When Life Hands you Lemons

by Christina Rich

Make Lemonade.

It's no huge secret that my husband was diagnosed with cancer a little over a year ago, and it's no secret that come Father's Day and June 19th, it'll be his first anniversary in heaven. I think we're kind of special, because we get two days to celebrate and remember such a wonderful man of God instead of one. :)

So, when news came in my inbox about the closing of Love Inspired's historical line, I brushed it off. Even though I had been working on a revised proposal. Even though I had hopes of contracting another book. Even though I could have used my advance to pay past due bills on utilities. Even though I could have used the advance to replace our broken down vehicles. Even though I could have used the advance to buy some sort of furniture for my empty living room. Even though 95% of my income had been ripped from my hands...

Even though I was told by professionals in the industry that historicals were pretty much dead and don't bother sending any historical proposals, I smiled. I'd heard that before at a writer's conference in 2009. And it did not stop me from writing historicals. I'd been told that nobody would buy my historical romances set in ancient Judah, but that didn't stop me from sending them out into the publishing world, where they sold to LIH.

I'm not saying the closing of the line isn't a big deal. It is, and not just for me. What I'm saying is, there could be worse news, there could be worse days. There have been worse days. Let's face it, I feel like I've walked on the stormy seas safely embrace in my savior's arms and came out unscathed. After the last year, I've learned to not allow my circumstances, minor and major, throw me for a bipolar emotional roller coaster. I've learned, that in the grand scheme of things, the only things I'm in control of is how much I truly trust God and how I react to any given situation.

I've learned that I don't have to get out of bed every morning. I don't have to move forward. I don't have to trudge through the day. I choose to get out of bed. I choose to run forward with my head high and a smile on my face. I choose to skip through the day, with child like trust. And I try to absolutely choose to walk in the Spirit, rather than in my flesh.

My choices dictate whether I choose chaos or peace. My choices dictate whether I see the lemons handed me as a curses or a blessings.

 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

Psalm 65:5-7

My writing opportunities are wide open and my foot is hard on the gas pedal. I know God has my back. He knows my heart and He knows why I write. To honor and glorify Him. If a contract comes out of it, Praise, God. If it doesn't, I'm going to praise Him anyway. The success of my writing career isn't dependent on a publisher and their success and my happiness isn't dependent on a contract, if it is, I feel as if I'm writing for the wrong reasons.  I pray my entire being, my every breath exists to glorify Him, and if I trust Him to keep this world spinning on it's axis and hold the oceans in place, then I better well trust Him with the call He's placed on my life. I'm just sayin'.

As for what I'm currently doing, I'm writing. More than I ever have. I've released one full length and one novella with Forget Me Not Romances in the last few weeks (you can find those on Amazon), and I have another one coming out in the next few days. AND, I fully intend on submitting to Love Inspired in the near future.

Many blessing to you,

Christina