August 21, 2014

What if--Writing Through a Glass Dimly by Jocelyn Faire

All the what if's in the world, wishing on stars—it won't change a thing ... determination, perseverance and a twist of fate changed my life and writing.

Writing through a glass dimly ... like a fog ...

“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” That used to be the way I lived my life, my most prolific sewing happened with three small children attached to my body like extra limbs. Busyness, the accepted hallmark of Christian faith—the way many of us lived and still do, life filled with those appointed good works .... and then a twist of fate ... For me it was drastic and tragic ... the accident that took two children, the nest emptied, so torn apart by grief that barely a few twigs remained of that once-happy and full family nest.

And now, I am in that place where I have the time.

And the sense of urgency has decreased.

Now the need to write, is to make sense of this world, to give Hope a voice. I ache to express the beauty, the pain, and the God behind both. Being has become more important than doing.

Having the time or money to write, is not my issue—the issue is having the resilience to carry on, to respond to be creative and willing in all aspects of life, including writing.

When I read the question for this month, I didn't know quite how to approach it.

Perhaps that right time to do the things we keep on a bucket list, is once we get to heaven, when we are not seeing through the glass dimly. And then what? What will I have to write about? The tears will be gone, I will not be needing to overcome these great obstacles ... what will John Grisham write about? Ian Rankin ... who needs murder mysteries? Or those self-help books ... or, perhaps I should write now, because in Heaven I won't need to express the twisting doubts?

This summer I lost a very dear friend, a heart issue at age 57... and the bereft family said in the initial email ... she went to her eternal rest.

One thing I know about my friend, she wouldn't want to be in eternal rest. I don't think that's what Heaven's about. I used to wonder about eternity ... if it was going to be forever anyways, I saw no rush to get there, but once I had two term deposits up there, my outlook changed. Randy Alcorn's book, Heaven paints a phenomenal picture of experience and beauty, an exciting future he believes will greet us upon arrival. And he is convinced that we get to continue on in our creativity, and work in the eternal future. (This is not a theology piece on heaven.) So will I be writing up there? Or should I finish my stories here below? And 1 Corinthians comes to mind, If I speak (write) with the tongue of men and angels, but have not love, I'm a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal.


While kayaking last week, heavy with thoughts of my friend's life, praying about the upcoming funeral, I saw the most exquisite flowers, unlike any I had ever seen before, what made them so unique? They were underwater. I have seen enough seaweed and lily pads, where the blossoms rest on top of the water, to know this was exceptional, ... I kayaked over the clear blue green mountain lake waters again, to be sure my eyes had not deceived ... yes there, through the water glass dimly, were tiny yellow and white flowers a few feet below the surface ... the water dimmed their colours, but they truly were blooming where planted.

I think I can continue to write from under the water as long as I keep my kayak aimed at the Son!


Jocelyn writes about Hope in the Hard Places on her blog.


 

7 comments:

  1. Dear Jocelyn, my heart aches for your loss, but rejoices in the voice the Lord has given you. Your turn of phrase, (Term Deposits in heaven? Beautiful!), your understanding of loss through God's eyes...

    Yes, you have much to write and share with those trying to make sense of this life. Eternity will come, but your job has been set apart now. I look forward to reading more.

    Bobbi

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your honesty and ability to express yourself. Like Bobbi Junior, my heart also aches for you. Writing is also a tremendous healing for me. I say, keep writing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an emotionally charged piece. I can only imagine and really don't want to... thank you for your candor and your strength

    ReplyDelete
  4. My heart aches for you too, Jocelyn. But I also love how God reveals Himself and His love for you through flowers blooming "through the water glass dimly." Thanks for the photo too. And I pray that you can keep your kayak aimed at the Son.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for sharing so personally. Grief changes our perspective drastically doesn't it?
    Your comments are a strong reminder that faith is an anchor, not only in the darkest times of life, but provides hope and direction beyond them.
    I see a far deeper view and understanding of life in your writings resulting from your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you all for your supportive comments ... I truly do say frequently, there is much beauty in this world.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is lovely, Jocelyn. Yes please do keep writing and providing that voice of Hope that is so very needed! I find myself drawn to bloggers and writers that are uplifting and hopeful, whether it be in the suspense genre (I love Grisham), or in the romantic comedy genre (Janice Thompson), and lots of others too, but anytime there's hope and humour, I'm there. You are needed down here!
    Pam M.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to join in the conversation. Our writers appreciate receiving your feedback on posts you have found helpful or meaningful in some way.