Sabbatical

Have you ever gotten so caught up in something that you let go of the most important? That happened to me with the release of my first two books. I had every intention of handling all my responsibilities and opportunities. Did I tell you I’m big on responsibility? I pretty much feel like I’m responsible for everything around me. And everything everyone else thinks I out to do. I know. It’s not a healthy outlook. God is helping me change my perspective, but there you have it. The mindset that bogged me down.

I have heard it said that if you see someone who looks like they have it all, they’ve sacrificed something to get there. I never came close to looking like I had it all (not for lack of trying), but I attest to the fact that something always suffers if you try to go that route. Especially if you try on your own!  And it’s usually not something bad that suffers. Our choices are typically not a matter of choosing between good and bad. It’s more often choosing between good, better and best. In my case, the urgent usually won out, leaving the most important in the looser’s circle.

After Where Healing Starts released last year, my husband encouraged me to take a sabbatical. To just stop. Rest. Take stock of where I was and where I wanted to go. I did so for a couple of months then hosted a blog party here on my website during December. In January, I was done. I had nothing left to invest so I backed off. Even though I had one project I was committed to working on, in all other ways writing, I pretty much stopped.

I thought my sabbatical would be a couple months into the new year. But as I leaned in to discover God’s priorities, taking care of first things first, I found all things writing pushed to the back of the line. Only recently have I tiptoed closer to finishing the third book in my series and rejoining the online world. And I do so with a bit of trepidation.

To prevent getting lost along the way, I intend to (do my best to) remember some things I learned this year.

  1. I don’t have to meet everyone else’s expectations.
  2. I don’t have to follow all advice given by the experts in marketing.
  3. I’m not responsible for everything and everyone around me.
  4. There are seasons for various priorities in my life.
  5. Understanding God’s purpose for me will direct my choices.

I’m looking forward to sharing more of what I learned this year of sabbatical. To encourage you to stand, grow and thrive in your journey!

PS: One book that really helped to gain a better perspective about my choices was Essentialism by Greg McKeown. Greg gives you a road map to making the best choices possible. I highly recommend his book.

Have you ever struggled between making good, better & best choices? How did you determine the best choice?

 

About Angela D. Meyer

Angela D. Meyer writes fiction that showcases God’s ability to redeem and restore the brokenness in our lives. She is the author of This Side of Yesterday, The Jukebox Cafe (a part of Hope is Born: A Mosaic Christmas Anthology) and the Applewood Hill series. Angela is a member of American Christian Fiction Authors and has served on the leadership team of her local writers’ group, Wordsowers. Angela currently lives in NE with her husband. They have two children, both of whom they homeschooled and graduated. Lucy, a green eyed, orange tabby, who loves popcorn rounds out their family. Angela enjoys sunrises and sunsets, the ocean when she gets a chance to visit, and hopes to ride in a hot air balloon someday.

7 comments on “Sabbatical

  1. I’ve missed you Angela. Thought you must be busy cranking out another book. I’ve made some changes too with writing. Let’s do coffee sometime soon. We can share our stories. ❤️ Karen Cameron

  2. Angela – this is so encouraging to someone starting out! These days, every time I feel overwhelmed I’m trying a new tactic. I ‘gift-wrap’ whatever I’m feeling at the moment (and I mean everything) and offer it to the Father. I trust that whatever will happen next is part of His will for me. There are always surprises (some to rest in and some to grow into), but I find peace knowing all is in His capable hands (kind of like #5 on your list). Happy writing – whatever pace it takes or path it travels!

  3. Ohhhh was this good and good to hear from you. Makes me curious for the ‘back story’ of this blog, but I won’t ask . Hugs, and prayers. Can’t answer the question here… too big, but certainly thought provoking. Similar book thought was ‘the Best Yes’ by Lysa Turkestan.

  4. I’ve missed you and our coffee meetings, too, but then that’s my fault and not yours. Taking a break is good… a pause to refresh and regroup. Plus, your family is first and foremost in our ministries of service to the Kingdom. And it is okay to let go and let God bring other people in to help you in various ways. Miss you lots.

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