X is the start of very few words, even when it should like it sound be. Sometimes writing can seem as hard and as difficult as finding a word that starts with the letter X. But keep at it, you will break through, and your book will be worth all the work you put into it.

Many people want to write a book, but few succeed in ever finishing their story, because they’re not prepared to write, even when it’s hard.

What do you do when you hit an extra hard spot in your writing?

God, my God, I cry out:

Your beloved needs You now

God, be near; calm my fear

... And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up

Your love is all that draws me in

[Chorus]

I will lift my eyes to the Maker

Of the mountains I can't climb

I will lift my eyes to the Calmer

Of the oceans raging wild

I will lift my eyes to the Healer

Of the hurt I hold inside

I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let mercy sing

Her melody over me

And God, right here all I bring

Is all of me

Your kindness is what pulls me up

Your love is all that draws me in

[Chorus]

I will lift my eyes to the Maker

Of the mountains I can't climb

I will lift my eyes to the Calmer

Of the oceans raging wild

I will lift my eyes to the Healer

Of the hurt I hold inside

I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

[Bridge]

'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever

The Lover I need to save me

'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God

So hold me now

[Chorus]

I will lift my eyes to the Maker

Of the mountains I can't climb

I will lift my eyes to the Calmer

Of the oceans raging wild

I will lift my eyes to the Healer

Of the hurt I hold inside

I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, I cry out:

Your beloved needs You now...

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I heard this song for the very first time.  I was seventeen and going through a very hard time in my life.  I seemed to be having constant health issues, life wasn’t going the way I wanted it, and life in general was just hard. 

I was home alone that day, getting some work done when the first strains of music for this song caught my attention.  The intro was so pretty that I stopped what I was doing and listened.  The first words of the song pulled me in, echoing my heart's cry.  When it finished, I was on the verge of tears it made my heart feel so good.

Even though there were still some hard times ahead, and more health issues to face, that song really encouraged me.  The nice thing was, it seemed to be everywhere over the next month or so.  I heard it often.  So many times when I was down, I would sing that song and it would lift my spirits.

Fast forward to the present, and life is going good; I haven’t had any major heath problems in a long time; I have a new job; and many other blessings.  So, life is great, but when listening to this song again, I was reminded of something very important; I need God just as much on my good days as on my bad ones.

Too often when things are going good, I rely on myself and my own strength.  However, I was reminded by this song that even when things are going well, I should still look to my maker for help for each new day.

Will you lift your eyes?

It is cold outside my window after all; we did have a hard freeze last night (well as hard of a freeze as you get in Texas).   The sky is bright blue with only a few little white clouds drifting along to paint a pretty picture.  The sun is just rising as I sit here at the table in my room, sipping teas, having just finished almost an hour of Bible reading.  What a wonderful morning.

Some of the best things in life are the simple pleasures that we are often too busy to enjoy.  Even I sometimes get so caught up in writer's deadlines, blogs posts, outlines and daily goals to stop for a few minutes and enjoy the stillness and beauty of a morning, a breezy and balmy afternoon, or a star-filled and quiet night.

Take the time today just to be still and enjoy the moment.

“Be still, and know that I am God….” Psalms 46:10 NIV

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;    do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalms 37:7 NIV

Outside is cold, and the wind is blowing.  I sit sipping tea doing my quiet time and writing in my journal; what a nice simple morning.

Instead of starting up my computer and beginning my writing for the day, I helped my mom make bread and had a talk with my sister; what a wonderful simple morning.

I usually get onto my favorite social network to keep up with good friends and be encouraged in my faith by them; instead I spent the time helping my brother get potatoes ready for baking on this simple morning.

Most mornings I feel the pressure to begin my day to get a lot done.  This simple morning, I ignored that and took the time to do things that were more important.  Things like friendship with my siblings, making a meal that we will all enjoy, and talking like only siblings can.

In our busy and electronic-filled lives we should take more time for the simple pleasures of life.  Sometimes, when we are so busy getting to-do lists done, We should take a morning off and enjoy what we have been missing.