Faithful in the Small Things by Kim Patton

Faithful in the Small Things

by Kim Patton

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much”

(Luke 16:10, ESV).

I regret my years of succumbing to anger when I couldn’t find time to write.

My stories pound on me with possibility. When I can’t get words on paper, I want to scream. Creativity pools in the bottom of my core, where it yells at me all day long, “Write! Write! Write!”

I quiet the voice like a hidden pet, shushing it until I can sneak away, laptop in hand, allowing the stories to spill out.

If only I had more time, I could finish my book. If only people would leave me alone, I could be an accomplished writer.

One day I felt especially under-accomplished. My children’s naptimes were the only windows of opportunity I had to write. I messaged a writing mentor, Karen Stiller, for encouragement. I envied her resume, her publishing house, her royalty checks.

Karen’s advice was simple. “Do what you can, when you can. Let that be enough during the busy seasons.”

The Lord was whispering to me that I could be content to work small.

Karen said she recognized herself when I talked with starry eyes about lofty writing plans. Essays, articles, and book ideas bloomed in my fertile mind. She, too, was once frantic with tasks that kept her hands pushing, pulling, holding babies, and moving endlessly when she just wanted to write.

She validated my dreams while compassionately acknowledging the circumstances that tethered me to the ground. She reminded me caring for my family was holy work ordained by God. But during this season of life, I could grow tiny seeds of a writing career, too.

Her advice freed me to write in “the cracks of the day.” She suggested that I pursue publishing at a slower, more sustainable pace. One that met my current needs.

One step, write. Two steps, live. Three steps, dream.

Lord, you have given us the beautiful opportunity to serve you in our personal and writing lives. We pray for your strength on the hard days when we struggle to fulfill our calling. Guide us to manage our time well to live and write for your glory. Amen.

Kim Patton is an adoptive and foster mama living in South Carolina. She writes online at www.kimpatton.com, and hosts the Book Therapy podcast. Her second book, “Nothing Wasted” encourages readers to recognize personal growth amidst hard times. In her free time, she is usually reading, running around outside with kids, or eating dairy-free ice cream.