Category: Katie Ganshert

I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve heard those words a million times, but not until last week did I let them roll around inside my head.

During my twenty minute commute to work, while listening to music and letting my mind sway along with the corn bordering the black-topped road, I pondered that saying for the first time. And I got to thinking. Are there things I’d trade if I could?

Like, if I could trade the past six months of waiting, would I? Or, if I could trade this passion for something less emotionally taxing, would I? Or, if I could trade the rejections I’ve received on my writing journey, would I?

I thought about all these things. How my book was supposed to go to pub board in April and how much less stressful it would’ve been if my agent had called six months ago with great news. I thought about all the rejections I’ve received since I started and how much less painful it would’ve been not to get any of those. I thought about the passion God’s given me for telling stories, and how much easier life would be if He’d given me a different calling – like basket weaving. I bet basket weavers don’t deal with the same level of stress and heart ache that writers do.

I imagined a scenario where God came down from heaven, planted Himself in my passenger seat, and offered me another life. An easier life. A life with no waiting and no rejections. A life without this passion that burns so hot that sometimes – okay, often time – it hurts. It scalds. It makes me jerk back with a blistered heart. If God offered me this easier life, would I take it?

I turned off my radio and looked at my son in the rear view mirror, bouncing his feet, waving his pudgy hand at an abandoned tractor. Seeing him back there made me think about parenting. One of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. But also one of the hardest. And I got to thinking. Sometimes it’s the hard things that make life worth living. Those are the things that keep us on our toes. Or maybe on our knees.

I thought about how an easier life doesn’t necessarily make for a better one.

Because of writing, I’ve spent the last two years kneeling in prayer. Because of waiting, I’ve learned to trust God with the unknown. Because of the rejections, I’ve gotten better at putting my hope in the God of the universe, instead of the changing winds of the publishing industry. Because of this passion, I know what it’s like to feel alive, to feel energized with a sense of purpose, to feel in awe of God’s grace. That He would give someone like me this amazing, challenging gift.

Nothing about writing is easy. Not one single part. But you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Question to Ponder: What about you? Are there things you’d trade? What have the hard things in life taught you?removetweetmeme