Perseverance

I don't mean to complain, but I am on day six of reading my 300 page manuscript cover to cover each day...and I am still finding mistakes.They are mostly small things, like misplaced commas, but some are pretty major, like screwed up time frames of events that couldn't possibly have occurred the way I wrote it. In general, the fixes have been easy, just adding a clarifying sentence here and there, but I am really weary of all this time spent in front of a computer screen.

The book is about my favorite breed of dogs, Carolina Dogs. A pack of feral dogs are the heroes of the story. They help solve a murder that completely befuddles and shakes a small rural town. Mostly, it is a book about God, however. I totally immersed myself in the characters, and am already thinking of what adventures I could come up with for a sequel because I don't want to say goodbye to my imaginary friends.

But first, I have to get through this trial of editing!

Perseverance is a great character trait, and the only way to develop it is by living through situations where you must persevere. No one is born with perseverance. It is one of those skills you only attain through experience, through on-the-job training. Sadly, most good character qualities are only developed, rarely just handed to us on a silver platter. For example, did you know that George Washington, who is lovingly regarded as one of the most noble, even-tempered leaders our country ever knew, had an explosive temper problem? He decided at a young age that he would not grow up remaining a hot-tempered man and he consciously and systematically worked on controlling his temper.

As I was walking my own Carolina Dog yesterday, after my full day of reviewing my flawed manuscript, I was despondent. In fact, this is the word for word note I sent to my sister:
I have downloaded the files to publish 6 times now. Each time, when they are approved, I reread all 300 pages, and each time find mistakes. At this point, I feel it is a stupid, preachy book and wonder why I am bothering to ever write another stupid word or ever thought I could or should write a book. Uploading new files now, and then I am done. I will go to jail for being the worst writer ever because they feel it best to lock me far away from any possibility of ever committing such a crime again.

So, there you have it. Optimism and determination bites the dust! Before you berate me for my lousy attitude, look at these words from the Bible:
"It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers."

Do you know who said that? The same person who performed 16 miracles, listed with references here:
Brought Drought to the land 1Kings 17:1-: James 5:17
Meal and oil multiplied 1 Kings 17:14
Child restored to life 1 Kings 17:22
Sacrifice consumed by fire 1 Kings 18:38
Captains and men slain by fire 2 Kings 1:10
Rain brought to end drought  1 Kings 18:41
Water of Jordan divided 2 Kings 2:8

Those miracles were performed, and those words of utter discouragement were uttered by Elijah, one of the great prophets of God. Right after he defeated the false prophets of Baal in an astonishing show of faith and God's power, He uttered those dejected words. At least, I am not alone in discouragement.

Remember, we are most vulnerable to Satan's attacks right before and right after a great victory for God. We must persevere. We must. God has a plan, and if we give up, His plans will always succeed, but we will miss the blessing.

********************************
1 Kings 19: 13-18
And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." 15 And the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel- meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."