- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,078
Line Judge - June 09, 2006
I think most of us writers are relatively insecure people. I get a little concerned before every book signing, for instance. I always wonder if it's going to be one of those author nightmares where a book store plans a big event, then I sit quietly and forlornly at a table in front of a big stack of books, doing my nails. Frightening. No really, this is the stuff horror films are made of. Except the part where I could leave the store with nicer nails than when I came in.
I've thought about hiring family and friends to come and stand in line at the book store events. You know, so there'll BE a line. You can judge a lot by the size of a line. If I paid them enough, maybe I could get them to say to each other, "Wow, it's Rhonda Rhea!" Not only could that keep the bystanders from asking, "Who in tarnation is she?" but it also might encourage eavesdroppers to think that there might actually be someone important at the other end of the line. So far I haven't been able to pay any family or friend enough to make it happen. But don't my nails look nice?
I don't really have to worry about lines, fame and other ulcer-inducing nonsense. I don't even have to worry about placing someone important at the other end of that line. Jesus makes me important. He knows my name. And he considered me important enough to die for. The perfect Son of Goddying for me!
That pretty much takes care of any significant insecurity issues for me. My faith in Christ isn't connected in any way to a line at the book store. Hebrews 11:1 says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see." (NLT) Confident assurance is the opposite of insecurity. We can confidently, assuredly trust our Savior. And boy will that make a better movie--I love happy endings!
Rhonda Rhea is the author of "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge" and other insanely fun books, including "Amusing Grace" and "Turkey Soup for the Soul--Tastes Just Like Chicken." She is a radio personality and humor columnist and speaks at conferences and events nationwide. Rhonda lives in the St. Louis area with her pastor/husband and their five children. Find out more at www.RhondaRhea.net.
I think most of us writers are relatively insecure people. I get a little concerned before every book signing, for instance. I always wonder if it's going to be one of those author nightmares where a book store plans a big event, then I sit quietly and forlornly at a table in front of a big stack of books, doing my nails. Frightening. No really, this is the stuff horror films are made of. Except the part where I could leave the store with nicer nails than when I came in.
I've thought about hiring family and friends to come and stand in line at the book store events. You know, so there'll BE a line. You can judge a lot by the size of a line. If I paid them enough, maybe I could get them to say to each other, "Wow, it's Rhonda Rhea!" Not only could that keep the bystanders from asking, "Who in tarnation is she?" but it also might encourage eavesdroppers to think that there might actually be someone important at the other end of the line. So far I haven't been able to pay any family or friend enough to make it happen. But don't my nails look nice?
I don't really have to worry about lines, fame and other ulcer-inducing nonsense. I don't even have to worry about placing someone important at the other end of that line. Jesus makes me important. He knows my name. And he considered me important enough to die for. The perfect Son of Goddying for me!
That pretty much takes care of any significant insecurity issues for me. My faith in Christ isn't connected in any way to a line at the book store. Hebrews 11:1 says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see." (NLT) Confident assurance is the opposite of insecurity. We can confidently, assuredly trust our Savior. And boy will that make a better movie--I love happy endings!
Rhonda Rhea is the author of "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge" and other insanely fun books, including "Amusing Grace" and "Turkey Soup for the Soul--Tastes Just Like Chicken." She is a radio personality and humor columnist and speaks at conferences and events nationwide. Rhonda lives in the St. Louis area with her pastor/husband and their five children. Find out more at www.RhondaRhea.net.
