Have you ever had a dream that just wouldn’t let you go … but it didn’t go anywhere, either?
I’m a freelance writer, and long seasons of waiting for dreams to become reality just come with the territory. But sometimes those waiting periods can feel like an eternity. Even if you’re not a writer, I’m guessing you can relate.
About twenty years ago, I had the idea of doing a devotional for people who love fiction. Since I’d been teaching at writers’ conferences for years, I’d connected with authors at all levels, including well-known best sellers. So there were a lot of people I could ask about submitting stories.
Since I’d been a professional freelance editor for several years, I could edit the submissions I chose without losing the authors’ voices. And I’d developed a strong social media presence, so I could get the word out to other writers who might want to be included in the compilation.
I started pitching the idea to the publishers I met at writers’ conferences. Some were excited about the idea, but the proposals never developed into a contract. In spite of numerous rejections, I knew God had a plan for this concept, so I kept pitching it—working on other books (and my editing business) in the meantime.
Finally, BroadStreet Publishing caught the vision I had—and offered me a four-book contract! They created these devotionals as beautiful hardcover gift books, with full-color interior pages, even ribbon page markers. They were so gorgeous, I was actually glad the other publishers turned me down!
I’m glad I didn’t give up on this dream. I know God made sure these books got published in just the right way and at just the right time … according to His plan. He is making sure they get into the hands of the people He had in mind when He called me to do this in the first place.
Have you harbored a dream in your heart for a long time? Have you begun to disparage of it ever becoming a reality? Don’t give up.
Trust God to come through—in His time and in His way.
Kathy Ide
21 Days of Grace by Kathy Ide
Kathy Ide is the author of Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors and editor/compiler for the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. She is a professional freelance editor, director of the SoCal Christian Writers’ Conference and the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and co-owner of the Christian Editor Network. You can read her blog on her website.
