Deus Ex Machina

God is definitely in the machine, but he is the author of life, the universe, and everything. If one were to make their life a story, God is there, always, and He can pull some pretty amazing miracles in your circumstances, a real life Deus ex machina, if 1) you recognize His omnipotence, 2) learn to see the graces He's granting you (whether they're what you want or not), and 3) accept His will over your own. He always has a better plan; although it may not be what you want in your earthly life, it will always be better for your soul for eternity. Don't wait to see no way; just accept His way. He knows everything. Trust Him. Quit trying to be your own god.

On a side note related to that truth a.k.a. faith, suffering purifies us and, when aligned with the suffering of Christ on the cross, is an act of of reparation for our sins to relieve Our Lord of His suffering. His passion and death was for all sins from the beginning to the end of time, even those we all commit or will possibly commit and the sins that those who come after us will commit. Consider now what He experienced during His passion and the incredible love of his forgiveness when we sin against him--the whips, the beatings, the nails, the thorns, etc. This is why we "give it up" to Him--to console Him.

That got a little sidetracked. Now, to get back on the point I wanted to make...

Twice in recent weeks during my adoration hour, my holy hour in front of the blessed sacrament (the Eucharist) exposed in the monstrance in the adoration chapel, I've sat with my mind on needing help with this story. Each time, I received a surge of ideas. However, it doesn't seem right that I'd be going into a creative mode while in the presence of God in this earthly state when there are so many more noble purposes for being there. That seems like it's taking me away from Him. That seems like it's putting earthly concerns before Our Lord. On the other hand, I've gone into adoration and received such unearthly insights that I learned to keep a journal and write them down. I refer back when I need to and am in awe of what was revealed to me. So, it's not like I haven't been given knowledge, but that can also happen during mass, which is super incredible to be given insights about the mass. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I'm left so humbled and awed that when I go through a period of dryness and distractions, I don't worry.

During my weekly holy hour, in which I unintentionally asked for guidance on what the Lord wanted of me since the story was falling flat, I had an explosion of ideas for this book that came despite being in a bit of a brain fog (perimenopausal fun *sigh*). It came so clearly amid the fog. While the devil can put thoughts in our heads, this did not involve scenes with any sin (sex/lust, blasphemy, heresy, etc.) but another good action story for the series to achieve what I want with all the hooks and mystery needed to keep a reader turning pages. I couldn't help but wonder if the devil was trying to distract me from being in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but then I just made my notes and prayed that this was God's will, not mine. I don't want to offend Him by rejecting the grace of help with the story.

However, one has to discern carefully the source of anything. As long as it's not promoting lust, greed, pride, envy, murder, cheating, etc. or breaking any commandment, I'll accept it. As long as I can honor God by promoting virtues in an entertaining way, I will. God is with us and will always answer our prayers; those answers may not be what we want, but He always knows what's best for our souls. I'm grateful that I can continue with this series and finish it. I've had several "answers" to my prayers that seem to point to that, but I try to remain vigilant to the wrong influences. I didn't used to do that, but my intention in writing has developed with my increasing devotion to my faith.

Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds will remain an adventurous and clean space opera that anyone can enjoy... and I WILL finish it, by the grace of God!

Thanks for reading!