God Uses Humans

I wrote an article on Monday and submitted it to LIVE editor. On Friday I received a short note of acceptance and “you will receive payment shortly.” The same thing happened the next week. On Friday I did a Hallelujah Praise dance when a second letter arrived with promised payment.

When the check arrived I set it on the kitchen table for husband to drool over. Two days later the check still sat on the table, I figured we’d drop it by the bank on Monday.

Only Monday the carpet cleaners were to arrive at 10 a.m. Husband “invited” me to help him remove the furniture. We never made it to the bank.

The carpets didn’t dry. Monday night, despite the disarray I decided to fill out a deposit slip for the LIVE check, only I couldn’t find the check. I scoured the kitchen from refrigerator to pantry. From table top to floor. Leafed through a billion papers and moved lamps, books, photos and magazines. No check.

LESSON: A check is money. No matter the amount, it should be treated like a precious commodity, not an award to be ogled. Several people called Monday evening. I whined to each one about my lost check. All promised to pray. At 10 p.m. I said, “Hon, when you lose something, you don’t sleep.” He got involved. Looked in all the places I looked, but when he knelt on the floor he saw the check lodged under a chair.

There is something about his humbled position that really touched me. I had looked on the floor, but not like he did. I’d stooped from the waist to give a cursory glance under the table. I did not kneel.

Believe me, I did pray for the Lord’s help and I asked all those friends to pray I’d find the lost check, but when husband cared enough to get involved, I felt better. It seemed like he gave me a beautiful gift when I saw him get on his knees—maybe because he did more than just a mere ‘lookseecan’tfind’ type help.

Amazing how one lost check touched my heart?
Another lesson learned: God answers prayer in interesting ways. I might have found the check myself, but I’d have missed the gift of grace from my “I do care for your needs” husband.

Keep your eyes open—God is using a human to answer one of your prayer requests today.

Speaking of Speaking

How did you get over the fear of speaking before people? That question reminds me of years ago when husband would ask, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” He’d wait a bit and then say, “Practice baby. Practice.” That’s the way to be the best, speaker, too. Keep going.

I became a speaker when pushed lovingly by my husband, and the Lord, to fill positions in the church. Gary decided to enter the ministry 12 years after we were married. While he attended Bible College, I completed classes offered to the wives and piano lessons, too. I am an extrovert, but unlike most, I struggle with shyness. (Well I did at one time and still do if I’m in unfamiliar territory.)

Ministry in small churches is a great way to overcome a lot of self. Forced to lead the music, play the piano and direct the choir—in one church I did all three—teaches you to care for others and forget self.

At one point, I asked a piano instructor, “How do I get over being so nervous. I’m sure I’ll blunder.”

He answered, “Why do you think people come to listen for your mistakes? Don’t focus on yourself. Your congregation (audience) is your best friend. Your champion.”

This last fall (a hundred years after those church settings), I spoke in several churches. I felt so inadequate, positive I had nothing new to say. My husband wisely said, “There may be only one person, but that one person has never heard your message before.”

After each speaking engagement I heard, “The Lord sent you here for me.” I may not be the best speaker, but I’m the one the Lord sent to do that job.

Kat still in Omaha

I'm a Wannabe Superwoman

HOW DO I FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORK OVERTIME, clean house, keep the kitchen table free from writing trivia, backup the computer, practice music with husband daily, play chess over the evening meal, finish my goals, sleep (what? Who wants to sleep? It is such a time waster). And of course, start each day with the Lord.

Obviously I couldn’t do all the above, but I tried. I kept going for a time, but then I found myself crabby at work. No, I didn’t instigate any discord or spout off with bad words, but I didn’t find the joy in my job.

Before long I realized I had my list backwards. The “And of course, start each day with the Lord” needed to be first on my list and first in my day.

There are those night people who find their quiet time before bed. Me, I’m a morning person. I’m freshest early in the day so I give my freshest bestest me to the Lord and honestly, I do find more minutes in the day.

Never ever understood the tithing principle but I know from experience that when I give 10% off the first of our dollars, God increases the 90% to take care of our needs. It’s the same way with time—give him the best of your hours and He helps you work with greater peace.

Did I say you will be Superwoman? Naw, but try my approach. It works.

Have a peace filled day,
Kat
www.katcrawford.com

STRONGER BIO NEEDED, PLEASE!

An online writer’s group discussed the importance of a well-rounded BIO. After I read the comments by professionals, I pulled out my stack of anthologies and read the short bio listed in the back.

What did I learn? It is important to write facts pertaining to the manuscript attached. You do not need a chronological bio with most submissions.

Most editors don’t need to know Kat Crawford is married for 49 years next Monday. She is still dedicated to her childhood sweetheart. She started chasing him the summer she turned ten and caught him when she turned 17. The Crawford’s have three children and six grandchildren.

Well, actually, if I were writing an article about grand parenting, that might be all right. Or if I wanted to show the importance of commitment in marriage, it might be the most important sentence in the bio....but for the anthology articles, it really doesn’t pertain to the material submitted.

Always write a bio in third person. Always.

I do believe I’ll write a cleaner, more concise bio next time around.

Just a bit smarter,
Kat

Brainstorming Works

When a young author suggested our writers group hold a brainstorm session, I liked the idea. I’m old enough to be her grandmother and the idea of having a group of youngsters around sounded like a much needed evening to revive my tired mind.

I set the date for our brainstorm session. Then one by one the youngsters of Kat’s Kritters (critique group) emailed. They were committed to other activities.

Disappointment set in when I realized I’d have to think hard to inspire myself and the two ladies I expected to come—both of them older than me.

I moaned to husband, “Hon, I used to think creatively. Now I’m old. I see the same people, sit in the same pew, eat with the same co-workers. My world is too small to think in a ‘stormy brain.’ Husband laughed at me, but offered no solution.

At 6 p.m. on the night of the B-storm, I put my fingers on my keyboard and said, “Lord, I’m dry and boring.” Then ideas poured from my mind. In less than thirty minutes, I’d created enough material to stir the old fires in the tired minds.

The clock struck 7. No one showed. I quick jotted more mind-boggling-ideas and the old embers began to flame.

At 7:30, a woman who attended our writers group only once arrived. We didn’t bother with my fire starters, we shared and energized each other. The evening felt like a God planned event.

I learned I’m not dead yet, just thought I might be dying.

Signing out, one fired up Kat

When did I start to write?

When did I start to write?

In the seventh grade, a teacher said I had a natural gift for writing. That encouragement never left me, however, being shy and fearful got in the way for many years. When my husband entered full-time ministry, I had open doors of opportunity.

“Honey, we need a newsletter.”

“Honey, we need a church drama.”

“Honey, we need SS materials that fit our particular church needs.”

Then in our first pastorate another preacher’s wife invited me to ‘help her’ write a devotional for the women. My friend did not work fast enough for me so I wrote my own. The women liked the booklet and asked for more.

When we moved to another town, the newspaper asked for a weekly devotional. Husband said, “Honey, you have the gift.” I wrote Sunshine and Smiles for two years. The community enjoyed the column, but when I look at them now I cringe, I used the knowledge I had at the time and God blessed the words.

At that time I met Steve and Janet Bly—they read my work, applauded my efforts, encouraged me and eventually, because of those two generous writers, the Standard published my article Secret Secret Sister. (Spent my first check three times. Grin.)

That is the beginning—my husband is still my biggest encouragement. He is also my WIP—smile.

Kat in Omaha
www.pmpawareness.org
www.katcrawford.com

Do you remember watching a child take those first steps? Their hands flail around as they grope air to balance themselves on tiny feet while they take those baby steps.

For three hours this afternoon I’ve messed around taking funny little baby steps while trying to build a blog. Actually, this is my fourth attempt at my first post.

I started writing years ago. I’ve already been through my first submissions to editors and publishers. I’m way beyond the first rejection letter, firs sale and the first critique group. Yet writing is fresh and new to me daily and today I’m back at the beginning: my first post on my first blog. I feel excited probably because I learned several lessons in the process.

• I tend to make things hard—hey, I couldn’t remember my password between my visits to the posting board.
• I’d like cutsy stuff on the screen and spent two hours trying to load a photo that turned out way bigger than anyone could see and who cares?
• Today’s experience reminded me of years ago when I spent a whole day creating a cover for a Woman’s Devotional only to find out the women read through it once. When I finally wised up and realized the ladies didn’t care about the cover, I spent more time on the content. What I learned is they enjoyed the insides—the meat of the message more than the package.
• Today’s first isn’t a best seller, it won’t reach any great markets in life, but it is my beginning of greater things to come.

Stop by again to hear STRAIGHT FROM THE LION’S MOUTH,

The Lionhearted Kat