The Adventure Continues

Hello, my friends and readers! When I started Anonymous to Author back in 2010, I had just self-published my first book, and I wanted a place where I could share my self-publishing journey with other aspiring writers.

Five years and three books later, I still write young adult suspense, but I also have made young adult discipleship an emphasis of my writing ministry. Yes, ministry. Whatever God has called us to do is our ministry, and writing is one of mine.

That said, the bulk of my blogging time is now dedicated to a website I've created called thinktruethoughts.com, an online community for young women who want to think biblically about themselves, others, God and anything else. If you are a teen or know one, I'd encourage you to stop by.

I also invite you to visit my author website kristenhogrefe.com for updates on my writing and speaking.

Of course if you have questions about self-publishing or publishing in general, I'd still be glad to answer your questions if I can. Feel free to contact me. Perhaps you will see the answer in a post here at Anonymous to Author one day.

Blessings to you in your writing adventures!

Kristen

The Road Taken

The immortal words of Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” are some of the most quoted in poetry. The road not taken leaves the poet looking back with a “sigh,” but he also believes that choosing the lesser-traveled road made “all the difference” in his life.

Of course, there are two takes on the poet’s meaning. Did he make the right choice, or did he make the wrong one?

The other day, I was talking about this with my brother. His practical interpretation is probably the best I’ve ever heard. “I think he took the right one,” he said, “but even when you make the right decision, you still look back with a sigh sometimes.”

Leaving an established job and taking a step of faith. Parting with a friend because your paths are going separate directions. Saying no because even though it hurts, your heart tells you that it’s the right choice. Life is full of bittersweets.

***

A new year is ahead, and I want to challenge you with something Andy Stanley said. This simple truth can make all the difference in the road we take.

He said, “Attention establishes direction which determines destination.” There’s a three-fold challenge for us in those words.

1.     Attention: What are we focusing on, and is our focus where it should be? What goals are we working toward this year, and are we seeking God’s guidance in achieving them?

2.     Direction: What we focus on will determine where we are going. It’s a cause and effect. Look back over the last year. What choices did we make, and what can we learn from them? Do we need to adjust our course? Where we are today was where our attention was yesterday.

3.     Destination: Our focus shapes our journey and takes us to our terminus. A few cases in point:

·       If we decide to make pasta and sauce, we shouldn’t except to get steak instead of spaghetti. If we forget to stir the pasta, the noodles might clump, but it will still be spaghetti.

·       If we desire a certain achievement and take intentional steps to achieve it, we will grow closer to reaching that goal. We may fail along the way, but many people fail their way to eventual success.

·       If we earnestly spend time with God in prayer and His Word each day, we should trust and not fear the plan He reveals for our lives. Our steps may falter, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t guiding us.

Make it personal. My attention establishes my direction and determines my destination. You and I are responsible for the path we take. We can’t blame circumstances or anyone else.

We choose the road we travel. Let’s not dwell on the one we didn’t take. That’s in the past.

The one we take now will make all the difference in the year ahead.