"One cold February day a snail started climbing an apple tree. As he inched slowly upward, a worm stuck its head from a crevice in the bark to offer some advice. "You're wasting your energy. There isn't a single apple up there."
"There will be when I get there," he said.
Anonymous
As I work on my no-telling-where-my-story-will-end-up Nano novel, it's at this first week that I slow down. My first thoughts are on paper and I feel like a snail, now what? I just keep writing forward and try to reach that shiny 50,000 word apple.
"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
God prompts me to "keep on" even if my tree is knotty or scratchy or tall. I need to look toward and upward, He says, to the prize and not look down. He never told us our journey would be easy, but His companionship, strength and help is there for me. So if something slimy tries to tempt and discourage me, I must be like the snail, and ask God to help me remember His reward will be there, when I arrive.
Keep your eye on the apple.
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13 comments:
Love it! Slow and steady wins the race. You'll make it. :O)
Love the parable of the snail climbing that tree and how you relate it to your nano goal!
Wonderful illustration, Karen. At first I thought you wrote SLIMY 50,000 word apple. my error, my a silly fun one! keep up the good work, snail friend
Thanks, I needed this cheerleading today, friend.
Diane, thanks. That's me, slow and most of the time steady. :)
Thanks Kathryn, now if I can only KEEP his attitude!
Jeanie, HA, it will probably be 50,000 slimy words! You are too funny!
Jeanette, you're welcome. Usually you are my cheerleader! You can do it.
Love this!!
There is something for you over at my place :)
Aww, Bina, Thanks I picked it up and will show it for all the world to see tomorrow. Thanks so much!!
I needed to hear that, Karen. I know it, but I desperately need the reminder and encouragement. Life seems all uphill lately. Looking back is paralyzing.
I'm so impressed you're doing NaNo! That's awesome. The exercise will bear fruit! ;0)
Karen, I've give you an award over at my blog. Have a great day! :O)
Why am I just reading this? I have no idea except that
God knows me so well and I didn't need to read it last week, I needed to read it this morning. Isn't that just too "cool" of God?
Thanks Karen
Melinda, life does get hard. I'm so far behind on nano, but family first. Will post today about it. Will be in prayer for you and fam.
Diane, ooooo, cooool an award! I'll be right over! Thanks so much!
Clella, I think that's you--you are the inspirer, so I'm glad this post helped you. You can do it!!
I love the snail parable and will never read Philippians 3:13-14 again without thinking about it. So encouraging, especially for NaNo! Love you*
Very cute! Thanks for sharing!
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