Ten years ago this month, my first book, Love Letters from God, was published. It was an absolute dream come true, an utter miracle, an unbelievable achievement that I still thank God for every day.
I thought I’d arrived. I was, at long last, after a six-year journey, a children’s author. I remember looking at my name on the gorgeous cover, turning each page, rereading my words and marveling that they were, unbelievably, in print.
Little did I know that the book I held would become a series of four, that I would go on to write many more picture books and board books with Zonderkidz…
or that I would one day be published with Beaming Books…
and Paraclete Press…
But God knew.
And after ten years and forty titles, these five things I’ve learned….
- When God calls you to begin something, you must finish it. (I gave up writing that first book when I was halfway through. If I hadn’t finished it, I wouldn’t now be the author of so many titles.)
- When something in your life goes right, celebrate it. In my author journey, I have learned to celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Life is hard. Rejection is hard (yes, it still happens to me) but if you celebrate whenever you can, it takes the focus off the hard times.
- I’m not in competition with other children’s book authors… I’m in colleagueship with them. Cheering each other on as we journey through life is a wonderful thing.
- It’s much more healthy for me to define ‘success’ in terms of fruitfulness, rather than achievements. Will the words I’ve written bring joy and hope to readers even if I never publish another book? Have I sown seeds that will bear fruit? If so, then my words have been a success. I love how Henri Nouwen puts it:
“Let’s remind one another that what brings us true joy is not successfulness but fruitfulness.”
5. God is absolutely able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.
And to God, alone, be the glory.
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Check out my next title: Gathered at the Table: Celebrating Communion.
Congratulations, Glenys!! You are an encourager and a remarkable author. Thanks for encouraging me, and so many others. For God’s glory, we continue together.
Thank you so much, Ann. Yes, we’re in this together!
All of us that know you, personally, Glenys, are so very proud of you! I’m so glad that you have kept writing and all these wonderful books are a product of your love of God and others! I enjoy giving them to my grandchildren. I really enjoy reading the books to them! Thank you, for spreading God’s love and your love!
Thank you so much, Lori, for your wonderful words and for cheering me on!
Glenys I’m so proud of you following God’s call on your life and persevering with your writing. I know you have many more books in you. Keep writing!
I hope you’re right, David, but if not, it’s been a fantastic journey with you by my side!
Congratulations, Glenys. Your testimony of “6 thoughts on Ten Years, Forty Titles, Five Things I’ve Learned” is wonderful encouragement for me today. I’m going to keep on writing! God bless you!
Oh, thank you so much, Dianne. Yes, DO keep on writing!
congratulations, Glenys! And i love the things you have learned about celebrating small milestones and not competing with other writers but being their colleagues and that fruitfulness is what’s most important!
Thank you so much, Kathy. Reframing ‘success’ according to Henri Nouwen helped me too.
Amazing successes! Proud of you in so many ways!!! We look up to you!
Thank you, Natalie. ❤️
Congratulations Glenys!
I am so happy for you!
God is good, his blessings are all around us, and he is using you to help so many children see his blessings.
It seems like these ten years have flown by. Everytime I see a new book with your name on it, I smile an remember when I met you.
Aww, thank you, Susan! You’re right… these ten years have flown. Thanks for supporting me on my journey.