A Vintage Gift

Read Matthew 17: 14-20

Matthew 14:20 “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Working on the sequel to TRAPPED has been a painstaking experience. I knew something was wrong and began to doubt my ability as a writer and whether my passion to write was truly God’s “call.”

I’ve been down on my knees so much I’ve formed tough calluses. Day after day, word after word, scene after scene, prayer after prayer…doubt after doubt. What was wrong? I prayed for God to give me the strength and the words to finish the book to His glory. Yet the plot kept going nowhere.

After a very tearful talk with God, I walked away from writing for three days.

But I couldn’t stay away. God kept sending little messages of encouragement.  One was a package in my mailbox from one of my writing friends. She had no idea of the struggle I’d been under, but she’d reached out to me with a very big message from God. Inside the package were two vintage 1960’s era mustard seed globe necklaces. She’d purchased them in the 80’s from a consignment shop because she always liked the idea of having a mustard seed of hope and faith. But she hadn’t worn them in over twenty years and wanted me to have them with the hope they would bring me some positive feeling. I was moved beyond words and in awe of God’s majesty.

My tagline is “Happily ever afters with a spark of romance, a shadow of suspense, and a mustard seed of faith.” These necklaces made me think about what the mustard seed of faith meant.  I believe it was God speaking in a loud, clear voice that he’d called me to share messages of hope and faith through the written word.

I went back to my plot and weak obstacles and suddenly saw the problem. I had included a character who made it impossible to form obstacles to my hero reaching his goal. He’s now back story.

I love the story of the mustard seed from the book of Matthew. And it means even more now as the scripture was revealed through God’s directing a gift to me through a friend.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us to remain faithful to the work you have called us to do. Instill in us the courage to move mountains with a mustard seed of faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.