I spent a large part of August getting ready for the American Christian Fiction Writers' Conference in September. What an opportunity to meet new writer friends, attend writing classes and be inspired by the writing journeys of the keynote speakers. I knew I'd have the opportunity to pitch my manuscript to at least one agent. Perhaps he or she would find the story compelling.

The last week prior to the conference God motivated me to read several passages in Scripture about His sovereignty. Two days before the conference I read Ephesians 3:20:

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen."

This verse helped me align my thoughts and goals with God's. In His sovereignty, He was preparing me for an experience I could not have imagined.

You see, I thought I would have important appointments with agents and editors, perhaps one that would speed me further along my writer journey.
But instead, God had "Appointments" of a different, but much more valuable nature for me.
My two roomies decided that our hotel room wouldn't comfortably accommodate another person, so I got switched into another room with a lovely lady who also writes suspense. We spent late nights listening and encouraging each other.
On Friday, I ran into several friends, troubled and anxious about their appointments and I was able to listen and offer encouragement and affirmation about their writing.
Another friend from out of town had nowhere to go for dinner that night so I invited her and a couple of other attenders to join us.
After an evening class, a lady asked me if I would read her sell sheet and give her constructive comments so that she would be prepared for her meeting with an agent the next morning. We spent an intense hour together, ending with sweet prayer.
There were too many other "appointments" to share on this small space.
I may never see many of these sweet ladies again, but I know that, in some wondrous way, God allowed me to have a tiny part in speeding each one along their journey. Who knows? One day, in heaven I may find out that some word of encouragement that I offered made the difference between a writer giving up or pressing on.
My prayer to be aligned with God during the conference was answered. Those appointments weren't about me; they were about all the other writers needing a leg up.
One thing I know, we sure as shootin' aren't staying on this side of heaven for ourselves.