“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

Much Counsel

As I work on my Page Turner entry, I'm finding that having another person's eyes on my work can add to and improve it quite a bit. And often, more than one is even better.

I have had a total of three different people look over the introduction to Ailing Body, Nourished Soul. One reviewed my "first draft" a month or so ago and gave me some AMAZING feedback (thanks, Jan!). I then fixed it up and sent it to two others (Cat and Seema, you're incredible) to get their perspectives. Both of them are writers I admire, and who have looked over my work before.

I think what amazed me the most is that both of them caught things I missed and gave me wonderful suggestions--and not one of their corrections was duplicated by the other. In other words, if I had relied on just one of them, my piece would not be as polished as it is now.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 NIV
Don't you just love it when you walk into a living example of the accuracy of God's Word?

Originally, I was only going to send this to one of the two "editors," but the first one got a busy schedule and wasn't getting back to me QUITE as fast as her impatient editee was dreaming. In my selfish impatience, I sent it off to another dear friend in the hopes she would get it back to me lickety split (by the way, they both sent me back their edits on the very same day - yesterday). Despite my selfishness and anxiety, God used my for good (the good of my intro, anyway!). What an amazing and gracious God we have.

And if I can trust God to accomplish His best for me in little things like this, despite my own selfish motives, how can I NOT trust him for the larger things in life?
Thank You, Lord, for teaching me the validity and value of Your Word every day. Thank You for using even my Godless motives to lead me on the right, blessed path. Help me to learn to follow You and Your way, and to see things from Your perspective. In Jesus' precious name I pray.

Amen.

6 comments:

  1. Joanne, glad to help you with your intro. Looking forward to reading the entire book. :)

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  2. Amen and Amen. I'm really excited for you, as your journey to authorship continues. I'm sure your book will be not only a good read, but a blessing too!

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  3. Isn't it wonderful, when God drops these blessings on us? I'm glad you are getting some good counsel with your book. I can't wait to see it done!

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  4. What great wisdom tucked into your own personal example. A humble and teachable heart is a prerequisite to a maturing one. And I learn from you, in writing as well as life, each and every day.

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  5. Having joined your journey only recently, I would love to learn more about your writing journey.

    So glad for feedback from others. When allowed, it fuels the pen for better writing, don't you think?

    peace~elaine

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  6. I'll be sending back your first chapter soon, I promise! Sorry I've kept it so long already.

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