Do Not Fret

Upon hearing of my despair about the computer glitch that showed me selling thousands of books at full price when they had actually "sold" on the free day, many friends, and even a stranger wrote to comfort and encourage me. Still, it was not easy to shake the feeling of betrayal at the hands of, if not the publisher, at least the computer that I have come to treat as a friend.

We were to drive yesterday morning from my son Matt's house in Virginia on to my folks in NY, but first, I went on an early morning run. I headed downhill, towards the river.

Matt lives in a tiny village along the Maury River. I headed towards the river as the fog still whispered on the surrounding mountain tops.

To my delight, there was a river walk that snaked alongside the Maury. Not another soul was out. The river gurgled and boiled in sections of white water. It's sputtering and splashing was the only sound besides my footfalls along the gravel path. At the turnaround point, I stood at the shore for a moment. 

Sheer granite cliffsides rose from the opposite shore. The Blue Ridge mountains circled me

I had a little powwow session with God. I realized that when I started writing both my books, it was not to make money. It was to share my amazing experiences of God with others, most especially with people that might not otherwise read about Him. I felt it was something I was called to do, and my prayer was that He would be glorified. Somewhere along the line, I began to be hopeful that I could make money off this venture as well, but it was not my original primary intent. As I stood in the beautiful valley with the river gurgling and the mountains towering and the sun just beginning to stretch across the path, I remembered that purpose.

How easy it is to fret, to lose perspective. I don't know about you, but nothing returns me to a spirit of quiet worship and understanding better than being alone in a beautiful place. If only I were better at carrying those beautiful places within me!

"Thankyou Lord," I whispered, and noticed something silvery rise in the water and then slip away again with the current.

(NIV)Psalm 37:4-8

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: [6] He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. [7] Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. [8] Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret---it leads only to evil.