The Grant Proposal: A Deadline is an Opportunity

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

An online devotional for writers

A Word From The Word

Make the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5:16, NLT)

A Word For Writers

The grant proposal was due at 5 PM. The narrative alone was 69 pages. Add to that the 12 required attachments, project timeline, the work plan … it was a massive project.

When I clicked “Send” just minutes before the deadline, I breathed a sigh of relief and said to myself, “I never want to experience that kind of pressure again.” The looming deadline had cultivated anxiety. I desperately wanted to write a strong application for my client, but I had not allotted enough time to do the job I wanted to do. The deadline had squelched my creativity and satisfaction and led to one simple mantra: “I’ve just got to get this done.”

I hadn’t made the best use of my time.

God used that angst-filled experience in a powerful way. Fast forward several months to a similar situation: the grant proposal narrative was 58 pages long and the grant required 21 attachments. Yet this time, I clicked “Send” three days before the deadline.

This time, I set aside time for research. I submitted drafts with extra turnaround built in. I was able to say, “I did everything I could to write a strong application. It’s in your hands, God.”

A deadline is an opportunity to plan ahead. God calls me to steward my writing time just as He calls me to steward my finances, my skills, and my relationships.

I have come to look at deadlines in two ways: Deadlines can be deadly. Or deadlines can be life-giving.

A Wise Word

Steward your writing time.

A Word To Pray

Heavenly Father,

You are timeless. We are bound by time, yet you give us plenty of time to do the tasks you’ve called us to do. Let me steward my writing time and use it wisely.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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