Sugar-free apple pie paired with banana cream pie, fervent holy-ghost filled prayers, competitive games of Uno, unmeasurable amounts of encouragement, and stories that ooze with nostalgia is what fills our hearts and souls when my husband and I get to visit his grandparents, Papa and Cookie.
Michael and I had the chance to sit down with Papa this past Tuesday, and I was flooded with more love than I even knew I needed. His love was such a gentle reminder to not give up, to keep writing.
Papa and Cookie are the embodiment of young love; they have been married and in ministry for over 63 years, and they have a way of slowing me down and taking me back to what really matters.
I published my first book, Tossing Tiaras, back in 2015, and I have been itching to publish my second one, and this desire and dream began to collect dust - more dust and doubt than I thought until I sat down and ate pie with my Papa.
Like a proud grandpa does, he celebrates my accomplishments but nudges me forward in my present and into my future with his kinds words: “Are you working on your second book?”
In the little amount of time between eating pie, catching up, and reminiscing about old memories, Papa had a way of shaking reality into me. He propelled me and infused me with confidence more than he even knows with these words:
“You, mija, you just keep writing and never stop. No really, that is your ministry. You always gotta be coming out with a new book because people want to see it. Just like the guys with the records, they need to come out with new ones.”
I went on to say my intentions of writing my second book especially with our Easter service soon approaching.
In an instant, Papa had me dreaming again.
I began to share all of the details about my second book and how it was written just not quite formatted correctly to be officially published. I also shared how I wanted to create a merchandise table, and my dreams and hopes began to overflow. I found myself excited, giddy, and alive.
He continued.
“When your books, mija, start hitting, TBN and God channel may start calling. They are calling the people that are writing the books. They aren’t really calling the musicians. People have switched to the intellectuals and the books! You guys (Michael and I) need to get ready! You will be screaming in awe “ahh they called us!” “We need to be there tomorrow night? What are we going to be talking about?” Of course, they want to talk about your book. You need to be ready.”
My words verbatim from Papa’s advice was this: “You’re right, Papa! I did not realize how close Easter is. I should probably work on that like tonight, tomorrow, this week!”
After this conversation with Papa, I can honestly write that I did it! I was able to knock out my second book called Steep Life Collections #One. I will have 10 copies available along with 20 copies of Tossing Tiaras ready at this coming Easter service all thanks to him, my Papa.
He went on.
“Those books are going to go girl! People do very well making books sometimes more than singers!”
Papa has no idea what kind of fire he ignited in me that day. I am excited to refine my art, take risks, and really dive deeper into this gift that God has given me.
We ended our time sharing with Papa all the changes that we have made this year that has made the art of creating more purposeful and meaningful in our lives:
“We have been creating “creative” spaces in our house. After a close of a very large chapter in our lives, we got into a rut of mourning. Now, we are putting our health first, cleaning house, like we are really trying to get clear where God is leading us. We both believe in our art, our ministry, by creating creative space for it and to purpose it. ”
Take time this week to finish something that you started and never got to finish. Your dreams and desires are what makes us feel alive.
Steep Life Collections #One will be available for purchase through Amazon this week!