Flight and Sight: Revelations in Butterflies, Airplanes, and Baby Names

By Desiree Glass

Never before—since I’ve been a teacher—have we had a two-week break from school for Christmas. While I hate that it means we’ll go to school longer in June, I have enjoyed the extra time that this break has given me—to prepare for Christmas and now to prepare for the New Year.  What I mean is I like to have a fresh start at the New Year.  I clean and organize.  In so doing, I’ve pilfered through piles of papers that I held onto for some important reason. On some slips I recorded journal entry-like ideas.  Thoughts I wanted to remember, to reflect on later—or ideas for writing.  Or perhaps both. 

Go Build Your Temple

By Desiree Glass

As the end of 2011 draws nigh, you may find yourself reflecting on the year.  Maybe you look back and smile on your accomplishments.  Or maybe you look back with regret, remembering those New Year’s resolutions that you made in January that have long been forgotten.  Did you start a project that you never finished?  Was it a re-modeling project?  Was it pursuit of a degree?  A new ministry?  Or did you embark on a healthy lifestyle, only to abandon it a few weeks later?  As trite as it may sound, it is never too late.  Pick it up again.  Start afresh in 2012.

The Heavenly Herald (my Christmas newsletter)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” —Luke 2: 13 –14

Taking Flight

 

I reflect on my year and realize that much of my life has remained the same.  I still teach at Chopticon, and I’m still involved with my church as the treasurer and the director of drama.  I also continue to lead the First Place 4 Health group and facilitate our exercise class.

However, in other ways, 2011 has been a year of change, a milestone.  I turned 50 in June and a few short months later, I officially became an empty-nester—unexpectedly.  All of my little angels have taken flight.  The transition has been difficult because I miss my children. But I’ve decided to embrace this new season of my life by embarking on some ventures of my own.

One of the highlights of my year was when I took flight—to Atlanta, that is, to attend a Christian writers conference. Three years ago I started writing a children’s read-to-me book, The Prettiest Sight to See: A Story of the Holly Wreath.  This summer I decided it was time to step up the process.  I needed direction on how to get published and learned so much at the conference that I knew it was God-ordained.  He sent angels in my pathway—well, individuals who were definitely godsends—to guide and to teach me.

Since then, I have finalized my manuscript; received endorsements from three different authors; and polished my proposal.  Recently I pitched my proposal to several literary agents, praying that the right one would agree to represent my work and negotiate a contract with a publishing house in my behalf.  I believe that good news will come soon—even during this season of Christmas.  What better time to promote a Christmas story!  By the way, one of my endorsements came from a local author named Faith Tydings.  Could there be a more fitting name?

Despite the changes that have taken place in my life, there is one thing that never changes.  Jesus.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He has not left me.  He is with me, and He is with you.  Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us.” O come, let us adore Him.

Merry Christmas from my little heaven-on-earth to yours!  May 2012 be sprinkled with blessings that are heaven-sent!

Love,

Desiree

Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Tooting My Own Horn?

Well, maybe.  It’s all part of marketing.  Most publishers want authors to be involved in promoting their books and favor those who have established platforms and networking opportunities.

Over the years, I have enjoyed writing my Christmas newsletters, incorporating spiritual devotions that I dubbed Looking Glass Letters.  Those letters have evolved into this blog The Looking Glass.  Thank you for visiting.  Read my Christmas devotion following this post. I also invite you to check out my upcoming article in the April issue of Guideposts magazine. 

A Christmas Devotion: Give an Angel a Job--Live Forever

By Desiree Glass

This time of year I’m sure you’re caught up in a multitude of maddening activities—everything from hosting Christmas parties to shopping for oodles of gifts.  I know, because so am I.

And when you’re traipsing through the mall on a quest to find that perfect gift, do you ever hear the piped in Christmas music?  I’m sure you do, because so do I.

Do you hear what I hear?  The First Noel?  Hark the Herald Angels Sing?

Yeah, you hear it.  But what did the angel say?  What did the herald angels sing?

Trash & Thrash: Separating the Mess from the Message

If you're not familiar with the different definitions of the word thrash, allow me:

1. to beat out
2. to toss about violently
3. to defeat overwhelming
4. to separate grains from husks

Now that I've laid the groundwork, let me tell you about my day of trashing and thrashing.

Yesterday, Margaret (my assistant with the church's treasury work) and I ventured to clean out old files.  As a rule of thumb, anything older than seven years was pitched in a trash heap--unless it was of an official nature, then those were retained--permanently.  I was surprised at how quickly our task was accomplished.

Still blessed with a few hours of sunlight, I decided to tackle some yard work.  My flowerbeds were out of control.  I thinned out irises and then took to thrashing stubborn weeds and uninvited saplings.  It was the only way to pry them from their deep-rooted stance.  Then I grabbed a hold of the spindly zinnias that were well beyond their prime, their droopy faded heads resembling aged corsages saved long after the relationship with the prom date had soured.  Why did I allow them to linger so long? Was it the hint of color that still remained?  Was it my way of hanging onto a piece of summer?

Back to the Drawing Board!

Well, I tried.  I submitted my proposal and manuscript to a literary agent who I had set my hopes on to mediate a contract on my behalf--only to receive a prompt reply that he did not represent children's books.  Hmm...back to the drawing board, I guess.

A drawing board is an architect's or draftsman's table.  According to Phrase Finder, the phrase "back to the drawing board" has been around since the WWII era and was used in conjunction with a failed design that needed to be tweaked.

Whenever you look for Him, you will find Him --2 Chronicles 15:2 TLB

Teacher. Writer. Parent (and soon-to-be grandparent!).  Like you, I wear many hats.  But in everything I do, I venture to put God first, so He will direct me and crown my efforts with success (Proverbs 3:6 TLB).

I give Him the first part of each day.  Invariably, as I spend that quiet time with Him, reading His word and praying, I am enlightened to a "new" truth--something that seems to jump off the page of my bible or my study material.  Other times, I see glimpses of God in my everyday life--in the nature that surrounds me (see photos) or in the classroom where I teach.  God never ceases to amaze me!  Whenever He brings something to my attention, I can't wait to share it.  Hence, the impetus for this blog.

I hope you will enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it and that it will flood your soul with sunlight--or, shall I say, Sonlight. 

Stay tuned for those glimpses...look for them.