Some people have to learn by doing. Others learn by observing or by reading and study. Classrooms are designed to teach using the latter, most of the time. Hands on learning only comes in certain subjects.

I’m the type who learns by reading and observing. Before I had children, I watched how other people handled theirs and kept some ideas for future use and tossed others. This can work in really practical ways. But sometimes experience teaches us far more than we expected, and all of the book learning in the world can’t compare once real life hits us full force.

As an example – twelve years ago we decided to pull our children out of the Christian school and homeschool them. They were in 6th, 4th, and 1st grade. I knew the task would be daunting, so I spent months preparing. I attended support group meetings ahead of time, meeting other homeschool parents, and I read over 1000 pages on the subject.

I knew every style of homeschooling out there, had poured over dozens of catalogues looking for just the right materials, bought three new desks, and when that first Monday morning came, our pencils were sharpened – we were ready!

Nothing could have prepared me for that first week of homeschooling! None of the articles had told me how hard this would be! I was suddenly forced to make my children obey me not only for normal things but for all of their school work as well. They were easily distracted from the tasks at hand, and every day found me crying on the phone to my husband.

Every Monday also sent me to my knees, and looking back, I’m amazed we survived those first few months. It took experience to teach me that this was a task that I couldn’t really understand until I did it, and yet in the doing I learned so much! I could either quit, or I could trust the Lord to get me through. I had to surrender my quick temper and learn patience! (Trials bring patience, like it or not!) :) Twelve years later, I’m very glad we stuck it out.

I’ve found that the writing life is pretty similar. I’ve spent years studying the craft and writing seven books (almost done with #7!). I’ve learned patience through oodles of rejections, going to committe several times, and missing out yet again.

Sometimes I wonder what it will be like on the other side of rejection. How will my life change once my books land in the bookstores and start reaching an audience somewhere? Will anything I say touch another’s life? Will they love my work? Will they hate it?

There are a lot more questions I could ask, but life has taught me this. All of the books or articles on the subject will only half prepare me. Experience is the true teacher here.

When it comes down to anything in life, we need both kinds of learning. Read and study and observe – especially with regard to God’s Word – then live life and let God lead you on a journey filled with new experiences.

I’m looking forward to it!