Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Tempest over a teacup, sort of....



All my characters surprise each other with their secrets. My heroine feels guilty of causing the deaths of two people she cares deeply about, as I've already mentioned. Later in the story, her beloved mother-in-law reveals a secret in order to comfort the heroine. But the heroine accuses her of terrible hypocrisy. We also discover the villain we hate to love because he's funny and caring, has a reason for his evil. Yet, he must not go free after what he's done.

The surprises build toward the ending.

Sometimes God surprises us, too, doesn't He? My husband had to go to Tokyo, and his boss's wife and I surprised ourselves by tagging along.


We explored the beautiful city of Tokyo, met Joel Cuellar, a pastor from Tokyo Baptist Church, went shopping at the Oriental Bazaar. There we found a teacup with a geisha's face inside the bottom, chopsticks and odd little holders, musical jewelry boxes that play "Sukiyaki" (yes, I bought one,) all sorts of fun things.

But, after finding our way the whole distance from our

hotel to our destination, we couldn't find the exit from the subway.

"I feel like Alice down the rabbit hole!" I told her.
Next day, without leaving the hotel, this time, lol, we attended a lovely tea ceremony. The beautiful young geisha served my friend the green tea matcha powder stirred in hot water with a bamboo whisk and poured into a white stoneware cup with no handles.


Then, I was served. What a surprise to receive a light blue porcelain cup with a small character from that classic, not-very-Japanese tale, Alice in Wonderland-- the White Rabbit!


Don't you just love the Lord? Isn't He fun? I guess there are those who would think that's silly. That's just a coincidence. But I believe that coincidences are His smiles and frowns. And this was a smile, blessing a child of His having fun.

Again, for the skeptics: The more I attribute to His gracious hand in my life, the more I seem to see it. God is so good.

Click on Comments, below, if you'd like to share a surprise or coincidence--God-incidence--in your life. I'd love to hear it!

10 comments:

Kristy Dykes said...

Hi, Margo. Your blog is fab. You said on the ACFW loop to come cheer you up. Wow, it doesn't look like you need cheering up. You're such an encourager! The Bible says God orders our steps (and our stops, as added by D.L. Moody). So God has your writing career under control. He has a plan. On a side note, I just ordered Lost Shepherd from amazon.com since you raved about it. God bless--

Heidi Dru Kortman said...

Hello, Margo. Happy Birthday. I had a rejection of sorts last night, myself. I'm not a finalist in a short story contest. It means that 396 other people will wind up as annoyed as I am. I haven't checked my submissions list to see how many rejections I am along the road to that mythical thousand, but the story will go out again, elsewhere. I'm one of many ACFW'ers.

Margo Carmichael said...

Hi, Kristy, thanks for both posts, LOL! I almost have this e-thing figured out! Thanks for *your* encouragement!

Margo Carmichael said...

Thank you, Julie!

Margo Carmichael said...

Heidi, love it--"It means that 396 other people will wind up as annoyed as I am." LOL! Hang in there!

Camy Tang said...

Sorry to hear about the R, Margo. :( You seem to have a GREAT attitude about it, though. Wish I could be as cheerful when I get them!

My best coincidence came this year. I had prayed and fasted about quitting my job to try writing full time for 6 months, but hadn't gotten a clear booming answer from God. So I prayed, "Lord, I'm jumping ship! If you don't want me to do this, you better say something!" And I turned in my resignation.

That same week, I found out I had finaled in the Noble Theme contest. That was totally God's timing and His affirmation.

Camy

Margo Carmichael said...

PS, Kristy--can't wait to hear how you liked _Lost Shepherd_. I think it'll be just your cup of tea!

Jenny said...

Happy Birthday Margo and thanks for stopping by my blog.
As for God-instances, I had one today. Went to school not feeling well--tummy flip-flopping--and at one point I just closed my eyes and prayed, "Lord, please send someone, I need help."
A hand touched my shoulder, as the words formed in my head, and I jumped. Remember, I teach kindergarten and altho I'm not that tall, they can't reach that high. I turned to find another colleague who comes and does a progam called Second Step there. I could have hugged her. I definitely told my Abba thank you!
Abundant blessings!

Anonymous said...

Margo, I am so excited to have discovered your blog. I agree that God loves to delight us in the manner of the teacup with the white rabbit. I believe they are His unexpected kisses that bring joy to His children.

May He keep kissing you with more white rabbits. :-)

Blessings,
MaryAnn

Eulene said...

hello, i'm the owner of the blog that you just tagged on just now. You are pretty! I'm interested in Japan and culures too. I love the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha"! You should watch it too!