Divine Appointments
I have often heard the phrase “divine appointment,” but had not experienced one personally until last spring.
At that time, I traveled to my first writer’s conference in Colorado. I had submitted my choices for one-on-one’s with editors after hours of pouring over books and the internet to make my final selections. I received my top four choices, but due to illness or other issues, I needed to choose to meet with someone else. I prayed as I approached the one-on-one sign-up table asking the Lord to direct my choice.
My eyes scanned the list of available editors as my brain tried to place what I would have to share with each one. Being new to the writing world, my portfolio was pitifully small.
Time and again my eyes came back to an editor from a curriculum publishing house so I signed up for a one-on-one with her. I had nothing to show her and was only familiar with her product through our preschool Sunday School teacher who loves their curriculum and has used it for years.
While waiting for a critique on a children’s story I had written, I saw this editor sitting on the steps passing the time between her appointments as well. I introduced myself to the lovely young woman, and explained that I would be meeting with her later that day.
I jokingly shared that our preschool teacher used her curriculum exclusively as did our MOPS group. She quipped because of my compliment she would take anything I had written.
The witty repartee set the stage for a relaxed meeting later in the afternoon. I reiterated the fact that I had nothing to show her, but was familiar with her publishing house and their products.
She took over the remainder of the interview explaining the different types of opportunities available with her house. She gave me an assignment as a freelance writer and asked me to send my resume in as a freelance editor also.
In return, I gave her my business card and concluded a very pleasant meeting.
After the conference, I attempted to work on the assignment, but the release of my oldest six children from school for the summer filled up my days to such an extent that I got no further than pondering the project and thinking, “I really should work on that project.”
Summer flew by with nary a moment to think let alone write, and, once again, the children were back to school.
As I fell back into the routine, I once again thought of my appointment at the writer’s conference and wondered if she still needed the assignment she had given me at the conference or if I had missed my opportunity.
Once again, I prayed and asked God what I should do about this situation.
I continued on with daycare and my lessons with the Christian Writer’s Guild.
One day, I opened my e-mail to find a message from her. I opened the e-mail with trembling fingers.
Her e-mail invited me to be a contributing author on a book her house was writing. I could hardly believe my eyes. She had not seen any of my work, and, yet, she was asking me to contribute to a book put out by her company.
I was amazed, astonished, thrilled and humbled at this opportunity.
I quickly responded and within two weeks had completed my first project.
Looking back on my expectations for the writer’s conference, I had hoped to be discovered for my writing abilities by a big publishing house. I planned, plotted, and strategically placed myself with the people I wanted to meet.
Instead, I discovered through a ‘divine appointment’ how intimately God works in my life planning, plotting and strategically placing me with the people He wants me to meet.
