A Year in Reflection
Thursday November 25, 2010
AS I LOOK BACK upon the year that has passed since last Thanksgiving I cannot help but be grateful. I’ve faced many challenges, personally, professionally, financially and in general life–but throughout it all, like an anchor, three things have grounded me, held me in place amidst the torrent that is sometimes referred to as life: My family, my God, and my friends.
This very time last year, I went through a crisis as I lost my job as Director of Operations (11 years in the IT field) , the income and benefits of which my family relied upon heavily. I had just returned from the professional writers Masterclass held by Dean W. Smith, and Kristine Kathryn Rusch in Oregon, where it became clear to me that I should seriously pursue writing as my career.
So during this time of lost income, during the downturned economy, my beautiful wife and children encouraged me to keep doing what I was passionate about: writing. Through much prayer and encouragement, we decided as a family to make the necessary sacrifices to make full-time writing a reality. To that end, we sold our big, beautiful house and downsized. We adjusted schedules and lifestyles by cutting our budget.
One thing I am grateful for, besides the time afforded to write, is the time I spent in prayer, reading of Scripture, and meditating on the Word. It was during those times of devotion that many great ideas (I daresay, all the ideas that proved successful) came to me.
You see, it wasn’t just the last year that we’ve been on a journey to our destiny. It’s actually been about seven years. It started with the passing of my mother. Then the loss of a beloved family pet, the passing of my wife’s mother, the loss of my job after eleven years in the field, and the downsizing of our home and lifestyle.
During this time, however, we never stopped our giving. We as a family believe in a practice called tithing, in which one gives 10% of their increase to God, as an act of stewardship, thanksgiving and faith. The premise is that everything belongs to the Almighty, the creator. Our ability to get wealth, make money, feed our families is from Him. So to honor Him, we offer a tenth of our increase to build His house, the church. I could write an entire book on this, but suffice it so say, it is a true act of faith (putting your money where your mouth and heart are.) But we also believe that by honoring God with our tithes and offerings above it, we will not be short-changed, but in fact, rewarded with a lot more, so we can bless others with the increase promised in the Bible in the third chapter of the book of Malachi.
During this exodus from the land of plenty (where we used to live), we have simplified a great deal. But we have also experienced manifold increase in friends from our church, and watched so many blessings poured into their lives as we prayed together and encouraged one another. Many breakthroughs, such as new jobs, business success, restored relationships, healing of infirmity, all of which were miraculous and unmistakably divine providence.
My marriage is stronger than ever too. My wife and I often reflect that after so many years of marriage, we still are deeply in love, and truly grateful for each other’s presence in our lives. My children are growing in body, spirit, and character too. I wish I could claim credit, but really, it’s a blessing from above.
One of the most exciting thing that’s happened in this past year is the publication of my novel BEYOND JUSTICE. I had no idea how it would be received. But I put it in God’s hands, and said “Thy will be done…”
Today, a year after I lost my job, BEYOND JUSTICE is a #1 Bestseller in multiple categories on Barnes & Noble. Again, I honestly can’t take the credit. This is not false modesty, believe me. It’s the truth. The ideas for this book came by way of inspiration. And the writing of it, though it took my effort, was also something I feel came from divine providence. Even the people that came into my life (look at the acknowledgments, a long list) all contributed to the development of this book, through feedback, advice, encouragement and prayer.
It’s been a tough journey, but an exciting one. True, I’ve experienced so much loss, but look at what I’ve gained. Friends, better relationships with my wife, kids, God. I would not trade the experience for anything in the world.
We’ve yet to cross the river Jordan, but I can almost see and taste the land of milk and honey!
Joshua Graham is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, winner of the International Book Award and Forward National Literature Award. His thrillers include DARKROOM, LATENT IMAGE and BEYOND JUSTICE, and TERMINUS. Graham's works have been characterized as thought-provoking page-turners.
Legal Notice: All information on this website and blog are from Mr. Graham's personal experience and insight and should not be viewed in any way, directly or inferred, as qualified professional advice.
All creative writing on this website or Mr. Graham's books: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. (novels, short stories)