Sometimes, as writers, we lose sight of the forest for the trees. Focused on the details of our writing life, we forget to rest in the shade of God’s perfect plan.
Over the last three years, I’ve struggled to see God’s plan for my career as a novelist—a struggle I’ve shared with only those closest to me. I journal sporadically, and a glance at entries from the past few years reveals a stream of seemingly unanswered questions: “What’s next, Lord? . . . What do you want me to write, Lord? . . . Why can’t I seem to write that book, Lord?”
Metaphorically, I’ve climbed a hundred trees in search of the forest.
Last week, I found myself in a clearing, the forest in full view.
If you feel a little lost in your writing life, if you’re surrounded by trees but can’t see the forest, I hope you’ll spend a few minutes with me. Maybe what I’ve rediscovered will serve you too.
Early Friday morning, March 24th, I wrote a newsletter for my readers, a newsletter I’d put off much too long. I’ve begun work on a novel they are anticipating, but it isn’t the novel I’m now writing.
On Saturday morning, I revisited the newsletter, not yet sent, and added a few paragraphs. I caught a few typos and rewrote a sentence or two. One sentence I rewrote included a lesson I’m learning and decided to share with my readers:
What I’ve learned—what I continue to learn as I reread my way from Genesis to Revelation, highlighting every passage that mentions a tree or a facet of a tree—is that God cares deeply about trees.
Originally, the sentence read:
. . . as I read my way through the Bible, highlighting . . .
Why the change? At the time, I didn’t know. I just liked the sound of “from Genesis to Revelation.”
Honestly, revisiting the newsletter was an unusual act. I create a lot of content quickly and then hand it off to members of my wonderful copyediting team, who apply their expertise to my text. I’d already posted the newsletter for editing, so making changes meant I was interfering with the team’s schedule. But for reasons I didn’t understand, I felt compelled to read it again and make some minor changes.
On Sunday morning, my day of rest, I picked up a new book I’d just begun reading, Reforesting Faith: What Trees Teach Us about the Nature of God and His Love for Us, by Matthew Sleeth, MD.
When I reached the bottom of page 17, I read these words written by Dr. Sleeth:
I read from Genesis to Revelation, . . .
I might’ve passed over that phrase without much thought, but because I’d just rewritten a sentence, changing “the Bible” to “from Genesis to Revelation,” the familiar phrase read like a road sign alerting me to something ahead. I slowed my pace, every nerve ending seemingly alert, and read the rest of the paragraph:
. . . underlining everything the Bible has to say about trees. And here’s what I found: God has an astounding fondness for trees.
What? I read the sentences again.
Then, with heart racing and tears welling, I set the book aside. Someone else has worn a path from Genesis to Revelation in search of trees? Oh, Lord . . .
If I were writing this story as a novel, it would begin in the middle of a challenging season nearly a decade ago. In the opening scene, the protagonist would have an odd, inexplicable encounter with a tree—an encounter rife with emotional conflict. The encounter would serve as the inciting incident that sets the story in motion.
But this isn’t fiction, and the details of the events that have unfolded since that encounter with the tree are too numerous to include here. Instead, I’ll simply share that during my quiet moment with Dr. Sleeth’s book on Sunday morning, the Spirit affirmed the direction I’m heading with my next novel.
A direction that has felt mostly uncharted. A path I feared I was wandering alone. A journey for which I’ve had no map.
In retrospect, as often happens, I now see that God’s plan was perfectly charted and that I’ve never wandered alone. At first, I thought my trek began with an odd encounter with a tree. But maybe that encounter stands as a marker on a road I began walking years before, a memorial to an encounter with God himself, an encounter eventually leading to a journey from Genesis to Revelation in search of trees.
As I look back now, I see many markers along the path I’ve wandered, places where God, unbeknownst to me then, was leading as he put pieces of his plan in place. A recent marker stands in my Fiction Crafters Cohort Facebook group. In response to a post I wrote, another writer recommended a book she’d read: Reforesting Faith.
Sometimes, as writers, we lose sight of the forest for the trees. We believe we’re meant to write, maybe even called to write. Then the path we’re following becomes overgrown, unclear. We get a little lost.
When we feel lost, we need only look back. Look for the markers of God’s work and goodness on the trail behind us. We need only remind ourselves that God is faithful. He is trustworthy. Then we can rest in the shade of his perfect plan.
Words For Writers
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This is very reassuring. I’m circling the book I need to write. I’ve written it as a teaching, but that teaching it’s in a format/an outline I had not planned to follow for my book. I now seem stuck. Prophetic words abound for more than 10 years. I need it done. I have hope in reading your post (by chance I might add) that I’ll see the forrest again.
Oh, Ginny. I am weeping with joy for you. This is so beautiful and just like our lovely Savior!
Like you, I’ve been struggling to understand if I was on God‘s path or not, and I’ve had similarly unmistakable spiritual taps on my shoulder as the Lord stands behind me and says “this is the way, walk in it,” as I turn to the right or the left.
Just yesterday, my author daughter asked me some pointed questions about my next book that really made me focus on God’s intention for it. Words I needed as a compass, words that guided me to a vital next step. Humbling words.
I can’t tell you how much your post means to me, this very moment, this very day. What you have written has given me such a sense of rightness and confirmation. I am *so* grateful you shared this. It really affirmed I’m in the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time. Big-time blessings!
Last week in a Ladies Bible study we were asked to write down a question we would like God to answer. Then we swapped questions to pray over for the week. I asked what book idea I needed to focus on in my next planning phase. That was on Monday night. On Wednesday night I went to Bible study and the pastor taught on disciplining church leaders. As he talked, I realized that was the focus of a novel I started a couple of decades ago, but never finished. On top of that, I realized it also related to my new pastor’s faith story, which is giving a new angle to the story. I had to wait until I met him and heard his story in order to finish the book. Now it’s time.
What encouragement this blog gives me! I love your perspective that seeing similarities means you’re on the right track. You’re not alone. God is leading. That is such an inclusive way of thinking–We (God, me, the family of God) are in this together, all working to advance the Kingdom of God, increasing and expanding His family. I must admit that every time I see that someone else has written what I felt God had given me to write, I immediately want to give up. “It’s already been done,” I think. “I must not have acted quickly enough when God revealed it to me.” Or, “I failed.” I have thought of it more as a competition than a team event. This happened to me again just a few weeks ago, when I came across a published Bible study that had almost the exact same outline as the one I’ve been ‘working’ on for the past three years. I felt defeated. Someone else had won. Thank you, Ginny, for a new perspective. I need to write this, too. These are obviously God’s thoughts, His heart to communicate to a world in need. Some I can reach who may never pick up that published book. Some ways I may state it that God will use to resonate with one of His precious children. We are all invited to participate, and we can trust that God will use our efforts. He is leading the way for all of us. God bless you!
This is a helpful reflection that connects to my own struggles.
Ginny, I’m where you were. What next, Lord? Should I write another book? I do feel a bit lost now that the book has launched, but I’m leaning in to see where the Spirit leads. I have a handful of ideas in my head, but nothing stands out. I KNOW that God will show me the way. It’s hard to be patient.
Thank you for your transparency in your email. I love hearing about your journey and I can’t wait to read your next book!
I’m so encouraged by your words today. you’ve reminded me that God always is and will be in control. He works in ways we can’t see until we can! Thank you.
What a beautiful journey and post. It made me think of Isaiah 42:16, which says, “ I will lead the blind by ways they have not known; along unfamiliar paths, I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them, and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do. I will not forsake them.” Love you Ginny! Pamela. BTW, I LOVE trees. There is so much we can learn from them. ♥️
Amen! Sometimes I wonder if He leaves us wandering and wandering down the path, searching, so when we finally reach the peak in the wilderness and the vision He has for us is clear we shout “Hallelujah” from the top of our lungs.
I agree with God’s love of trees and all their secrets. My favorite passage is Psalms 1 about a person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (I believe this for you!)
In fact, this passage resonated with me so much years ago it’s why I call my character “Willow” until the branches of her memory return.
Anyhow, I am praying for YOU Ginny, that you will write THE book on your heart, the one with roots starting to rise under your feet. I pray it’ll be different from all of your other books and something God can say only through your unique experience, giftings -land perspective … because your desire is so great and because He wants to give you the desires of your heart.
Thank you for sharing this, Ginny! I believe God planted this writing on your heart to share. Your words are a confirmation, a Holy Spirit echo of what I’ve been sensing him saying to me. I’ve been in a similar place, feeling somewhat lost in my writing after many years, trying to figure out what he has in mind, particularly with fiction. I’ve struggled with versions of a novel, and it keeps nagging at me not to give up on it.
For numerous reasons your comment that “when we feel lost, we need only look back” is ringing with the Holy Spirit’s echo, telling me to pay attention. The idea I’ve been considering for restructuring the story is developing, and I believe I should follow that leading and see where God takes it.
Thank you! I love when God sends echoes to guide us and confirm that we did hear him correctly. Many blessings on your writing.
I love this ,Ginny. I am currently trying to figure out my direction for my blog/Webcite and my writing as a whole. I LOVE plants and soil and the natural world. it’s amazing how God created soil (which is alive ) and plant roots to co-exist in symbiotic amazingness. I love God’s word, how it is alive and active and how the Spirit speaks. and he speaks through nature. I’ve been trying to artificially connect the 2 but God keeps showing me through other writers ( you are one,Lore Ferguson Wilbert is another) that I don’t need to. It’s so natural ( sounds clique,sorry) He speaks to us through his creation,down to the molecules and nitty gritty science and in the gentle breezes, a delicate,intricate flower, he speaks His love and joy. he gives us words that are beyond words.
I’m not sure this makes sense.
thank you for adding to the conversation.
I thoroughly enjoyed your newsletter and hearing glimpses of the story that is leading to your next novel! Wow! God is so amazing how he works; He really IS the master Creator! I’m glad you have more affirmation and direction for your next novel.
Looking forward to God’s restoration of literal trees in heaven. 😊
Thank you! These were words I needed to hear. May God bless your journey and the book to come.
Thank you! I’ve been wandering through a thick forest for awhile now wondering if I will ever find my way out!
Hi Ginny,
Thanks for your post. I have been feeling lost in the trees, and your words have given me faith in God’s plan to lead me where I need to go.
Warmly,
Kirstie
What a beautiful post, Ginny! I found myself reading and rereading lines and identifying with you completely – not in the search for trees, but for God’s markers and direction. Yes, as a writer, I have lost sight of the forest for the trees. Thank you for this word of encouragement and direction. It’s just what I needed today to get back to writing my book! Love and blessings to you 💗
Thank you, dear Ginny, for these beautiful and encouraging words.
As a lover of God, creation, and journals, this spoke deeply to me.
Blessings – Wendy Mac
Oh Ginny!!! I love how God spoke to you in such an intricate, tender way. This morning, I walked our property and God clearly spoke to me through the trees. I’m so intrigued about what He is saying to you!!
Such a beautiful testimony, Ginny. Thank you for sharing it and reminding me that even in our seeming wandering we may be on exactly the path we need to travel. God has met me with similar “coincidences” so many times, and I love that feeling of being surrounded by His attention and having that virtual/spiritual hug of affirmation.