No, not again. You done really messed up now G-d. How could you miss that? I mean you are the all-knowing, all powerful, present-everywhere at the same time God. This is surely an error on your part. That’s what it feels like sometimes. When His timing is completely different from mine and suddenly my perfect plans either look different than I thought they would, or are put on the back burner altogether. Sorry G-d, you’re wrong!

Eight years is how long it took for me to finally publish my book. Prior to that, it existed as only a manuscript that lived on the desktop of my computer. It sat around so long, that if it could have collected dust it would have. Yet, in that little file existed the story of five of the most impactful years of my life. Much of which I’d prefer to forget all-together, but as long as I caught a glimpse of it every time I logged on to my computer, it was a reminder of a project that needed to come to a close.

But life. That was always the reason why it would never come to fruition. It was never the right time. Too many things going on. I wasn’t ready. And every little detail just kept pushing against my will to finally finish. Does that sound familiar? Has “life” ever kept you from putting out the gift that you were meant to contribute to this world?

Some might say it just wasn’t the right time. I can get down with that. Timing is everything right? Well, my pastor put it this way “Its all a set-up”. It all works together for our good. Even when it doesn’t make sense and even when it doesn’t look the way we thought it would. He even gave us little red rags to remind us of this truth every time we see it.

Okay. I’m ready now G-d!, Okay, I’m ready now world! The timing is perfect! Eight years waiting and now I have a book in my hand to show for all the times I ever told someone I was writing one. Oh the excitement! Oh the feeling of accomplishment! And just as I’m about to scream it into the universe…the pandemic hits.

Ha! Oh, what a sense of humor you have almighty one. I wait and wait and wait some more, and just as I think I’m ready, there’s a virus affecting thousands across the world?!? All of a sudden what seemed like perfect timing has just turned into the absolute worst timing ever!!!

Me: Sorry G-d, you’re wrong! You must be confused G-d. I know, I know, you have a lot going on. You must not remember how long this has been in the works. This is ruining my plans!

G-d: …<crickets>….

And just as I start to get a little salty about the situation, I see my little red rag. Its all a set-up.  

It doesn’t look like I thought it would, and timing …well it could definitely be better (in my opinion anyway) . Yet, in all honesty, I’ve never been one to do things the traditional way. There’s no book release party and there’s no fancy announcement. There’s a pandemic; that’s what there is. And I’m okay with that. So, without further ado, here it is…Refined in the Flame.