Dusty and Jesus

Well, we've set off on the adventure of finishing Robin Hood book 3!!! :)

Yes, I've been "writing" this book for a while. That is, I began it a long time ago and intermittently wrote in it since then. Now, however, it has become my sole object and aim. I will finish Dusty's story.

I now have more motivation to do so, and it's coming easier. But this is rather a long story, so let's start at the beginning, shall we?

First of all, I have always wanted to be a mother and have a family and all that good stuff. Recently I have become more interested in finding a husband and being a good wife. Then, randomly I thought at the time (although it turned out not so random later), I was reading an article a little over a week ago about things that Christian guys look for in women. The top one, and the one that happened to catch my eye and prick my heart, was a woman who pursues God.

I began to think about my own relationship with Jesus. I have, for a long time now, been a believer and follower of Christ. But it was passive, or it seemed so to me. I read my Bible, sure. I prayed too. And yes, I did want to follow Jesus and do His will. But somehow, it wasn't enough. What stood out to me most was the phrase "a woman who pursues God." Pursues. I had never in my life pursued God. I loved Him but I wasn't pursuing Him.

So, right then and there, I prayed for a change of heart. I wanted to pursue Him. I wanted to have a desire for Him, and hunger for His word.

Changes began to take place before I even realized it. I am now reading my Bible way more, and LOVING it. Oh I enjoyed my Bible before. But now I just can't get enough of it! :) And my prayer life, though nowhere near stagnant before, has exploded. :)

And then there are the little things. When I am asked to do things around the house I get up with a smile. I really do feel so willing and cheerful inside that it still takes me by surprise. I am more motivated to do chores and the like, I have a sudden passion for being healthy and fit (I do a little work out every day now with my sister) and I seriously cannot get enough of Jesus.

Now, what does all that have to do with Robin Hood book 3? Well, Dusty is the spiritual person among the gang. She knew and loved Jesus long before the others. Now that I have a true passion for God and unquenchable desire to know Him better, I relate to Dusty more. It has also become increasingly easier and more fun to write the "spiritual side" of this story.

For a long time I was stuck. I'd started Dusty's book, but I couldn't seem to get it moving along. It was caught in the mud it seemed like. But now it has taken off. Dusty has wings, and it's all because of Jesus. The closer I come to Him the easier everything else seems to be. And the more my relationship with God mirrors Dusty's, the easier it is to write her character and her life.

I am getting more excitement and fun out of life than I ever have before. It's strange too, that though I still love to write...it seems to have lessened and yet at the same time grown. Oh I LOVE writing still....but writing doesn't matter anymore. Not that it doesn't matter though, it just isn't everything. Because Jesus is everything. It's hard to explain. But if I never wrote another word I would still be so, so happy. It's like I don't care anymore, because I have Jesus in a way I never have before.

That's not to say I won't be writing, because I still love it. But more than that, I believe God has given me a gift that He wants to use for His purposes. So yes, I will still be writing and I will still love it.

On another note altogether...

Always In Shadow is getting closer and closer!! :) Be excited, people. :) You'll see it published before the month is out. :)