Scribed In Light

Where Reflections Bring Healing, Grace and Renewal

PLOT TWISTS: When Life’s detours lead to the best stories

I didn’t set out to wrestle PDFs today…or whisper lovingly to a rogue skunk through a nail trim rebellion. I didn’t foresee flair or fangs. I began the day with a plan- A nice, tidy list of goals.

A bit of writing, a sprinkle of housework, a cup of steaming coffee. You know, the usual fantasy. But somehow, in the thick of interruptions, a whole new story pranced in, tiptoeing on clouds, and carried by a breeze of unexpected grace – and musky skunk aromas.

Somewhere between feeding a zoo, WPS hiccups, Evernote confusion, prepping tonight’s supper, disappearing files, and calming my inner tornado… a little story was born. A story filled with a ribbon-tailed skunk, flair and giggles, sensory magic…and sass. So much sass.

Meet Reek. My lavender, badger-faced, skunk. He’s dramatic, proud, and deeply suspicious of anything not labeled “FOOD”. He most certainly side-eyes me when it’s “Nail Day” – and has a signature move, like a greased ballerina, wrestling free from my hold – while spinning into flight with tail fluffed in full plume. This is where my day spun out of its original lane.

And yet – what emerged?

A full, rhythmic, sensory-packed children’s manuscript. Born out of detours, distractions, and the usual lovable chaos that defines my world.

I had no idea I was writing a children’s book today. Honestly, I thought I was just trying to organize my notes. But God had a different outline in mind.

Some days, we sit down thinking we’re in charge.

But life has this wild, holy habit of rerouting us through laughter, exasperation, tech confusion, snack prep, and skittering fur-babies – and if we’re patient enough to ride it out, we might just find that what emerged is better that what we originally planned.

So, if your day’s feeling scrambled. If your list is unraveling before your very eyes. If your creative attempts feel more like flying circus acts – Pause. Laugh. Breathe. Trust that something meaningful is being written anyway. Even if it includes a reluctant skunk, a buzzing nail file, and a Snack Boss waving a treat pouch like a magic wand.

Because sometimes, the most unexpectedly beautiful stories aren’t the ones we sit down to write – they’re the ones that sneak up on us between life’s most chaotic pages.

Life often unfolds of its very own accord, and isn’t that where the beauty of it truly rests?

We don’t have to write the perfect script. We just have to show up, stay soft within the blind-curves, the unforseen detours, and trust the Author who sees our entire canvas, and the full terrain we are navigating.

I have to be honest in saying that this is the truest form of my everyday life. On one edge of the sword I pray you can relate- while on the flip side, my hope is that your day isn’t filled with as many potholes, and hurdles as mine. In either case, I rise and lay down my vision for the day. Step into it confidently, and yet, somewhere between the rising steam of morning coffee and the wild ride of mid-afternoon; I find myself lodged in the thick of detours – feeling like a tornado-wrangler on a unicycle, waving a glue stick in one hand with both shoe laces tied together. It’s laughable, really, how far my plans drift from my reality. But more often than not, the unraveling leads me somewhere richer than I imagined.

Because maybe the beauty isn’t in holding control, but in leaning to release it. Maybe the win isn’t that perfectly executed list, but a heart that can pivot with grace, respond with laughter, and breathe through the unknown. These are the hidden turns that often lead us to clarity, purpose, and peace – the kind that doesn’t come from managing it all, but from trusting the One who already sees the full terrain.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass - it's about learning to dance in the rain" - Vivian Greene
"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein

When you find yourself feeling like a paper hanger caught within hurricane winds and one arm tied behind your back…I pray you find the grace to pause, take a deep breath, laugh, and trust the process that is unfolding.

Light, love, and hugs,

Tina

One response to “PLOT TWISTS: When Life’s detours lead to the best stories”

  1. Herald Staff Avatar

    Tina, this is such a beautiful message and inspiring reflection! Life’s detours really do have a way of leading us to the best (and often most unexpected) stories. Your journey from a simple to-do list to a full-fledged children’s manuscript—guided by a mischievous skunk, no less!—is such a perfect example of how creativity often finds us in the midst of chaos.

    I admire how you embrace the unpredictability of life with humor, faith, and grace. Your writing is always a good reminder, to me especially, that sometimes the best thing we can do is let go, laugh, and trust that something wonderful is unfolding—even if it starts with a fluff-tailed escape artist in a bad mood.

    Your perspective is such an encouragement. Here’s to more unexpected joys, more beautiful detours, and yes—more adventures with Reek’s dramatic flair! Keep dancing in the rain, my friend!
    –Scott

    Liked by 1 person

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Tina N. Campbell

Centerville, Ohio 45459

echoesofgrace66@gmail.com