What's your muffin?

What's your muffin?  That's a strange question, I know.  I had a very real dream last night and it gave me cause to pause and ponder its meaning and ask you, "What's your muffin?"

In my dream I was a muffin baker...a little strange, I agree!  But there I was a brand new muffin baker.  I had been getting excellent attention from my muffins-people LOVED them!  I was so proud.  I created my new muffin, double chocolate with a cream cheese frosting. I gave this new muffin to a friend and she turned her nose up in the air and said how horrible and awful it was.  I was devastated.  How could she be so mean about it?  I mean really if you don't like the muffin, then for crying out loud don't eat it, but you don't have to be rude.  In my dream I remember feeling very sad and wanted more than anything to give up my muffin baking, which I was fully prepared to do. 

Until a young woman came up to me, so excited to see me.  "Are you the maker of these muffins?" she asked.  She threw her hands around me, gave me a hug and said, "These are the best muffins in the world!  Thank you for baking them!  I can't wait to try your new muffins!" 

When I woke up from my dream, I immediately understood the correlation to my own life.  My muffins are my books.  There are many times I find myself feeling down wondering why I have started on this particular journey.  Its not the easiest thing to do, to put something so personal and intimate out for the world to see and judge.  Especially when I've worked so hard to blend in unnoticed.  This journey is cram packed full of rejections and let downs.  And often times I'm left pondering what it would be like to walk away from what I started. 

And then just like my dream something amazing happens!  Somebody I've never even met, contacts me thanking me for writing the book. Or maybe its a young teenager who was inspired by the "Service Squad" or "Do Good Posse" (check out Finding the Perfect Wave) and has decided to do service with her young friends.  Or maybe its the simple phrase, "I loved the book and can't wait for the next one!"  These are those moments when I realize there is still so much to do!  There are more wholesome, faith promoting and entertaining stories to be told! 

So now I ask you once again...What's your muffin?  What's your special contribution to the world that only you can offer?  Whatever it is...don't give up on it!  Even if someone tells you that your muffin is disgusting...somebody else is going to LOVE it!