“A strong woman knows what to do. She must pick up the paddles and with all her courage row out there, to her very own portion of the sea. She may have to row around in circles a bit, or dive down some, but soon she will spot them either bobbing in the water or resting on the floor of the sea, the treasures she thought she had lost for good.”—Portion of the Sea

When my first son was two years old, and my second three months old, I found myself submerged in motherly joy. I also found myself overwhelmed, not only with domestic responsibilities, but thoughts of what if I never find the time and energy to write again? My first novel, Sanibel Scribbles was done, but now with two babies relying on me for their every whim, I could see my writing, like a treasure, slipping beneath the water, deeper each day.

I knew I had a choice. I could put my writing on hold until a time in my life when I had more time, or I could reclaim the gift (my passion to write) that I believe God has placed within me. I chose to reclaim and I’ll never forget the first time I picked up the paddles, setting my alarm for five in the morning and rowing out there, tiptoeing in darkness to the stairs outside my boys’ bedroom, nothing but the light of my laptop, writing around in circles at first, rowing, rowing, rowing, writing, writing, writing, and the next morning going there again as the rest of the world slept, anchored on those stairs alone—my own portion of the sea—month after month, year after year until my boys would wake and my novel was done.

I now have three children, four books published, and less time than I did before. There are other treasures, besides writing, that I struggle to keep afloat, but I find comfort in the acceptance that not everything can be kept afloat all the time. Not long ago, I found myself battling fatigue. It was as if a tarp had been tossed over me, suffocating my ability to think creatively. I knew I had to reclaim my energy and so I made lifestyle changes that included buying a juicer. After adding fresh vegetables and fruits to my diet, my energy—a priceless treasure—reclaimed! I would now love to get in better shape physically, lifting weights as I once did. The stronger the body is, the easier it is to row out there to reclaim what is ours in life.

At the start of 2010 I noticed that another of my treasures—spirituality—had been glistening less and so I committed to reading the Bible in a Year with a group of special friends. I often find myself reading long after my family has gone to sleep and the house is dark but for the tiny candle lighting my way. Sometimes I fall behind in my reading, but then I pick up speed, rowing, rowing, reading, reading, losing an hour of sleep. There is nothing easy about it, but whoever said treasure hunting was easy?

I’m wondering if others notice their treasures no longer glistening as they once did. Can you see the things you loved doing now bobbing up and down in the hustle and bustle of life, or have your passions slipped deep down below the surface where you can no longer see them at all? Do you ever have a thought, like remember when I use to run, dance, sing, or pray? Remember when I loved to paint, or wanted to learn the piano, or ate healthier foods, or laughed more? Are you ready to pick up the paddles and row out there?

“Whether a heart full of love, or a soul that once prayed or a mind that loved learning, or the body that felt better, they are still your treasures and are waiting to be reclaimed.”—Portion of the Sea