The Never Ending Gifts

Oh no. I couldn’t have done something so dumb—with something this important. My heart raced as I searched a third time. Take a deep breath. Look again…  

This last spring, I got the chance to take an excellent workshop from a magazine editor. Her writing advice gave me the courage to try submitting an article to her magazine.

I spent the next two months trimming and spiffing a chapter from the book I’m writing, molding it into an article. After making sure every word was the best it could be, I wrote a cover letter and, with much trepidation, pressed the “send” button. Then I waited.

After the appropriate time had passed, I opened the original submission e-mail so I could send it again, this time asking about my story’s status. I wrote a brief follow-up note, and then decided to open the attached manuscript to make a quick change. But where was the attachment?

It has to be here somewhere. I remember being so careful with every step. But no matter how hard I looked, that little paper-clip symbol just wasn’t there.

I can’t believe I didn’t attach the article. What must the editor have thought? The knot in my stomach burned. I hate making mistakes! What should I do now?

I decided to write a new cover letter, made sure to attach the article this time, clicked “send” again, and prayed.

“Dear Lord, Romans 8:28 says that you work all things to good for those who love you. Thank you that “all things” includes my mistakes. According to protocol, this article should have been submitted two months ago. Please open their hearts to receive it today with grace. I give the results to you. And would you please help me let go of this mistake, and take this knot from my stomach as I trust you to work this for good? In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Sure enough, as I let my mistake slip into the past and trusted God with my story, my stomach relaxed and my heart slowed. I now felt free to move on with my day.

I don’t know whether the timing of my article submission will be better now than it would have been two months ago, or not. I’ll find out. But I do know this humbling experience reminded me to trust God more—and that in itself is a good thing.