I remember when I was a kid I got excited about almost everything. My parents called us "kids" because they said most young children bounce and jump like little goats.
I got excited about things, such as new toys for Christmas, birthdays, and other special occasions; dad (a U.S. Navy chaplain) bringing gifts when he returned from overseas; visiting both sets of grandparents; mom and dad taking us up the mountains in eastern San Diego County above 4,000 feet to play in the snow -- whenever we got any.
Now as an adult, I rarely get excited about receiving gifts; our grandparents and parents have graduated to heaven; and I've lived in snow for many years. Don't misunderstand: I DO get excited, but normally it's about people, not things. However, something happened recently that brought out the excitables in me. (I might have just created a new word.)
Two weeks ago, I told you I'm not a dreamer -- that is, I don't spend much time pondering or brooding about things that are out of my financial reach, or that I don't really need. But one thing I've dreamed about for four years finally became a reality.
I have a new office! And for some reason, I got excited about it.
Our son, Jeremy, works for a company called Better Built Barns in Perkins, Okla. Jeremy and I designed the office (looks like a small cabin), and his crew came out and built it in only two days. Then I hired Ron, our oldest son, to come out and install the electrical system. He did that in two days. Finally, two older grandkids came out and put the finishing touches on it. When the inspector came out (three separate inspections), he said this was one of the finest examples of craftsmanship he had seen in years. (Truthfully: that's what he said.)
Because I wanted climate control for my books (and warmth for my bare feet), I asked for a double-floor with insulation between the decking, and had a heat-pump installed. It is carpeted, I have two lofts for storage, and a 4-foot x 12-foot porch to relax on during good weather. Of course, it is insulated all around.
At last, I relocated my desk and library from the bedroom in the house to my new 12-foot x 24-foot new office in the back yard. Now I now have room to bring the rest of my library out of storage. Yay!
With a room dedicated to studying and writing, inspiration comes more easily. Surrounded with my books -- dare I say, surrounded with history? -- I more easily "enter the setting" of the time zone or situation about which I write.
If grandkids are my topic, I imagine or "see" them surrounding me as I tell them a story; or I "see" them jumping and dancing with joy. If I am writing about ancient history, I "see" the camel trade-caravan creating a cloud of dust; or I "hear" Abraham talking with Sarah. Then I merely write what I "see or hear."
Because I can immerse myself into writing with fewer distractions, my new office serves as a time travel compartment in which I am mentally transported to my writing time frame. And sometimes I'll write for hours with no cognizance of time.
But God is preparing another office that excites me even more. My parents, parents-in-law, and grandparents on both sides already have their new room: it's their room in heaven. Although I don't think it's God's time for me to make that move yet, I am ready whenever He says, "Come on, boy; it's time!"
Jesus said in John 14:2-3, "There are many rooms in my Father's house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am." [NCV]
That room will be the best office I could ever have!
GENE LINZEY IS A SPEAKER, AUTHOR, MENTOR AND PRESIDENT OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD. SEND COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS TO [email protected]. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
Editorial on 11/15/2017