Friday, June 11, 2010

The Woman Behind the Blog - Kathryn Lang - Part 1

Welcome to a new feature of Christian Writer/Reader Connection! I'll still be doing the Friday Round-Up, but occasionally substitute with one of these specialty posts.

Kathryn Lang and I met through her blog, Successful Freelance Writer. She also shares the blogging duties at Author Haven. Recently, Kathryn posted on a shift in her thinking. I'll let her tell you about herself and the experience in her own words.

"I am unique. Ask anyone that has ever met me. They will at least tell you that I am not normal.

I am a sister. I have one older brother and one younger brother. I am not nearly as close to them as I want to be, which is another obstacle I am struggling to address.

I am a daughter and a friend. My parents and I talk and share on a level beyond parent/child. I think it is important that I prepare my own children for that transition one day.

I am a wife. I fell for my husband when I was 12 and he was 16. He finally realized my feelings when I was 15 (and only recently discovered that I joined the diving team because HE was on the diving team). I learned about unconditional love from him, and I'm trying daily to reveal that unconditional love back to him.

I am a mother. We have been blessed with three wonderful boys - perfect for me because I was a tomboy. My prayer every day is that I can be a faithful steward over these precious treasures that have been entrusted to me.

I am a writer. Words have always been a powerful part of my life. Most of my writing took place in the form of notes, letters, and cards. But although the words were intended for individuals, you never know when those words will touch the world.

My career as a writer launched the same year I found out I was pregnant with our third son. That was one of those moments where I was certain God was messing with me. My life was on track, and He shakes it all up with a surprise pregnancy. Sometime the blessings we receive are not the blessings we were expecting or even those we understand, but God's blessings always turn out exceedingly, abundantly more than we can think or imagine."

Have you ever had God "mess up" your plans? We'd love to hear about it. Watch for Part II of this guest post tomorrow.

21 comments:

Diane said...

He does that sometimes, doesn't He??!?!?!? :O)

Terri Tiffany said...

I love how you shared about yourself--unique!
And yes God shuffled our plans three years ago--husband lost his career. He changes up our life but I know the plan is there:)

Jeanette Levellie said...

Who HASN'T had God mess up their plans? But His plans always turn out fifty-ten times better than mine. So I'm learning to relax. A little.

Glad you know you, Kathryn!

Jen

Jessica Nelson said...

Beautiful post! I have three boys too. :-)
God mess up my plans? What plans? LOL

Karen Lange said...

Thanks to both of you for sharing this. It is interesting to see where our life journey takes us; not a surprise to God, but sometimes a surprise to us. I am thankful He is in control.
Happy weekend:)
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Diane -

He sure does!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

Kathryn does have a great writing style. One thing I like is her openness in sharing.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jen -

How true! I recently posted a comment on another blog in relation to Joseph:

"His life didn't work out the way he expected. It worked out even better."

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

You and Kathryn have something in common - three sons. Kids do have a way of keeping you flexible.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

The Lord gave Joseph dreams about his future. It's a good thing he didn't show him everything in between.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Kathryn, I love how you wrote this :)

Yes, sometimes it seems like God takes the most roundabout, confusing way of doing things. And it totally seems to mess up our plans but then it always works out. Just another lesson, I guess, that His way is always better.

Unknown said...

Boy can I relate. Kathryn's experience reminds me of how important it is to truly trust God even when it seems like He messed up our plans. Susan, thanks for having Kathryn as your guest today!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Cindy -

I think we sometimes make decisions that take us down paths God never intended. Ah, free will. Since He knows what choices we'll make, He can rearrange everything.

He sure never intended for Adam and Eve to sin, but He knew they would and made provision not only for them, but also for the entire human race.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sharon -

You're welcome.

We have our own ideas about the way things should play out. We want to do things our way, in our timing, but we don't know the consequences 10 years down the road. Thankfully, He does.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Sandra Heska King said...

Mess up my plans? You mean when I worked so hard to get pregnant and then to adopt and then finally gave up and made other plans and He decided that was the time for us to adopt a newborn?

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Ha! Sometimes I'm convinced I'm the official Throne Room Jester! :0)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sandra -

You've been on quite a roller coaster! I'm glad you finally were able to adopt.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kristen -

No, I see you more as a princess. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Hey, Susan!

I'd look into a cheap Nikon. Canon is also good. I don't know many brands, but I'd just look through the selection at Walmart or Best Buy. Good luck!

Thanks for thinking of me! Sorry I couldn't be more help!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kristen -

Thanks. I was thinking about a Canon. I appreciate you taking the time to give your opinion. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Kathryn Lang said...

Diane - sometimes I think God is WAITING on me to make plans so He can make the changes. :D

Terri - I am for uniqueness!

Jeanette - I trust God's plans. There are just days when I wish He had told me (or at least I had listened) to the fact that there WERE plans.

Karen - some days I am better about resting in His control than others.

Susan - thank you so much for reading my posts, for appreciating my style and for sharing with others! Your encouragement gives me the fire to keep pushing!

Cindy - I know in my heart that God does things the way He does so that we HAVE to rely on Him, but that does not mean I always have to like it.

Sharon - Trusting God is essential to peace, but I can get a bit frustrated when that trust comes at the expense of my plans. :D

Kristen - there are days when I wonder if the angels sit up in heaven with a remote, like watching television, and think of me as the sitcom. :D