Trying to Live in Two Worlds

I came home from the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference exhausted, but also inspired to dive back into writing my current novel. Not only are the workshops helpful, but being surrounded by hundreds of people who have the same passion for the written word is always energizing.

After immersion in a creative culture, it was difficult to return to a day job where I needed to switch over and use my left brain. I’m employed by a company who expects me to focus on logical thinking and analysis.

This past week it became even more apparent that in some ways I live in two worlds. The effort it takes to move between them can be draining. The photo I included in this week’s post is titled, “Strange Worlds.” Though I don’t live in a science fiction story, the picture is an illustration of what it felt like to be back at my job. Out there! It was a struggle to concentrate on my work. Thank goodness, several days later I was back in the swing of things.

But what I experienced made me wonder…

How often do we try to live in two separate worlds when it comes to our personal or spiritual lives?

A woman puts on a happy face in front of her friends, unwilling to let them know that her home life is miserable.

An employee teaches his children that stealing is wrong, but at the request of his employer is willing to manipulate the company’s books.

A man purchases a new car in order to look successful and then fights depression because of how close he is to filing bankruptcy.

The youth director secretly lives with her boyfriend, but tells the teenagers in the church youth group not to have premarital sex.

A young man parties on Friday night until he can’t remember what he did or who he slept with and then shows up at church on Sunday morning to lead worship.


These scenarios are all fictional. But they’re also close to reality.

Too often we lie to other people - and to ourselves – as to what’s really going on in our lives. We put up fronts in order to hide from…what?

It takes a toll on us—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—to try and live in two worlds at the same time. It sucks the energy from us.

For now I need to live in two professional worlds. But I only want to live in one when it comes to my personal and spiritual life. I want to be who God created me to be regardless of what I'm doing, where I am, or who I’m with.

How about you?

Dawn

Heading to the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference

I’m getting ready to attend the (ACFW) American Christian Fiction Writers conference. This year it's being held from September 18th - 21st in Minneapolis. Over 500 writers, editors, and agents will attend. This is my fourth year and it feels like I’m going back for old home week. I’ve made great friends from across the country and it will be wonderful to see them.

I lived in the Minneapolis area for fifteen years and a bonus is that with going a day early, I have the opportunity to hook up with a few friends I haven’t seen in a long time. I’m excited to have the chance to sit down with them and catch up without relying on email.

Our key note speaker for the conference is Angela Hunt. I love her work and am excited to hear her speak. Angela is the best-selling author of The Tale of Three Trees, The Debt, The Note, and The Nativity Story, with over three million copies of her books sold worldwide. My favorite is Uncharted.

This year an off-site public book signing has been added that will outshine any book signing imaginable. Below are the details. So, if you live in the Minneapolis area – or are within driving distance – this is something you don’t want to miss!

Public Book Signing

Mall of America

Saturday, September 20th

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

ACFW has been working with local bookstores, book clubs, and media to spread the word about this event. Approximately 100 authors are participating.

The book signing will be located in the main rotunda of the Mall of America, down a hallway, and in the Sears Rotunda. Barnes & Noble is located next to the main rotunda and will have books of participating authors available for sale.

I’ll fill you in on my conference adventure when I return, and hopefully will be able to share some fun pics.

Have a great week!
Dawn

Paragliding, A Leap of Faith

Despite what some people believe, we do experience sunshine in Seattle. On such days, I’m blessed with an awesome display while driving through the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

As I follow the road, I watch the paragliders from the Seattle Paragliding organization sail in the sky above me. They take off from an area called Tiger Mountain, where the location is high enough to catch warm air currents. When they’re ready to land, they maneuver their way down to a small field below.

Their colorful and graceful aerial dance is a spectacular sight.

I’ve been to the top of Tiger Mountain where the paragliders
lift off. It’s a long ways up . . . and just as far coming down. Every flight is a leap of faith. They must first trust the wind to lift them high enough into the air. And then they must trust their equipment to function properly, enabling them to float safely to the ground, instead of plummeting into the thick evergreens below.

But, once they’re up . . . they’re given a spectacular view and a terrific sense of freedom.

It isn’t much different than situations we experience in our relationship with God.

Don’t we also sometimes need to take that scary step off safe ground and trust that He’ll not fail us?

If we leap with faith—just like a paraglider—we too may find ourselves soaring with freedom and joy.


Dawn


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