by Jeanne Takenaka, @JeanneTakenaka

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been a “One Word” gal for years. I’ve learned about focus, perspective, and enough. One of my most impacting One Words was Authentic. I could have studied that word for two years . . . or for five.

As I prayed and asked the Lord to show me my One Word for this year, He gave me . . .

“Live.”

Our family walked through some trials last year, and my go-to mode became “Manage.”

In the process of managing—of moving from one demand to the next—I forgot how to live. How to experience each moment, each emotion that accompanied the trials.

Managing can be a way to survive hard seasons in the short term, but I don’t recommend it as a way of life.

As I move into 2019, I’m asking God what He wants me to learn about “Live” when it comes to writing life.

It’s easy to plot out my story and to determine where my characters will journey. I’ve discovered, though, that when I have every possible detail planned out, sometimes, I’m managing my characters. I’m directing my story.

Sometimes, learning to live means trusting others. In real life, I need to trust my Father, and the people He places in my path.

In writing life, sometimes, I need to relinquish my plans for the story and let the characters speak, and travel in directions I never expected. I must let them live and breathe and experience.

When I release control of the story, my characters add nuances I never expected. When I let them live and be who they are (even when it isn’t pretty), the story gains depth . . . and life.

I suspect that, just as God has lessons for me to learn in real life, He’s also planned lessons for my writing journey.

I can manage my stories—my characters—or I can loosen my hold and let them live. Something tells me I will learn and live in new ways as I trust God to guide my stories in directions I never envisioned.

In real life, I’m seldom given a voice in what joys and trials enter my life. God has ways of bringing me to places where I must choose to trust Him.

In writing life, I can have control of my story. But, when I exercise complete control, the story suffocates. Here too, I need to trust. I must give the characters leeway.

Even more, I need to trust God to lead my words, even when they wander to places I never imagined.

The great thing about learning to live is that I don’t have to do it on my own. I have a Father who loves me and wants me to experience more of Him. He gives me stories, and when I trust Him, He nuances the plots I create and adds His supernatural touches.

Just like He does in real life.

What about you? How do you choose trusting God with your stories over managing every detail yourself?

Award-winning aspiring novelist, Jeanne Takenaka, writes contemporary inspirational fiction that tackles real-life issues with a heart to draw women closer to God and those around them. She lives near the mountains in Colorado with her amazing husband and two exuberant boy-men. She loves being God’s girl—always learning about His grace, hanging out with friends and enjoying a great cup of coffee. When she’s not writing you can find her with a camera in her hand, looking for #alittlebitofpretty in her days. You can connect with her on her blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter.