June 25, 2014

My Relationship With Writing By Vickie Stam

Proverbs 16: 24
Gracious words are the honeycomb,
sweet  to the soul and healing to the bones. 

For the first time I did something I had never done since high school. I began to write. Some time alone, daily reflections, a decent pen, and a journal. Whether it was in bed under the warm glow of a nearby lamp or curled up in a comfy chair; all I needed was a quiet place.

Whenever time afforded me the opportunity to write, I embraced it. The words inside my head sounded clear and concise. What was unclear to me -- was why? Why did I feel the sudden urge to write?

The first time appealed to me at the end of a trying day. The words spilled onto the pages without any hesitation. With my pen in hand I cried when I stared at the strokes that suddenly marred the crisp white pages. I wasn't prepared for my knack of setting all my emotions into words. My honesty stung. Still, I couldn't stop nor did I want to.

My writing seemed to flourish under the perception I was free to pen whatever I wanted. How liberating! On the other hand there were times when I imagined someone leafing through the pages that were the windows into my life. I marveled at the very thought of them creeping into the room having waited for just the right moment to pull my journal from it's hiding place and slowly peel back the pages. Each one exposed a layer of my life. I could conceive something so silly because I was certain it was never going to happen. An army would never find the book that held my heart between its cover. My thoughts were safe with me.

Time after time I found myself logging in to the story of my life. My fears, worries, hurts, laughter, desires, likes and dislikes. I wrote.

When I turned the last page it occurred to me, my writing evoked tremendous healing. It revealed the joy I thought I'd lost. And something else was also clear.....only God could have given me the remarkable power to transform everything I felt into words all the while showing me where to safely tuck them. Isn't it just like God to provide a way when we are faced with so many ups and downs. He didn't exempt me from any circumstances, good or bad. He simply provided a path.

What started out as a journey towards healing moved on to contentment.

Colours paint the world. A smile illustrates joy. Tears
express pain. Moments are defined as happy or
sad. Love binds two hearts. Forgiveness heals the broken.
Resilient depicts a person.

Words are my friends. Writing is my passion.


       
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven... a time to embrace and a time to refrain... a time to be silent and a time to speak. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5, 7 NIV








9 comments:

  1. Vickie, these words in your post resonated with me: "Isn't it just like God to provide a way... He didn't exempt me from any circumstances, good or bad. He simply provided a path."

    It fills my heart with joy to know that he draws others in the same way he's drawn me. It's like a secret club, and our Lord elects the members. Amazing!

    God bless
    Bobbi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautifully written. Thanks for opening a window to your thoughts! Vickie

    ReplyDelete
  3. "He didn't exempt me from any circumstances, good or bad. He simply provided a path." Beautiful words that drive home the message that God is not in the business of magic. Rather, He blesses us as we move into the realm of realization that He, alone, is the Master of Words and giver of gifts. What a responsibility and joy it is to glorify Him however/wherever He leads.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks Vickie
    The way we can write to right our worlds ... you said it well. I connected.

    ReplyDelete
  5. "Words are my friends." yes, yes, yes! Sometimes we feel like we're fighting with words but when they allow us to process life and remind us of God's goodness, then they are good. Today I am thankful for God's Words of life to us. Thanks for your post that reminded me of that.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Vicki,

    The sentence that really spoke to me was this one:

    What started out as a journey towards healing moved on to contentment.

    As writers, we need to write for our own healing and our own transformation first.

    Thank you for that reminder.

    Blessings,
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  7. Vickie:
    I am jealous of your experience. To be able, even drawn into setting out your feelings and emotions seems so liberating.
    But it is also compelling, for you must reflect the passions of most of us with that genuine expression.
    Bryan

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love how God has given you a way to express your emotions through writing. It is so encouraging to see how God cares for us in unique and individual ways!
    Pam Mytroen

    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.