Scripture Sunday is … simply a post I’ll make on a Sunday that involves something about Scripture! Some examples would be: how reading the Bible helped me handle a particular situation in my life; or what is a favorite Bible verse on a particular subject and why I like it; or what section of Scripture relates to / or is mentioned in one of my novels.
Today’s Scripture Topic: God’s Plans for Me
This September, I had been at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in San Antonio for only a little over an hour, and already I looked a complete mess! There I stood, mascara making black marks on my cheeks as tears streamed down my face; red splotches peeking above the collar of my shirt and dotting their way up my neck; hands shaking, legs trembling as I struggled to contain my emotions.
Sadness? Anxiety? Fear? Were these the feelings manifesting themselves in this physical display for all the attendees of the conference to see?
No.
It was thankfulness. It was love. It was appreciation for all that God has done for me so far, and for all the “good plans” He has made for me.
When I was your foe, still your love fought for me.
You have been so, so good to me.
Those lyrics above, from Cory Asbury’s Reckless Love, were why I was a complete mess at the beginning of the conference. All the attendees were in the main conference room awaiting the start of the general session, when the worship team started singing this popular song that plays on Christian radio stations, and one that we had been singing in our church too. It is a song with lyrics that truly, deeply, move me to tears almost every time.
I grew up in a practicing Catholic household, then stopped believing in God my first years of college, then believed again when I was pregnant with my second child. So, the lyrics to that song just really hit home … that even when I wasn’t a believer God chased after me, his “love fought for me.” This happened in various ways, such as my parents and other family and friends encouraging me constantly to come back to God. And when I was reborn, my life really started to turn around for the better – because God has been “so, so good to me.”
Most people probably think crying first thing at a conference would not be an indication that it’s gonna be a good one! Ha! And a bunch of the attendees at my table all laughed after worship, saying things such as, “They need to change the worship service to the end of the day, because I cry every time, and how am I supposed to meet with agents and editors or give workshops with my face all a mess like this?”
The crying at the beginning of the conference was definitely not a bad thing, and those strong feelings of thankfulness, love, and appreciation continued throughout the whole weekend in San Antonio.
I have a coin my former Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) leader, the lovely Pam Markiewicz, gave me, and one side has “TRUST … in His timing” and the other side has “WAIT for His answers.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve held that coin in my hand and said those words to myself. Both agents I pitched to at the conference asked me to send them my full manuscript for my current WIP, Life Without You, even though I told them my estimated date to have it ready wouldn’t be until March.
That was the gift I received for trusting in God’s timing, and that was God’s answer to my long-held prayer that I would have at least a good rapport with the agents I met at the conference, and that they would at least be interested in seeing my work, to possibly later take me on as their client.
I’d also included in my prayers leading up to the conference that I would learn many valuable lessons in the workshops I attended; have a good time finally meeting in person my “online” writer friends, as well as getting to meet several other Christian writers and industry professionals; and that I would come away feeling closer to God. Well, Winner Winner Chicken Dinner – God answered all those prayers in the affirmative. Each time I had a positive interaction with a person, or attended a workshop and learned something new, I felt God was truly answering my prayers, and His timing was matching my desired timing too!
I wish I could have attended all panels and workshops, but there usually were about three going on at the same time, so attendees had to pick the ones they desired to attend the most! The first night I was there I attended both agent panels, and I’m so glad I did because seeing the agents in person, checking out their personalities, and hearing their answers to writer-submitted questions was very helpful.
Prior to the conference, I had researched online all the agents who would be attending, and I thought I had figured out all of them who would be a “good fit” in both areas of personality and business/agenting/publishing practices. I was correct on some of them I had picked, but on some of the others, I was surprised to discover that either they probably would not be a good fit, or hey, I liked them in person more than I thought I would, and they might be another agent to add to my “possible” group.
This is why I think it’s very important for writers who are seeking representation to meet in person agents on their desired list. I also think God was at work here, showing me that He has His own ideas and plans on who would or would not be the best person to help me out in my writing career, which comes down to the end result of helping me the most to spread The Word.
I also felt God was guiding me at the conference by “hinting” to me not only which agent or editor panels I should attend, but which workshops. Again, I wish I could have gone to all, but I felt I got a lot out of the ones I did go to, which are listed below.
Indie Publishing That Sells: Misty M. Beller
Revelation of Jesus in Fiction: Rachel Hauck
Right Brain Writing: Angela Hunt
Weaving Spiritual Themes into Your Novel: Tessa Afshar
How to Keep Publishing in This Ever-Changing Industry: Tamela Hancock Murray
Movie Matters: An Agent’s View on the Book-to-Film Process: Jessica Kirkland
Brave New Christian Fiction World Panel: Christine Sharbrough, Emma Wenner, Chris Jager
Better Together – Developing a Plotting Society: Christy Barritt, Tammy Gray, Connilyn Cossette, Nicole Deese, Amy Matayo
Other than the agent or editor appointments, the panels, and the workshops, attendees were also given the privilege to hear two Keynote Addresses by novelist and speaker extraordinaire Frank Peretti. A very entertaining and animated speaker, that Frank!
Of course, there were several meals served during my three days there, and each time I sat at a different table and got to meet a lot of fun people, including other writers, agents, editors, and other industry professionals. I’ll have to admit I had the most fun at the gala awards, sitting next to Baker Book House fiction buyer Chris Jager, where we got going on things we had in common, starting with how we both hate coffee and prefer white chocolate over dark. I was also excited to meet people who live in my area, and this coming year I plan to attend the monthly ACFW chapter meetings held in San Antonio.
So, what is the Scripture that I think fits this whole conference best? Some of you probably have already guessed!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
-Jeremiah 29: 11-13 NLT
I truly believe the conference going so well the way it did, was absolutely part of the “plans for good” that God has for me. I truly believe the praying I did beforehand, that God listened to me. I truly believe that I was looking wholeheartedly for God, particularly at that conference, and that I did indeed find Him. And when I did find Him, I truly believe I felt Him wrap His arms around me and give me the biggest and best hug!