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What Do You Do When?
By Sandy Layne Printable Version

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.
Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

The novel you've been working on for months is done? Well…you go back and revise, rewrite, revise, and rewrite again! Of course!

However, it isn't always easy. If you've been so blessed as to complete a long-term project - whether it is a novel, thesis, short story, or emotional poem - you know how it feels. The rush! It's the Lord's own reward for perseverance, patience, and productivity in doing His will. I really believe that.

Starting Over

It's exciting, to be honest. To know that the end has been written, but get to enjoy the beginning all over again. I really enjoy this. I always have, anyway.

But I am challenged this time. Severely challenged. For me, a rewrite involves reviewing notes not only in the manuscript notebook I have made for myself, but also in all the notes my friends in the Roundtable have made for me. These notes are not the challenge.

It's trying to work with all this paper with an inquisitive neo-toddler about!

Children and Paper

Have you ever noticed, how much fun young people - those under the age of, say, ten - have with paper? It can be any kind of paper: order forms, 24 lb. 94 rated white Hewlett Packard paper that cost the earth, stationery, newsprint…any kind will do.

Small hands like the way it sounds when it's ripped, crinkled, and waved about in front of a fan. Larger hands like to discover the different textures and how they react to charcoal pencils, crayons, and permanent markers.

I am all for multimedia learning experiences; I used to be a teacher! But I would rather not see Mike's critique used as a fan or Jeanne's used for target practice. Even if it keeps the baby quiet another minute and a half.

I Thank the Lord for…

Veggie Tales ™! I do hope I'm not offending anyone, but I have to plug BigIdea.com! Lyrick Studios has produced some of the most charming, entertaining, spiritually healthy videos I've ever seen.

This is not to say that there are not other animated features that do not honor God! But none of them feature talking vegetables that have no arms, and with eyes that are THIS BIG. These are key features for my kids.

I do not advocate letting the television baby-sit children, no. But! I do advocate the right of every working mom or dad who stays home with the kids to have a half-hour of peace in which to work if at all possible.

And, thankfully, it is.

Progress!

So in between sacrificing critiques after I've utilized them and entertaining Christian videos for my boys, I can truthfully say I have made some progress in the current rewrite. I praise the Lord for giving me resources with which to work and a sense of humor when I can't work as I'd like.

And When I can't Work…?

I bounce Scooter when he's fussy, and I tell him all about my ideas for the next two or three books! Cyclone doesn't want to hear it, but he does enjoy writing his own stories, so my heart is made happy in his creativity.

A receptive, captive audience and a creative son! What mother could ask for more?

Not this Mom! In between my kids and my keyboard, I have found satisfaction and productivity. Some day, when I stand before God in Heaven, I pray that He'll tell me, “Well done, Sandy. Well done.”

And then, maybe He'll smile and pat my head before pointing a finger at the Giant, Flat Screen HDTV set he'll have prepared for people like me.

Yep, there'll be Veggie Tales™ up there, too! I wonder if Bob and Larry will have arms?

May you find ways to share Christ with your kids this week as you write for Him!

Look for Sandy's regular Kids-n-Keys column at:
http://www.writetoinspire.com

Also, look to Sandy Layne for your editing needs:
http://www.alookediting.com