It’s been 16 years since I began my adventures in publishing. Though I’m not where I want to be, I am grateful that I’m not where I once was. That’s progress, friend.

As I write this post, one of my novels is out on submission. This novel is near and dear to my heart because it was the book I was writing when my dad passed away. In fact, I finished it five days after he died. I took all of my sorrow and pain and channeled it into this work in progress, and when I typed the last words, my cheeks were damp with tears. To say this book is a piece of me, is an understatement.

I don’t know where you are in your waiting game. Perhaps you are waiting for a new job, a child, a spouse, or something else entirely. Whatever you are waiting on, I know one thing for sure, you’re probably sick of the wait. I get it, friend. Waiting can be excruciating. Waiting can feel pointless. Waiting… well… it can suck.

I’m not going to deny that I’ve struggled with depression while I’ve waited. In fact, if you know me personally, you know I’ve been to some dark places during this season of wait. I’ve allowed doubt to cloud my judgement. I’ve sobbed in the bath. I’ve done my fair share of emotional eating, and probably ate your share, too. Let’s just say, I haven’t always found the joy in waiting.

Then, one day after another literary rejection, something sparked within me. I’m not entirely certain where the feeling came from, other than the Holy Spirit, but the pain didn’t feel so… well…painful, for lack of a better word. The wait didn’t feel so burdensome. Somehow, I had found peace in the uncertainty. Even more surprising, joy bloomed in my soul.

So, how did I do it? How did I transform my depression into joy while waiting? All I can say is I have an incredible husband, a supportive family, and doting friends—my therapist is fantastic, too.

In the end, though, I think the joy came from my resilient heart. It was okay if my publishing adventure was still loading because I had learned, through my wait, that flowers bloom, butterflies flutter, love inspires, and joy really does come in the morning… if you know where to find it.