Rejection and Then Again…
It came. The e-mail. The one I have been waiting over seven months for. The e-mail from the publisher.
You know the publisher who accepted my book proposal last July at the SheSpeaks (writing/speaking) conference. Yes that e-mail. The one in the first few weeks that I waited with bated breath to come. I would open my e-mail ten, twenty times a day praying for an answer. Then I began to relax a bit. I only looked for it about five times a day. Slowly I stopped really looking for it. I short of hoped it would come, but doubted it would. Seriously just this week I began to wonder if I accidentally deleted it.
But it did come, today. After writing and blogging about dreams and God’s direction and plan for them. After writing about wrestling with God. God prepared me for receiving that e-mail.
The editor who wrote said e-mail is a precious woman of God and I could not imagine a more gracious response. Bottom line, they are not looking for new authors. So no book deal.
Surprisingly I didn’t cry or tear up. I felt disappointed, but I felt peace. I remembered a quote (I have no idea who said this so sorry I can’t give credit), “Man’s rejection is God’s protection.” So begins my counting again.
276. God’s plans are better than mine.
277. Daffodils blooming in my yard.
278. My husband’s beautiful heart.
279. My little man’s laugh.
280. Chubby hands doing it “myself.”
281. Lots of windows in my kitchen when I broil steak and send plums of smoke into the house.
282. The steak was not burned.
283. My girls packed their own lunches for school tonight.
284. Sweet offerings of wild flowers from my girls when I was feeling under the weather today.
285. My little man brought me a blanket when I wasn’t feeling well.
286. God’s word easily accessible.
287. Scotch tape solves lots of issues for my kids.
289. Spring breezes through open windows.
290. March Madness…Rock Chalk Jayhawk KU! I LOVE basketball!
291. Cheese.
292. Three little voices raised in excitement.
293. My husband’s deep voice that reassures me, my kids, and his patients.
294. Hearing my husband being praised.
295. God is there in Japan, He is comforting, loving, and working in that country.
296. Friends who understand I do not have the organizing gene and don’t try to change me.
297. All you who read my blogs. You all bless me!
298. Learning to enjoy the process.
299. The smell of my washer after I use that washer cleaner in it.
300. Long distance friends…The kind that no matter how long it has been it seems like just yesterday.
What are you thankful for?
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Oh, Angela…I am sorry to hear of the “no”…and although I haven’t ever submitted anything, I can imagine the saddness. Your quote, “Man’s rejection is God’s protection” is awesome! I also love your list and just recently started reading the book One Thousand Gifts.
Hope your Monday is a great one!
I am thankful I have a Father in heaven who knows what I need better than I do. His timing, plans, and direction are perfect. He knows exactly what I need. Although I am disappointed I am really not sad. He has something else, something better in mind and I can rest in that.
Praying you have a wonderful Monday too!
I’m so sorry, Angela. I’ve been on the receiving end of more than one of those e-mails. But I take comfort in this truth: God’s plans and purposes for me will stand.
“Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.” – Proverbs 19:21
You keep dreaming. Keep writing. Keep believing. His plans for you have not changed, and His timing is perfect.
Thank you Julie. I am really doing so great. God in me is doing great I guess. I am really excited about what God will do now. It is more fun seeing Him do it His way than it is in my carefully mapped out plan in my head. His ways are always better. 😉
Keep moving forward, Angela!!! God’s timing is perfect. This morning I am thankful for a house, with piles of constant laundry, a car that starts, and a clean dog.
Thanks Jeri Beth. I am so glad God works out perfectly! And I am so glad for a house with messy counters, laundry piles, etc too. Thanks for sharing!
Well, I guess God has another purpose in mind for your idea, Miss Angela.
I’m thankful for the opportunity that Brother Travis has given me. He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. =)
Daniel…You are right. God is doing His thing in His way…Isn’t He? So glad you have a new offer from Pastor Travis! Fun times!
I heard that quote at SheSpeaks. I believe it originated from Rob Eager (Wildfire Marketing), but was also used by Lysa TerKeurst.
I should have it framed. 😉
So true. Frame it and hang it everywhere. 😉
Wow, thanks for openly sharing with us the reply regarding your book. You are so “real” and that is why we can relate so much to you! So glad you’re doing well and I know everything will fall into place in His timing and His way! Like the others said, please KEEP writing! It is one of your many giftings and He is using you!!!!!
Love you! 🙂
Thanks Angela. I am so glad that I can share the journey God has me on. It is a blessing to me and I pray it blesses others. Thank you for the encouragement about writing.
I’m thankful for friends that are walking through life with the same struggles and can encourage one another! 🙂 My rejection email came in December and I blogged about it as well, but rejection is something that is a continual battle for me. Thank you for your encouragement and your energy that is so contagious! I am reminded of Hebrews 10:24-25 – “as we spur one another on…and encourage one another – and all the more as you [we] see the Day approaching.” Counting my blessings!
Oh Christy…I think it is so wonderful to encourage each other on as we do what God has called us to do. Thank you so much for walking this journey with me! I appreciate you!
Now I want to read the manuscript!!!! I feel like I’m hanging on to something here and don’t even know what it is!!!!
Your post was so honest and open today. I could feel your heart in it! And you are so right — God does have a plan all worked out for you and it is a good one. I love to write, too. Never sent in a manuscript, though. I admire your courage and strength to send yours in and to risk rejection. I feel ashamed that I never took the risk and hid my light under a bushel.
Believe me, I am so thankful for your post today. Don’t ever stop or give up on something that the Lord has laid on your heart. He will use you, use what you write, give you more to say and ways to say it! Be willing to sacrifice what is good today for what tomorrow might be the best He has to give you! You won’t be sorry!
Cora, It is never too late. If God is calling you to do it…Do it! Get a manuscript done and find someone to read it… 😉
I have not finished the book. It is only a book proposal (non-fiction). However I am still writing the book…Working on chapter 7 of 10. Praying God uses it for His glory whatever that looks like.
Thanks for encouraging me and stopping by. I hope you come back soon!