by Cathy Baker
While traveling home from the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian’s Conference last year, I sensed very clearly that “play time” was over. Not that I’d viewed it as such but I’d wasted spent a lot of time debating with myself if writing was where God wanted me to spend His time. Through a series of confirmations at BRMCWC, I left feeling confident I was exactly where He wanted me to be.
Within weeks of returning from the conference, my husband and I began discussing selling our home. The result was a seven-month pilgrimage that, in the end, played out more like a devilish detour. During that time, I shifted almost everything else—writing, meeting with friends, attending writing group—to the sidelines of life.
When 2014 rolled around, I spotted Register for BRMCWC on my calendar, but ignored it. I didn’t feel I’d earned it. This past year was to be different. It wasn’t. I was going to write every single day—but I didn’t. Despite having my poetry published in two books last year, I felt like a total failure. The thought of facing conference mentors who’d spurred me on last May was, well…downright embarrassing.
Then it happened. On a rare snowy South Carolinian day, I sat upstairs gazing out the big window in the front of our house. I soaked in every detail for a possible poem. One particular car kept driving by, when suddenly the man pulled off the street and hopped out of his car with a fancified camera pointed in my direction. He motioned for me to meet him on my front porch. I’d barely opened the door when he asked what I was doing up there. He scribbled a few lines on his pad and jumped back in his car. A few weeks later, I opened our local paper to see my picture with the tag line Inspired by a Snowy Day…Poet at work: Cathy Baker from her Curtis St. window.
While taken back by his choice of wording, I couldn’t help but feel it was a divine wink to keep moving forward. The wink escalated to a nudge when my amazing hubster insisted I register for BRMCWC.
So, Lord willing, I will enter the lovely Lifeway campus this May looking ahead, not behind.
Past regrets will not rob God’s unfolding plan for my future.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13, 14
Are you sensing a divine wink or nudge? I’d love to see you at Blue Ridge this May! We’ll already have something in common. 🙂
Winks are special . . . especially when they come for our "Abba" Daddy!!!! So glad you aren't letting the past keep you from what God has for you in the future. Loving your new blog Cathy. So proud of you!!!!
Thanks so much, Beth! Means a lot. 🙂
Yes, nothing like those Abba Daddy winks…and nudges from the hubster.
Can't wait for BRMCWC!!
Like Beth, I am so happy you are marching toward the future God has for you. BRMCWC, here we come!
So thankful we'll be marching up the high hill to Mt. Laurel together! Of course, knowing us we may have to make a coffee stop at Cloud 9 before the hike. 🙂
Looking forward to BRMCWC with my sweet Dee Dee. Love you!
Awesome story Cathy! wish I could be at the conf. with you. 😉 have a great time!! I'm very happy for you. love, Hester 😉
I wish you could be too, Hester!
Susan Stilwell will also be there. What a wonderful time we'd have!!!
Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂 Blessings from SC!
Don't you just love how God steps in and changes our course? So glad you saw the writing on the wall…er…in the paper!
I love when He does that, Vonda! I especially love how He speaks to each of us in different ways.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Loved your post and it came with perfect timing. Several issues sidelined my writing as well. I've battled unworthy feelings about attending BRMCWC this year. It seems like I have nothing to offer, but so much to learn. Like you, I got an affirmation to attend, so I press forward. See you there!
Hi Sally! So nice to meet you! Thank you for taking the time to share.
Let's be sure to look for each other at the conference. 🙂
Blessings!