In the Middle of Your Story

As it happens, I do think about things besides tidying my house. 😂 My husband and I just got back from a three-day work conference. At the conference, one of the discussions we had was about hard times, and how we get through them. It used a book analogy, which of course resonated with me.

The people presenting talked about how inspiring it is to read stories of people who go through something really difficult and have amazing things happen to them as a result. They referred to that as the "turn the page" moment: we as readers get to turn the page and see the fabulous ending to their story. But what is it like for the people who are still in the middle of their story, when the page hasn't turned yet? How do you deal when you are still in the hard times, and you don't know if the happy ending will ever come?

I feel like that with my publication story. One day (I hope), you'll turn the page on my story to read that I signed with a new agent, who sold my book, which is now in bookstores everywhere. But for now, I'm in the middle part, where things look bleak and I'm left wondering if I'll ever turn that final page. It's not a fun place to be, in all honesty. I'm sure many of you have felt that way during a trial, or maybe even feel that way right now about something you're going through.

I don't have any answers about how to get through the middle of your story with your head up and your heart full. I wish I did. Everyone has to get through that part in their own way. I wrote a post at Operation Awesome a few years ago about "fighting the good fight of faith," and the attitude behind it that helped me. I reread it today. It was a good reminder to keep going. I don't know if I'll achieve my dreams if I keep going, but I do know that I never will if I stop.