The dreaded "W" word.

Wait.

The mere word brings terror to the soul, does it not?

Why is waiting so hard? Some say its because we live in a "microwave" generation, and are spoiled and accustomed to having everything immediately. That's partly true, but I think in some cases, its more of a concern you wanting to relieve. Or a hope you are wanting to come true so you can move on.

My family is waiting and hoping for several things right now. We're waiting and hoping for my mother-in-law to take a significant step to recovery, and get out of the nursing home we moved her in the other week and into her own apartment or house where she can be self-sufficient and enjoy life again. Heck, even TALK again would be a huge blessing. God can easily do that, but so far He hasn't. So we wait. And we hope.

My husband was laid off as many of you know from a local fire department because of irresponsible city budget cuts. So we're waiting to hear back from the other departments he has interview with, and hoping a job comes up soon so we don't have to start paying bills with a credit card or something else equally desperate. (yikes!) We have a lot of leads, but nothing official. So we wait. And we hope.

I think the hardest part about waiting is what to do in the meantime. Do you trust God will provide and keep living like everything is okay? Do you take a minimum wage job to try to supplement even a quarter of what you were making? Do you give up hope or keep it? Do you pray harder or less? What do you DO?

The same quesitons apply to our writing. Sometimes the hardest part is when the manuscript you've slaved over is mailed off. You shut the lid on the mailbox and....now what? Do you start another book? Do you wait until you hear if the publisher/agent likes this one? Do you write creative short stories to keep the juices flowing without committing to another full length novel until you know if you suck? These are the questions that linger!

What do you think the answers are?

Regarding writing, I think its important to keep writing. Take a few days to do something fun to celebrate the send-off of your "baby", but then get back to it. Writing is a discipline of sorts and if you lose momentum, its hard to get it back. Do what works best for you, but try to keep writing as you wait. (and tell yourself you don't suck!)

I'm waiting to hear back about book stuff right now, too, and am in limbo. Do I continue with a new pitch proposal in case I get "bad" news? Do I keep working on the story I'm waiting to hear back about with the hopes they want to see a full? Do I hide under the covers until all my personal problems go away and I can focus?

As much as I love sleep and my bed, I know the answer to that last one is a resounding NO. Hiding and worry accomplishes NOTHING. But prayer and hope and faith can move mountains. We've all got a mountain of some proportion in our way. Will you join me today in rolling up our sleeves and pushing? Toss those covers back and get to work, on whatever your project might be. I'll be doing the same.

And keep praying and hoping!!