Echoes of Joy Blog

A Time to Create

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10)

In last week’s blog post, I wrote about the difficulty I’ve had lately with being creative. This past weekend, I attended the virtual Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. (OWFI) conference. Attending the conference, learning from fellow writers, and mingling (even virtually) is always a boon for my creativity.

This year, the conference coordinators took a chance on me and allowed me to conduct two workshops on self-editing practices. I’ve done a lot of speaking over the years, but this was the largest event where I’ve been invited to speak. Continue reading “A Time to Create” →

The Creativity Struggle

Posted on by Staci Mauney

But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jer. 10:12)

My word for the year is “create,” but lately, finding the time or energy to create has been a struggle. I believed God gave me this word because he wanted me to create new things this year. I have two book projects along with numerous small projects to complete. I still believe I’m to create new things, but now I also believe he wants me to learn the best ways to do that and to leave behind projects that don’t help fulfill my mission of reaching people for him with the written word.

When I’m busy, when I’m stressed, my creativity dries up. A migraine or exhaustion results, and I know I have to stop and take care of myself. Rather than hurting my productivity and creativity, taking a break rejuvenates me and gives me the strength I need to finish the project at hand. How quickly I forget this when the pressure of a deadline looms! I would do well to remember it. Continue reading “The Creativity Struggle” →

The Specter of Perfectionism

Posted on by Staci Mauney

This entry was first posted on May 26, 2019.

“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” (Ps 18:32, NLT)

Years ago, my parents and I worked on a house painting project together. Usually, my dad and I work well together. However, for that project, it seemed neither of us could do anything right. I wanted the room to look perfect when we were done, and I had a vision of the final version in my head. My dad didn’t do things my way, and I didn’t do things his way, so I almost scrapped the entire project before we started. My mom, caught in the middle, gave up and left us to it. In the end, we talked it out, compromised, and finished the job, which turned out better than I had hoped. Continue reading “The Specter of Perfectionism” →

What the Light Revealed

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.” (2 Sam. 22:29)

At this time last year, we were still in the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. Originally scheduled for three weeks and then extended to six, we believed we would get the virus under control and be back to our normal lives by Easter 2020.

Well, we all know how that turned out. Continue reading “What the Light Revealed” →

5 Bible Verses to Celebrate Easter

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“He is not here; he has risen!” (Lk. 24:6)

Because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, we can live a victorious life connected to him. By his grace, our sins are forgiven. Today, on Resurrection Sunday, I want to honor the occasion by sharing five verses to turn our hearts toward Jesus and lift our spirits. Continue reading “5 Bible Verses to Celebrate Easter” →