Too Late to Pursue the Dream?

Tuesday Thought

I wrote my memoir, Trading Fathers, in my late fifties. At a writer’s conference, I pitched it to Tyndale’s acquisition editor. He seemed pretty interested. He gave advice on how to write about some sensitive aspects. We discussed publicity strategies and timelines. But six months later, that editor left Tyndale before he presented my project.

As I waited to hear from him, I began to think I was too old to shop it to a traditional publisher if it was going to take months to years just to get a publisher.

I wrote the memoir to enhance my credibility as a speaker. I believed God was calling me to lead retreats. The writing was auxiliary to the speaking. After the short circuit with Tyndale, I self-published. A faster route and I had the money.

In a few years, tired of the constant self-promotion, after seeking God’s permission, I quit facilitating retreats.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

But the fallacy in my thinking at the beginning was, “I’m too old.” I’m now in my early seventies. The weekly Sunday Psalms allow more ministry than I did then. The videos and the delivery in our worship services provide venues to pass on what He’s worked into my heart.

Was I too old to seek a traditional publisher? No.

God worked, as God does, with what I gave Him to work with. But I wasn’t too old to pursue another publisher.

Are you too old to do the thing you think God might want to empower you to do? I don’t know and you might be wrong if you think so. That’s a question between you and Him. And I encourage you to take that old dream to Him.

It might be that now is just the right time.