“At some point, you have to stop,” said one of my favorite artists, Felicia Grace Wrape, about knowing when to pronounce a painting complete.
She confessed to me that at the beginning of her career, she would dab on extra paint until the last moment before a painting could be delivered safely. She would fuss over it . . . pray over it . . . even shed tears over it. She wanted it to be perfect.
As she became more confident in the talent God gifted her, she learned the importance of letting go and trusting Him. As she has drawn closer to Him, her heart now discerns when a painting is ready for display.
She said, “God truly guides and inspires me.”
During our conversation, it dawned on me that the same is true for writers. We fret over every word, churning out multiple drafts until we’re . . . okay, I’ll admit it . . . sick of our stories. We should never get to this point. Writing is our passion—it should be fun.
So, thanks to Felicia’s sage advice, I’m going to do a little more trusting and a little less agonizing. I’m not going to second guess my editor or worry about my critique partners’ differing views. I’ll remember whom I ultimately need to please and listen to the Holy Spirit’s whispers within me. Then, I’ll recognize that I’ve achieved my best.
How about you? Any tips on acknowledging when your project is complete?
This is a great column about letting go of the work God purposed us to do and trust Him! I especially like the picture!
Felicia’s art is AMAZING!