If you asked me a little over two years ago if I would ever write a book I would have been shocked and responded with a resounding “NO”! Now I find myself characterizing my new life journey as a writing ‘career.’

This week I attended the Mount Hermon Writers Conference in Mt Hermon, California. To take your career seriously, you have to invest in learning opportunities. Mount Hermon is located near San José. It is a year round Christ-centered camp offering camps, conferences, and concerts that serve entire families. This was my second year attending the writer’s conference. An exceptional learning experience.

I included the conference in prayer requests in my April newsletter. I received an email from a friend telling me the story of his experience at a high school camp at Mt Hermon. He was 16 years old at the time.

“High School can be a difficult time for many, but my Mount Hermon experience made it one of the best times of my life. It gave me direction and purpose for my life, both on and off the field.” He gave his life to Christ when he attended the camp, and it made all the difference in the world. Mt Hermon is special.

The camp is a memorable place, and the conference is a unique experience. When you attend most conferences for writers, you can find competition and chaos. Writers can become territorial about their work not wanting to share ideas or previous lessons they have learned. Not at Mt Hermon. The core of what is taught at the conference is that we are all writing for an audience of one. Jesus. He gives us the ideas. He encourages us to write. He leads us where we need to go. It happens in his timing. As I meandered through the pathway leading to a workshop, I saw a small group praying together. One of the ladies had not received positive feedback about her project and was visibly upset. The group of men and women gathered around her and prayed. They prayed for God’s direction. God’s encouragement. God’s instruction. Support of one another isn’t unusual with Mt Hermon’s group of God’s writers.

It is natural.

It is beautiful.

My new career is a blessing. It is daunting, yet wonderful. Not perfect. Not full of warm fuzzies, but full of love and encouragement from fellow writers.

Two years ago I couldn’t fathom that my spiritual journey of pursuing the immeasurably more God wanted to do in and through me would bring me to being a published author. In my own abilities, I had pushed down the call to write for 12 years. I prayed for direction. He opened the door to writing. I shut the door and said, “I’m not worthy.” I prayed for a purpose. He directed me to write. I redirected my steps and said, “I must have heard wrong.” When I submitted my thoughts and actions in my abilities to seek what he wanted to do according to his power that is at work within me, he showed up in a way I could never imagine. He gave me direction and purpose in my career and life.

There is tremendous power in the saving grace of Jesus. As we head into this weekend of Easter, let us remember what Christ has done for us as his children.

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1Corinthians 15: 3-4).

Mt Hermon gives me high hope and support from fellow writers for where God is leading me on this writing journey. My faith in Jesus makes all the difference in the world. The conference is a vessel to nurture both.

My next post will be about the nuts and bolts of workshops and speakers at the conference, tidbits of knowledge and encouragement from amazing authors. Lots of information to share!