I almost stayed home this week. The writers conference in Kansas City always inspires and challenges me. I appreciate the efforts of Mark and Jeannette Littleton and their goal to help us become better writers for the glory of God. But, we weren’t having a good week at our house. Stupid cancer had stuck its foot in the door again, and I mostly wanted to stay home and take Serenity, Michael, and the boys out to supper. As if feeding them could fix anything.

But our wise daughter, Felicity, who always has an apt word in season said, “Mom, you should go. If nothing else, you are sure to meet fifty more Christians who will pray for Seren.”

And, I did. I determined not to be a whiner, but almost every conversation came around to issues of the heart. Serenity was on mine. Scads of people promised to pray. Some of them asked for my card so they would remember. Others took time to write Serenity’s name and the name of her cancer in a notebook.

I didn’t get a book deal at this conference. (I didn’t even pitch one). And I’m not sure anything I write from these days will ever be published. The deals I made were much more important than a writing contract. My friends are praying for Serenity. And I am praying for their job issues, their divine appointments, and their ability to “Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.” Psalm 96:3