Guest Blog with Colleen Reece Day Two

“Finding the Way,”

One of my greatest concerns when God called me off my government job into writing for Him was, “Lord, to whom can I witness, other than through my writing? I’ll be spending most of my time in my office working. Who can I encourage? Who can I help?”

I’m sure God smiled. Again. The first thing He did was open a door I didn’t know existed for me: teaching writing classes. My brother persuaded me to contact the local community college, even though I didn’t have a degree. “They use instructors who have expertise in their fields for the Continuing Education program,” he said. “One of the women at church works at the college. Ask her who you should contact.”

Her answer? “Me. My boss is head of Continuing Education.”

A few days later I was hired for an evening class and an afternoon class, wondering why I’d allowed my brother to talk me into it. I’d never even been to a writing class—and was so scared on my way to the first session I thought I’d be sick! After a mighty prayer, God settled me down. As the saying goes, the rest is history. Since then I’ve taught hundreds of classes, spoken at a multitude of conferences, and discovered that as long as I talk about writing or what God has done for me (preferably both) all is well.

Rewards? Oh, yes. A few years ago an award-winning children’s author came to me at a conference. “I have to tell you,” she said in a choked voice. “You changed my life. Literally.” I learned that years earlier, believing God had called her to write for Him, she’d gone to a Christian writers’ conference. She took a manuscript that represented blood, sweat, and tears. The editor for whom it was intended turned it down. Dreams shattered, she started to leave, but ran into one of the conference leaders.

“Go to Colleen Reece’s class,” the leader advised. “She’s teaching how to get started. She knows. She’s a full-time Christian author but it’s said that she freely confesses she could insulate her house with rejection slips!”

The discouraged writer came. She listened to the things God had put in my heart to encourage others. She learned one rejection didn’t mean all was lost. She left the conference determined not to give up. She didn’t, and is only one of many whose lives God has allowed me to influence. I rejoice when I see former students and those I’ve mentored go on to reach thousands, perhaps millions of readers that I never can.

Romance at Rainbow’s End, final novel in my trilogy, will be out in early 2011. The hero must decide whether God is telling him (as He told Moses—and me) that he’s “stayed long enough on this mountain” and if it’s time to leave all and follow.

Joshua’s decision will affect countless lives.

Colleen's question to each of us: If God is calling you to write, what is stopping you? Lack of time? If you write only one page per day, five days a week, by this time next year you will have completed a 260-page book. What’s more important than answering God’s call in your life?
OR
Has God ever opened a door you never expected--like he did with Colleen and teaching? Maybe even one you never thought you wanted.