On Writing

I started writing this novel in December 2009 with the aspiration of one day having a published work of literature. I haven't given up on that aspiration..and so here is the synopsis of what I hope one day will be read in its full edition.

A Way for the Rain is the story of first loves, second chances and third wheels.

Aspiring tennis player, Jeannette Creekmore always romanticized the snapshot of how her life was to look on the surface. Everything was set to her advantage within the safe confines of her comfort zone. Compelled to attain championship perfection, Jeannette faces the internal match of her life and struggles to keep it together.

Luke Overton’s baseball career is threatened by fluke external circumstances that unravel his team. His best friend flirts with betrayal and his rival toils with guilt. Luke’s capacity to forgive and forget is challenged by an unflappable unwillingness to concede defeat.   

A Way for the Rain chronicles the interwoven lives of two athletes who find their way back from despair to realize a timeless affirmation about rediscovering hope.

Peripheral Vision

“I can see all obstacles in my way”

Peripheral vision occurs outside our central view. It could be described as a feeling or a sense of a vision. Peripheral vision’s significance in tennis is mostly in doubles play. It helps to get a sense of where your partner is on the court. You do this through peripherally feeling for their movement with your eyes. Peripheral vision is an aid and a guide used so players do not run into each other. It is also useful when shuffling back to return a deep lob. Your peripheral vision guides you to the baseline while you keep your eye centered on the ball in flight. It often amazes me how our eyes and our minds can work in such remote ways. How is it we can see where the ball is going to land and feel where the out of bounds area begins? How do we know a doubles partner is shifting sides in the backcourt without turning around to face her?

Peripheral vision gives us insight and allows us to see beyond a central point. I think it goes without saying there is something peripheral about our faith. Today, on Easter Sunday, the Lord is alive in each of us. If we are able to distinguish his voice from our own, we would be wise to use it. If we are able to gather a sense of Him beyond our central vision, we too are alive. Easter is a sentimental day for Christians. It’s a celebration of life and redemption. It’s a day to savor and to praise. It’s as if we are guided by our peripheral vision to trust what lies beyond our own sight. This is how we were designed, and it’s amazing. His is the only way and it’s the truth. How do we know without seeing? Through faith in our peripheral vision.

“Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind”

Forgiveness

“And heard her whisper out a name long forgiven…”

The power to forgive is perhaps the greatest gift we possess. It’s a possession more powerful than love, more intense than kindness. Why is this gift not utilized more often, and how do we forgive those people who mistreat us? Forgiveness is something we all struggle with from time to time. We can’t comprehend the need to forgive those who stab us in the back, break our hearts and turn against us. When neglected, the power to forgive leaves us bitter and resentful. An unforgiving heart erodes the compassion we should be gathering in times for forgiveness.  

I played junior varsity doubles in seventh grade. My doubles partner collected so many unforced errors during a second set tiebreaker that it left us with little chance of reaching a third set. We lost the set and the competition because my partner was having a bad day. She volleyed balls into the net and repeatedly sent shots flying beyond the lines during the tiebreaker. I was angry at her for messing up our chances for a third set. She was clearly upset about her play during that climatic second set. It was up to me to use my power of forgiveness to improve the situation. The results weren’t going to change if I simmered in my own selfish sullenness. We already lost the match. I kept my anger to myself, and in an effort to show forgiveness, let her know it was okay we lost. We would win next time.

Forgiveness. I implore you to try it. What if you were my doubles partner? Wouldn’t you want to be forgiven? Wouldn’t you feel bad enough about muddying a match without having to also listen to me whine and stew about it? I think back to that situation and realize it was the right thing to do. It’s harder to bring that mindset to more severe situations. How do you forgive someone who does something malicious to you? I guess the answer is this: you just do. It’s the right thing to do. It goes back to the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have done to you. Forgiveness is not an easy gesture, but it shows character. More than love, more than kindness. It would be a sad day if we stopped using the gift of forgiveness. “I forgive you”—try it today.

“When her days are grey and her nights are black—different shades of mundane”