Focus Friday: Let's Focus on Writing a Book

Have you ever watched a young kid work up the courage to jump off a diving board?

The child shifts nervously and does a few practice bounces. Their arms move as if they want to jump, but it doesn't happen. You call your encouragement from down in the water: "You can do it! Come on!"

( Not me. Image from http://www.conceptualdynamics.com/files/partnewt/partnewt_fbd_cex1.JPG)

You just know that kid is going to love the thrill of jumping in, but they have to work up the courage to finally leave the safety of the diving board and take the plunge.

Well, friends, I'm ready to jump.

I'm sick of saying I'm going to write a book someday. I have lots of people cheering me on and urging me to do it. I see facebook posts from author friends having book launch parties and holding their brand new books. They talk about the hard parts - the deadlines and the editing - but they also rave about the thrill of touching someone's life through their writing. I want to do that.

So it's time.

My working title is "Staying Away From the Edge" and it's about depression. I'll share my experience with going over the edge, but I also plan to share other people's stories and lots of ideas for staying away from the edge and remaining emotionally healthy.

I'm focusing on it here so you'll hold me accountable. If all of my loyal readers know I'm writing, maybe that will keep me going to the end.

I've been thinking and praying about this and I'd like to go a step further. I'm wondering if a few of you would be willing to pray for me as I write. Maybe you can shoot me a facebook message every once in a while and ask how it's going. I have a plan for getting a first draft done by June 2, but I know that I could be sidetracked by lots of distractions and doubts if I don't have people praying for me.

You can also help me write it by sending me any thoughts you have about depression and how you stay healthy emotionally. Send it to: nestrobynmulder @ gmail.com

Maybe there's something you've been talking about doing for far too long. Friends, it's time to take the leap. Tell me about it and I'll pray for you, too. 

"Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you [in a book?] what he has done for me." (Psalm 66:16 NIV)

Are you standing at the end of the diving board trying to work up the courage to jump? How can focusing on God help you to finally take that leap?