For the past two months, I’ve been working like crazy to get my second novel boosted in word count in order to submit to a publisher at the Oregon Christian Writer’s summer conference. I’ve been working nights, and in between being homeschool mom and wife (and whatever other titles I carry that I can’t remember right now). I’ve just about finished polishing it up and feel pretty confident about it. My proposals are turned in and all I have to do is wait for Monday and have a great time at the conference. Or so I thought.

Last night, my son came down with the stomach flu. This has thrown a kink into my plans. I’m pretty susceptible to…everything it seems. I don’t know where I was when the immune systems were being handed out, but I definitely missed mine.

In order for me to make this conference, God had to work out some pretty difficult things: money, transportation and childcare, as well as the time to boost my story, and to edit it. I have several folks holding me up in prayer, and as all these things were all worked out, I registered and got to work. I trust that He has a plan, and I’m moving ahead in faith. Yet one eye is on my son, who hasn’t turned the corner to wellness, and I’m wondering if I’ll go down in the battle.

It’s hard to keep my eyes ahead sometimes. It’s difficult not to look at my current circumstances and feel overwhelmed when I’ve had very little sleep, washed bedding and clothing all day long, and keep running my child to the bathroom every hour or so. But God calls us to do just that—keep our eyes on Him. So, that’s what I’m choosing to do, and to God be the glory.

Hebrews 12: 1-3

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

James 1: 2-8

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.