I am a writer. I have to write. When I don’t, things get messy, disoriented, clogged up and kinda foggy. Over the past few years as writing transitioned from a new acquaintance to my safe, comfortable friend, the unforeseen challenge arises to understanding its purpose. Why do I write.

Recently my custom-shaped-writing-creativity, was forced (by me) into that of a marketing musketeer leaving me exhausted and uninspired. In pursuit of being a good steward of the book I had been entrusted with, Instagram became a straightjacket and I was struggling to be free.

On that note… Why is it so easy to get caught up trying to capitalise on anything potentially growable? This was a good dose of perspective. The fisherman and the businessman.

I’m not a matchy-matchy, beautiful image kinda girl. Give me raw, unhindered and sporadic any day. But people don’t buy that. They want nice, clean, ordered… I tried and avoided, tried and avoided, to post things so they would be ‘nice’ and ‘acceptable’ and sellable. In doing so I found myself exhaustedly dragging myself down a lane I was never meant to run in.

As I fumbled over these ponderings I found myself immersed in the story of the potter and the clay he moulds.

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So, I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so, the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. (Jerimiah 18:1-6)

Romans 9:19-21 Mirrors the story with these words:For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? 

It resonated. How often do we cotton onto the way God is shaping us and quickly conclude the direction our life is heading, promptly getting a head start on plans? How often do we want to hide our perceived common day offerings in the shadow of those made for special use.

We are both the potter and the clay. We find our purpose in His hands and in His hands we create things for His purpose. The purpose of me as a writer, the intent of my books are in many ways none of my business. My job is to stay mouldable in His hands and shape whatever He sees fit. In light of these passages I wondered:

What if growing my social media account and the number of sales is not the intention of this book? 

Have I wondered over into someone else’s lane?

What is my lane?

Am I running in the grace that’s fitting for me?

Go where the grace is… 

Here’s to 2019. To creating SPACE for the things I love and living congruent to who I am and what I create.

And hey, if 2019 has started and its already not what you expected, if you need a bit of encouragement away from the hustle of goal setting and pushing, can I invite you into an entirely new way of thinking? My lastest three-part devotional is a game changer focusing on WHO goals, not Do goals. I had full intentions of advertising it this last January…. But you, know just trying to stick to my lane. Better late than never!

Blessings,

Order Daughter Wait here.

Daughter Wait! is an invitation to consider a different approach to dating and relationships.

If you’ve ever wondered: How do I know if he is the one? How do I move on from a broken heart? What are realistic boundaries in a relationship? What can I do while I am waiting?
Then this book is for you.

Within these pages are some of Carly’s most vulnerable and heartbreaking moments, along with the powerful revelations and realizations that set her heart on a new course. Daughter Wait! is a warning of the perils of dating and a reminder of the promises of a Heaven-sent relationship.

Written in Carly’s unique conversational style, you’ll cry, laugh and cheer as you follow her story of life, loss and love. Daughter Wait! is a timeless reminder that regardless of your past, God has the best for your future.