Guest Blogger: Lena Nelson
Lena Nelson Dooley is a multi-published author who has hosted a critique group in her home for over twenty years. She’s been a member of ACFW since a few months after its inception. She’s taught several online courses, and she hasn’t missed any of the regional or national conferences. In 2005, she helped establish the first Texas local chapter. This is her second year as vice president.
In addition, Lena has spoken to both Christian and secular writing groups in Texas and Oklahoma. Helping other authors grow in their walk with the Lord and in their craft is one of her favorite things to do. That brought her recognition when ACFW gave her the Mentor of the Year award in 2006. She’s had a number of books voted as top ten favorites in the Heartsong Readers Poll, and she was voted a top ten favorite author in 2005. His Brother’s Castoff took second place in the Book of the Year contest in 2004. She also had books final in that contest the last two years. In 2006, Pirate’s Prize went to #1 on the list in the UK, and two other books were in the top 25. Scraps of Love, The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner, and Montana Mistletoe have been top 25 bestsellers on CBD.
www.lenanelsondooley.com http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Lena is married to the love of her life, and they enjoy spending time with their family. Two daughters, two sons-in-law, two granddaughters, two grandsons, one granddaughter-in-law, and one great grandson. The Dooleys are members of Gateway Church, where Lena volunteers in the bookstore, with the Global ministry, and with the altar prayer ministry.
Comparisons Equal Discouragement, Part 1
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Here is the Dennis Jernigan translation of this verse ©1991. “
The eternal self-existent God, The God who is three in one, He who dwells in the center of your being is a powerful and valiant warrior. He has come to set you free, to keep you safe and bring you to victory. He is cheered and He beams with exceeding great joy and takes pleasure in your presence. He has engraved a place for Himself in you and there He quietly rests in His love and affection for you. He cannot contain Himself at the thought of you and with greatest joy spins around wildly in anticipation over you. . .And has placed you above all other creations and in the highest place in His priorities. In fact, He shouts and sings in triumph joyfully proclaiming the gladness of His heart in a song of rejoicing! All because of you!”
We need to know who we are in the Lord–that He created us for a purpose, and He wants to work out that purpose in our lives if we will let Him.
“John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.’” John 3:27
When we read other authors’ work, the greatest temptation is to compare our writing to theirs. Also when we hear about their success, we compare ours or the lack thereof.
Let’s see what the Bible says about that.
“That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.” Galatians 5:26 The Message “
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.” Galatians 6:4-6 The Message
These are powerful words.
One day, I was reading another author’s book. I can’t remember whose it was right now, but it was awesome. The way she put the words together, the words she chose, the lyrical rhythm. Outstanding.
I dropped the book on my lap and sighed. I would have never thought to write these words. Then that still small, familiar, voice spoke to my spirit. “That’s because I didn’t give it to you to write.” I pondered that for a moment before my Savior continued, “But she can’t write the books I gave you as well as you can.” What a revelation! What happens when we compare ourselves to others in this way? I’ll tell you tomorrow.
Copyright 2008 - Lena Nelson Dooley
July 15th, 2008 at 02:04
This was a great post.
I often compare my work to those who are published and think, “Oh man, I’m never going to be good enough to get published.”
That’s just the nasty little devil on one shoulder bickering with my little angel on the other shoulder, but sometimes, the nasty one wins out.
I have to just remember to seek HIM out and that we’re all unique, called for different things! Thanks for the uplift Lena!!