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This essay is one of the daily devotionals for Oakwood United Methodist Church. I think it can speak to us as writers, or to anyone with a dream, a mission, a vocation. We all have something to offer, but all too often, the precious things we have to give are rejected.

When I was in high school, I entered a concerto competition. I played really well. I went home, confident I would get a call informing me I had been chosen as one of the winners. I didn't just stay home that day. I sat by the phone all afternoon. No call ever came.

At suppertime, I came downstairs and told my father how surprised and disappointed I was. I couldn't understand how such a great performance could be overlooked. My dad didn't seem concerned. "They decide who's going to win these things before the competition ever happens," he said.

It didn't comfort me much to be told it didn't matter how well I played, I was never going to win. I played a woodwind instrument. String players always won. End of story.

I wonder sometimes, if my father thought about his point of view before I came to him with questions. Did he know I would fail to win? Why didn't he warn me?

In college, I asked a teacher to help me prepare for an audition. He agreed, but told me I couldn't win the audition. No reason why, just, "You won't make it." I didn't consider this a warning, but a slap in the face. I didn't get the part.

Does it matter if we go into something with high hopes, or if we go on despite the certainty of failure? Would our behavior be any different if we knew what the outcome would be?

Normally, the Plot Sisters' website is intended to provide support for writers. Hopefully, this isn't depressing. We all have to deal with rejection. But we have to decide how we approach the attempts we make. High hopes and dizzying expectations are a good thing. They give us energy and enthusiasm. But when we feel down, we still can go on. Unless we decide to quit, we have to go on.

I encourage everyone to keep trying. I give no assurances, except for this:  Do whatever you do, your dream, your mission, your vocation, the best you can. Work, learn, grow. Do. This is how you define success. It doesn't matter at all if the world accepts it.

~Jen