My writing path defined: Illumined by the light: Jesus by Martina Keast

 

My topics cover Emotive Expressive Art Adventures, Inner Healing, Recovery from Childhood Sexual Abuse & Codependency, Spirituality, and lately, Releasing Creative Streams.

My writing path began in December 1981, forty-one years ago.

I don’t know why, but I bought a journal. My first journal entry was: Nicole has her first tooth. 😊

For the next few years, my journaling consisted of prayers and lists of bills, payments, and what we needed but didn’t have money for; there was always a list of carry-over items. My heart was heavy, and my mind carried many burdens.

In 2002, my journaling changed. I drove across Canada to Thunder Bay, On, and onto Wawa and then Missinabie to work.

I lived alone in a cabin, desperate for change. I begged and pleaded with Jesus. I cried, missing my children and grandchildren. I began to listen to Jesus and wrote down what I felt in my heart. (At that time, I did not know about dialogue journaling, yet I was engaging in this practice.) The twisting and turning and the wrestling were tangible and painful. I cried every day.

In 2004, I took a course called Addiction Worker. I began drafting papers. My papers were awful. A bunch of thoughts put on a paper without connection or flow. I don’t know how I ever passed my courses. Much grace was extended, I am sure.

This writing style would continue until 2009, when I experienced my first stream of consciousness writing, From One Soul Sister to Another. My love for the mission church, the co-workers and co-ministers became evident. I also began my journey with spiritual formation, not realizing I would study this in later years.

After accepting help from Pagemaster Publications, the Beaumont Book Writers Group, Elim Book Writers Club, and mentoring from Ruth L. Snyder and Kate Nash, I am becoming more proficient. I would not have passed my courses if it had not been for all the readers and commenters who contributed to my writing. I am truly blessed.

As an Expressive Art Practitioner [1](WAO), I see more hope, faith, and love in my writing. The darkness lifted. The light is shining in. Thank you, Jesus.

The new path I am on opened last year. The Dwelling Place project: Reflections on my journey toward wholeness, based on papers I wrote for Spiritual Formation and Adult Learning Courses, needed a special drawing card.

I spontaneously had the idea to add Sloan and Esther, an elderly couple, to the storyline.

I fell in love with both right away. They both feel safe and secure in their relationship. I like the way they support and care for each other.

I enjoy writing their conversations in various places on their hobby farms.

Today, I can see how writing about their relationship opened my heart and mind so I would be able to enter a relationship based on respect, honesty, and transparency, and it leaves me feeling safe and secure.

I invite the readers to share their thoughts on leaving the darkness and entering the light (life with Jesus), experiencing love, joy, and peace.

 

Martina Keast, MTS, EXAP, GCSICA

https://www.elimoasisofinnerhealing.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-keast-45546275/

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[1] With Dr. Markus Scott Alexander. World Art Organization, Edmonton AB.