Freestyle Friday: Show and Tell

I remember when I sent out my first query letter to an agent for representation. I was ecstatic when she contacted me by e-mail to request the first three pages of my manuscript. I eagerly sent of my baby - the first book I'd written (that is yet to be published). I then phoned my husband to tell him the good news, and that we needed to celebrate. I knew I had just found the path to my writing journey!

How wrong I was.

A few weeks later, I received another e-mail from the agent, thanking me for allowing her to see part of the manuscript, and letting me know how sorry she was that she could not represent me. Her reasoning was that my book needed "more work"; it was "far too long for a first novel, and there is also too much telling and not enough showing," she'd said.

That was years ago. I've published my novel, Joy Comes in the Mourning, since then. A recent reviewer even said, "This book is immaculately written and edited. The author did a wonderful job of painting the scenes in abolute pristine imagery, giving the reader insight as if they were in the room."

However, I am not convinced that I got it right. At least not at home.

Recently, my nine year old, who had been with my aunt for a day of visiting the sick and shut-in, told me that they went to see about an elderly woman who told her that she loved her. "That woman doesn't even know me," my daughter said. I was stunned, because I'd told my daughters many, many times to follow the command to "love your neighbor as you love yourself". Even if they didn't like their behavior or even know them peronally. It's what Christ calls us to do.

That made me wonder. Have I been doing too much telling and not enough showing? After all, wasn't it just yesterday at her doctor's appointment where I expressed tolerance with the receptionist in deeds, but expressed intolerance with her in my words just as soon as we made it back to the car?

Do as I say, not as I do was the awful message I sent to her with my actions. When I know that Christ's message is for us to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The message my actions sent to me was, just like that first manuscript, I need more work. And I thank God that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!

Happy Friday! Today...I'm working on me!