This year I’m going to make every effort to finish my book.

I’ve been working on a memoir for four years, which has been challenging.

First, I had to learn the writing craft. Then, I had to learn about memoir writing. After that, I had to write the hard stories. But I finished my first draft in January 2023 and then I stopped writing.

After retirement last year, it’s like I had to reset my life. Strange, how I worked long hours yet found time to care for my family, write and exercise. Now that I’m home full time I find it hard to do any of those things. It takes plenty of effort just to get out of bed.

Resetting was good though. I planted a kitchen and flower garden that not only perks up my yard but my spirit. When I gaze out my window and spot the butterflies and bees flitting through my flowers, I must acknowledge God’s goodness and beauty in creation. I’m satisfied with this season of life.

Create is my word for this year and writing is the first goal on the agenda. And best of all, I’m rewriting my memoir as a work of fiction. I believe writing my story as fiction is the best way to emphasize God’s redemptive work in my life.

Writing fiction, for me is hard. But I’ve recognized that God wants us to do hard things. Not to deter us but to rely on Him for success.

As I write this I recall these words in Genesis: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

No, nothing is too hard for the Lord.

In my writing slump, I questioned my calling to write. I thought about quitting, but the Lord put it on my heart not to quit but to work with Him.

So I’m going to live out Ephesians 2:10, do the work, make that effort, and complete my book.

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up for the prompt, Effort.