers. I was anxious for the semester to end. It’s 2020. It’s a pandemic. Classrooms are virtual. I’m living in Princeton have yet to discover the best eatery. Ginny, also an awesome playwright, introduces me via email to one of the editors of Peter Pauper Press, a publisher of personal diaries, journals, stationery, and specialty gifts. In an email, Barbara tells me exactly what she is looking for as an interactive journal. In the middle of my crazy, the Lord shows up. I get a writer-for-hire contract with a four-week deadline to do something that I so much enjoy.
Two weeks ago, February 11, 2022, a box of those journals, Make it Happen, A Journal to Identify and Actualize your Goals, appeared at my door. An unrealized dream bound in a journal. And my name on the spine and on the inside page. You know, almost ten years ago I was at a conference, pitched a journaling idea to an agent that I’d met. She said the journal is dead. The same year, I sent the proposal to another publisher, and they were not pleased with the personal testimonies in the proposal. I put that work away. Make it Happen, is not that work but it’s a beautiful seed planted for God’s glory. It’s a dream, a goal, that reminds me that in the Lord’s time, the right time, the Lord, will make it happen (Isaiah 60:22 NLT).
Until Next time,
Angela
“I choose joy”
Congratulations! So pleased how God is showing up in your life and enabling you onto bigger and better things.
Thank you, Marjorie! God is amazing. Always faithful.
Congrats; in Gods time.
God’s time is so much better.
Angela, this is so exciting! Congratulations. Your name on the spine will
Show up on desks and nightstands all over the country!
Elaine, It is so exciting. And I love your thought. The name on the spine shows up on desks and nightstands, globally.