Have you lost the writer's guidelines to the project you are working on? It happens to me all the time. I've printed the guidelines to one of the projects I'm working on three times. I'm sure all three copies are here under one stack or another of magazines or books on my desk or on the table behind me. Please tell me you have a similar problem so I won't feel weird.
Every day when I report to work in here, I say to myself, "First on my "to do" list today is
clean up this place. But first I check my e-mail, then downsize it so I can see when the number of unchecked mail goes up. That's a mistake because the number is always going up so I'm always checking to see what the e-mail is. If the number doesn't go up for a while, then I start to sort through the stacks. That's when I see articles and stories I want to read. Reading is where I get creative ideas so that's an important task, right? Minutes turn into hours before I realize that little progress has been made to
clean up the place. Please tell me you do this too so I won't feel desperately alone.
When a creative idea comes to mind, I have to write it down--maybe a few words, maybe an outline, maybe a first draft of a story. Then I check my blog traffic. An idea for a new post enters my mind
so I feel like I have to go with it. It's easy to get lost in here and forget what's going on around me. The other day my puppy, Maggie, chewed up one of the books I was going to read. That's because there was no more room on my desk or table. The book lay on the
floor and Maggie found it quite delicious. Please tell me you have days like this so I won't feel like I'm losing my mind.
My thoughts always turn to a picture of weight scales, you know, the icon lawyers use. On one side is creativity--measuring the value of my projects, and the reading and research they require. On the other side is administration--measuring cleaning, filing, sorting. The admin side is usually the heaviest but I think to myself, I gotta go with the creativity while it's present and I promise myself after I get the first draft or the next draft done on my project, I'll
clean up the place. Today I think I better
clean up the place or I'll have to print the guidelines to my project again.
Lord Jesus, I know you never leave me or forsake me, but to tell the truth, I'm embarrassed that You see this place right now. Although I've dedicated this place to You for accomplishing all You have for me to do, I need Your help. Thank You for not giving up on me and thank You in advance for helping me clean up this place. Amen.
Jane owns and runs an antique store in Manhatten, New York. Just when she thinks her life is going along great, her husband takes a job in another state. As she confronts issues that turn her life upside down, she finds a treasure in one of the boxes purchased at an estate sale. The stories of two women with the same name, but centuries apart, unfold the greatest treasure we have on earth or in Heaven--our relationship with Jesus Christ. 
