Over at http://www.yourwritersgroup.com/ editor Mick Silva suggests that, yes, the world needs us because it needs our words.
What a novel thought.
I look over my shoulder to glimpse time’s passing, to wonder how the moments slipped from then to now when I barely feel the years — except for the odd creak and groan as my body reminds me that I may have stopped aging, but it hasn’t. I crawl into my closet to ponder (quietly) the why and how and when of this thing I call a gift, to ask, “Lord, did you, in fact, design me for this: word crafting?”
Sometimes it’s hard to know the answer as rejections pile and years pass. I read voraciously of things published, both modern and not. When I find a particularly well crafted novel or essay, I feel inadequate. But then there are all those others.
“Think of all language as a holy expression of meaning from nothing,” writes Mick. “A calling out from chaos to ordained order. With every word, the dark marks on paper build, until the whole world is made new. From that angle, anything but awe-struck gratitude feels insufficient.”
Perhaps the importance then is not in success or worldly validation, but in crafting words that participate in the creative process. Words that touch the heart or mind, that reveal, that teach, that heal. If so, I can and must write whatever the Lord sets before me and do it with all my might: the letter that encourages, the poem that frees the spirit, the story that provokes laughter or tears.
And then I must release the words to fly where He wills.
Ah, Lord, with a grateful heart I sing the only way I know, with a silent voice and a full heart and letters typed by my fingertips.
That is so true, Normandie. If writing is a calling, then doing wha the Lord wants is not going to be fruitless. Whether or not I see that fruit in my own personal experience is up to God…I'll just keep doing what I'm called to do.
What a beautiful way to put it, some how takes the pain out of the rejections if you know that this is what God has placed on your heart. Thanks for sharing.
Ditto, and I especially agree with the aging body part. Help! I'm a young kid trapped in an old woman's body.
Oh, Linda, don't! I swore I'd never have saggy arms, and oh, how sad, I do! And are those wrinkles peeking out at me? Can't be…I'm still 18!I remember my paternal grandmother telling me that at 82 she still felt 18. I'd be lying if I said I did. And, really, I like being old enough to appreciate it all…
And Raquel and Heartfelt, I agree. If that's all there is, praise be. But we can keep asking, can't we? Yes, yes, I say!I heard a wonderful sermon today about how much God cares for each of us — and how much we are to care for others. So, let Him increase and let each of us decrease. Amen!?