The COVID Grinch Who Tried to Steal Christmas by Sandi Somers

In 2020, COVID-19 turned our lives upside down. As Christmas approached, there were no live concerts or special events to attend. Shopping was curtailed. Without the usual pre-Christmas activities, I walked around the neighbourhood in the early evenings to enjoy bright Christmas lights. All white at one house, multicoloured at another, red and green at still another.

By mid-December, with COVID cases rising in Alberta, our premier limited Christmas dinners to only one or two persons outside the household. This meant that our extended family dinner of up to 22 people would be cancelled. I stayed home alone.

I had been thinking about doing something special for my neighbours in our cul-de-sac. The COVID lockdown in the spring had brought us together out on the street, chatting and getting to know each other better. So as Christmas neared, I thought of extending good-will by baking cookies for each family. My first reaction was – would people be afraid of home cooked food carrying COVID germs? But the more I turned it over in my mind, the more I received prompts which I know came from the Lord—a message at church, online lists of unique Christmas gifts, and even a suggestion in a magazine.

The Sunday before Christmas, our cul-de-sac was torn by grief. We received news that my next-door neighbour Darrell had died in a freak accident. He had been kite surfing at the family cottage when a gust of wind blew him up, and then when the wind died, he fell. Hard. On his stomach. He was airlifted to an Edmonton hospital but passed away. It was a dark time for his wife, Stacey, and her three children, and by extension, all of us in our cul-de-sac. We showered the family with love and food, letting them know we cared.

Could this be the way the Grinch of COVID Christmas would steal meaning to our darkest time of the year?

A day later, snow began falling just before dusk. And falling. And falling. Early next morning while it was still dark, I went out to clear off my driveway. Oh! My! Goodness! The snow was heavy and deep. Several neighbours across the street banded together to shovel and push a car that was parked along the street—someone would be late for work! People brought out their shovels and snow blowers and began clearing their driveways. The owners surrounding the widest circle of the cul-de-sac piled the snow into one huge snowbank in the middle—a perfect playground for the children.

I kept watching the activity as I shovelled, throwing the snow up to the ever-increasing ridges beside my driveway. I tired out when I was only half finished, so I came inside for breakfast. When I returned, my next-door neighbour Don volunteered to finish with his snowblower.

It was a delightful morning. Neighbours helping neighbours.

Meanwhile, I had been baking Christmas cookies. Then the day before Christmas, I gift-wrapped them and wrote Christmas notes, especially thanking each household that had decorated their houses and yards with lights. I was surprised as so many thanked me. Before I was finished, Liana across the street texted that her children were already eating and loving the cookies. No fear of COVID germs there! The Italian family wished me a "Buon Natale." Janice said that I made her day.

On Christmas Eve, Karen next door brought over a Ukrainian dinner—her husband Don has Ukrainian heritage--cabbage soup, buns, pierogies, cabbage rolls, haddock, Kucha, wheat dessert, turtle brownies and two peanut butter cups. What a sweetheart! While eating, I watched online the replay of my usual Christmas Eve service—but this time attended by only a few people.

On Christmas day, our cul-de-sac was unusually quiet, with almost no traffic and smaller than usual dinners. Kids and neighbours dropped off thank you gifts, saying how much they appreciated my hospitality.

The next evening, Karen brought over a traditional Christmas dinner—lovely turkey and ham with all the accoutrements—enough for two meals. I did have a moment of emotion to know I wouldn't be with family this year, even though I had arranged a Zoom meeting with everyone the next day, our usual 26th family dinner.

For the rest of the evening, I listened to The Messiah and other Christmas CDs and knew that Christmas was not cancelled, just delightfully different.

What the Grinch of COVID didn’t understand was that our isolated world needed love, kindness, and neighbourliness. He did not understand that God was still with us. Nor did he understand that the darker the time, the brighter the light shines.

He could not steal our Christmas.

Sandi Somers writes personal essays and inspirational articles on how God reveals Himself to us in both small and strategic events. When winter approaches, she enjoys writing Christmas-related stories to send to her loved ones. Sandi writes from her home in Calgary, Alberta.

Christmas Gone Awry by Brenda J Wood

His slippers hung upon the floor. The bed was surly made.
Everything she should have done that day was stuck inside her head.
Today, she left the floor unswept while all the veggies burned.
Made soggy soup, left crumbs around, while the carton of milk just turned.

Santa would be missing her. She knew she failed the test
Of naughty versus nice and good. No getting gifts for mess.
She would never get another present. Her life was over. Done!
If cleanliness be next to Godliness, she failed both God and Son!

No hope now for the fixes. Her time to change—undone.
For truly the next morning brought Christmas A.M. sun!
She collapsed in corner, sad, awaiting her own fate
When Santa came back home and plunked down for dinner plate.

But he, as men are wont to do, boomed brightly through the door.
Exclaiming Merry Christmas, while tromping messes on the floor.
I'm here! It's me! The job is done and here's your present, dear!
Your darling hubby, Santa, is home with you for another year!

She sighed. Rejoiced in safety, but secretly repined
And wished for Christmas stocking with diamonds as her find.
But no, it was just like last year's. No special gift for her.
Santa was too tuckered out. Oh yes, indeed, for sure.


(Top) Image by Dorota Korgul-Gawlikowska from Pixabay

Brenda J Wood has authored more than fifty books. She is a seasoned motivational speaker, who declares the Word of God with wisdom, humour, and common sense.

The Night the Sky Sang by Lorrie Orr

 

December is a month filled with story, the story of God reaching down in love. This month’s prompt asks you to share a story about Christmas. It can be funny, poignant, sad, or inspirational.

The Night the Sky Sang

I know what people think about shepherds. Crude, smelly, and not very intellectual. Our lives are ordinary, even tedious. It's hot in the daytime and cold at night. Sheep are stupid animals - they get themselves into a lot of trouble if there's no one watching them. You can't be a shepherd and be lazy. It might not take much education, but it does take skill and perseverance. We shepherds usually work as a team and keep an eye out for each other's sheep. It's more efficient. 

I like the nights best of all. We find a bit of shelter from the wind, perhaps against a big rock, and build a fire. There's conversation. Mixed in with the chitchat some serious debate goes on. Philosophy, you might call it. Life, love, and politics. On such a night my life changed. 

The fire was dying down. I lay on my back, wrapped in my cloak, watching the stars. How far away they looked, and how beautiful. Conversation dwindled to silence. My eyelids sagged, weighted by sleep. Then, blinding light. I awoke with a start. From out of nowhere appeared this glowing being. I know it was an angel, but to this day I can't completely describe it. I jumped to my feet along with the other shepherds. Then I cowered in fear. I was certain I would be struck dead. Instead, I heard a voice say, 

"Don't be afraid. Listen to me. I have good news for you."

The angel went on to tell us about the birth of a baby, a Saviour, the Saviour we had been waiting for. He said it was news of great joy for the whole world. Before I had time to really think about his words, the sky filled with more angels, and music. It was as if the stars and angels whirled and danced together in a vast chorus of light and sound.

The sight tore at my heart and caused such an ache of longing deep inside that I clutched my hands to my chest. The song was perfect, the most perfect thing I'd ever heard. It made me long to join them, to raise my cracked warble in the same harmony of praise to Almighty God. Tears ran down my skin, and I knew the message of the angels was for me. God was sending his son into my stinky, dirty world.

Then just as suddenly as they came, the angels left. The stars had hardly changed position. The small fire still burned low. Everything was the same, and everything was different. We stood there, our hearts thumping wildly. 

"Did you see...?"

"Could it be?"

"Let's go!"

The angel had told us where to find the baby, and we stumbled over rocks and tufts of grass in our eagerness to get there. We stood outside the stable, hesitant for a moment. A man appeared, tired, with a puzzled look on his face. None of us knew what to say to him. Then Jethro stepped forward.

"Please," he said, "we want to see the Saviour, the baby."

And then we all spoke at once, blurting out words about angels and music. The man smiled slightly, then beckoned us to enter.

My eyes were drawn to the baby, so helpless, lying in a manger. His mother watched us carefully but said nothing as we crowded nearer. I even dared to reach out and touch his soft, tiny head with my rough fingers. 

We left soon after, seeing the fatigue on the young mother's face. I knew that I couldn't keep this news to myself. It was too wonderful, too amazing. I told everyone I met about the baby. And then, I went back to the sheep, to the hillside and the night fires, but I wasn't the same person inside.

God, who lived beyond the stars, was suddenly close. That night I caught a glimpse of him. Now when I go to the Temple and hear the priests' monotone reading of the glory of God, I think back and even now, my breath catches in my throat. 

            

           Lorrie Orr loves Christmas and is so glad for the gift of Immanuel, God with us. She writes from Victoria, BC, where she always hopes for a bit snow in winter, but celebrates whatever the weather. More of her writing can be found at her blog, Fabric Paper Thread, and on Substack, where she is posting excerpts from her memoir, Life is Short but Wide.  

            

When You Hear That Negative Voice: Guest Post by Peggianne Wright

 

Please welcome Peggianne Wright as she joins us today as our Guest Blogger.

 

My heart flutters at an almost immeasurable speed, my stomach does summersaults and is tied in knots all at the same time, my fingers tremble as they hover over the keyboard. There's a voice inside my head taunting me with a maniacal laugh saying, "Who do you think you are?".

Imposter syndrome.

We've all, at one point or another in our writing careers, suffered the anguish and self-doubt inspired by listening to the wrong voice in our minds. Allowing space for the negativity to creep in and grow. It's always been a mystery to me why, in our human nature, we're more apt to believe the negative than the positive? 

As a writer hovering somewhere between advanced beginner and competent, I find I am in need of learning and relearning the habits required to push self-doubt and overthinking out of my head. And, in the process of doing this, avoid the temptation of sinful pride. Whew, that sure can be a fine line. 

Scripture tells us that God created each of us for our unique purpose (Jeremiah 29:11) and He alone is in control (Job 42:2). If we endeavour to fill our minds with the right thoughts, the words flowing from our pens and keyboards will not be ours to claim, but the Father's, who has given us the manuscript. It is then, that we can beat down and smother that negative voice, knowing that our work is God-inspired and His to give credit.

Preparation to Propel the Enemy

Just as an athlete must prepare for a competition by stretching or a musician by tuning their instrument, so too should we as scribes do some pre-writing conditioning. Create a routine that includes the following steps and practice it before (or after, or during) each and every writing session. 

Prayer is more powerful than most of us realize. So, even before we open our laptop or pick up that ballpoint, let us stop and give thanks for our God-given talent. Ask God for His direction and pray that whatever writing we're about to do be of His will. Pray that what we're about to write honours Him and points our readers to Him. On my glass desktop I have written, directly beside my laptop, in bold block letters with erasable white marker "PRAY FIRST".

We must allow our faith and the Holy Spirit to guide us. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" (Romans 8:26 NIV). Always remember that the Father wants us to be successful in whatever we do and faithfully guides us if we're listening closely. The Apostle Paul counselled his congregation, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13 NIV), reminding them (and us) that in all we do, we will be guided on our path by the Holy Spirit.

Bless others always. Fellow scribes are all experiencing the same feelings. We must take time to keep each other in our prayers as well. Just as the military needs to "have each others' backs", so too must we, as members of God's army, support each other. "Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to build him up." (Romans 15:2 NIV)

We are all authentically original. So, in those times when that nasty voice murmurs those taunts, I have learned to immediately stop and call on the Lord for His intervention. After all, He alone has led me on my writing journey and I call it an honour, privilege, and duty to point others to Him through my craft. 

"But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you." (2 Timothy 3:14 NLT) 

                                       

About the writer: Peggianne Wright is a published author and is the founder of the pet parent ministry Paws To Pray, blending her passion for the Lord and all-things-K9 to form this unique, faith-based community. Peggianne is an ardent Bible study student, devoted dog mom, wife of 44 years, and lover of music. Her blogs Spiritual Scribbles and Fur-Kid Fanatics can be found on her website www.PawsToPray.ca and you can follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PawsToPray/ and on IG @Sister_In_Prayer.

Writers as Keepers by Michelle Joy Teigrob

 

What if we as Christian writers see our role as keepers? Of course, a keeper must have something that he or she is keeping. What might that be?

In the Bible, there are keepers of all sorts of things. They read like roles in medieval tales. Here are just some I found:

- keeper of the prison
- keeper of the East Gate
- keeper of the wardrobe
- keeper of the door
- keeper of the records
- keeper of the money box
- and many references to keeper of the sheep.

The word keeper in the biblical context has some similarity to the word manager in our times. A keeper would be responsible for a certain item, like the wardrobe or the door.

However, the role goes beyond just being responsible for an item, at least in certain contexts. The keeper would also be taking on the role of protector. That is a connotation that doesn’t necessarily come up in relation to the word manager. The keeper of the sheep, for example, would be ensuring the safety of the animals.

The keeper in certain contexts might also be preserving the item. The keeper of the records, for example, would be ensuring the documents were kept intact.

So, back to my question, if we as Christian writers see ourselves as keepers, what might we be responsible for, protect, and preserve?

What if we are the keepers of hope for this generation?

There is so much trouble and so much hopelessness, more so than ever, it seems. How might our words, the words we write, keep hope alive for those who read our work?

Not long ago, my children and I rewatched Prince Caspian, the movie based on one of the beloved Narnia Chronicles by C.S. Lewis. Afterwards, my daughter exclaimed. “I love that story because it gives me hope.”

Her response reminds me that a number of different genres of writing may be infused with hope.

What was it about the Narnia story that gave my daughter hope? How can we write in order to infuse this generation with Christ’s hope?

Speaking of being a keeper, I am reminded also of lighthouse keepers and the hymn by Philip P. Bliss, Let The Lower Lights Be Burning (1871).

Brightly beams our Father's mercy
From his lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning,
Send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor fainting struggling seaman,
You may rescue, you may save.

Lord, guide our pens today as we work as keepers of your light in this dark world.

Michelle Joy Teigrob lives with her family in Peterborough, Ontario. Her book on grief, Joyfully Star-mapping through Life's Dung-piles, was shortlisted for the 2025 Word Awards. Formerly writing under her married name, Strutzenberger, Michelle is in the process of shifting her writing portfolio to her pen name, Michelle Joy Teigrob.

Encouragement Comes Full Circle by Dana-Lyn Phillips

 

Please welcome Dana-Lyn Phillips as our Guest Blogger.

After unexpectedly losing my job of nine-plus years, I decided to take some time to be intentional about seeking God’s direction for my life. Finding my purpose had been something I had struggled with for many years. Although I enjoyed my job, I always had this feeling of wanting something more…something ‘Kingdom Focused’ if you know what I mean.

After recruiting some wonderful prayer warriors to pray on my behalf, I intentionally spent a few weeks with God. God never disappoints. When I sought Him wholeheartedly, He showed up in big ways. Slowly and gently He began to reveal His plan for me. He knew I needed time to warm up to the idea. As time passed, God used multiple opportunities to speak to me and to direct me in the next steps. The problem was that I was sure I must be misunderstanding Him. He couldn’t really be asking me to do what I thought He was. As it turns out, God was encouraging me to write.

For those who don’t know me, I have to tell you how foreign this writing idea was. I have never written anything in my life other than a required school paper and an annual family Christmas letter. I have never dabbled with stories or journaling. I didn’t have a blog (nor had I ever read one), and I was not on any social media platforms. I’m also middle-aged and definitely do not have the technology equivalent of a gardener’s green thumb when it comes to computers.

Although I questioned where God was leading me, I tried for once in my life to give up control and decided to just trust, and follow. Eventually the plan became clear, and I was convinced that God was asking me to write for the purpose of encouraging Christian women in their faith.

I didn’t know where to start, or what I was doing, but I decided to jump into the deep end. I ended up creating a space on Substack where I would write to fulfill His plan for me. I named my newsletter “Plans Far Greater” because God’s plans for me are always far greater than the plans I have for myself. Substack has become a wonderful home for my writing, and the support has been amazing. I am surrounded by Christian writers who have encouraged and helped me all along the way. At the time I am writing this I have completed the writing of 13 posts on Substack and have been enjoying every minute of it. I have also written guest post submissions for a few other devotional publications. No word yet on whether or not they will be accepted.

I have always had a heart to encourage others, and this now allows me the opportunity to encourage people with God’s words, not mine. I always pray for help when crafting posts knowing that He knows who will read each post, when, and what they may need to hear.

I have been grateful for the encouragement of so many others. There are wonderfully talented writers who have been doing this for much longer, and I appreciate it when they offer me feedback and encouragement.

God encouraged me to write, and now I write to encourage others. The past few months have definitely been an adventure but one that I have been thrilled to be on. I invite you to check out my writing at https://plansfargreater.substack.com I welcome constructive criticism as well as words of encouragement.

If you are searching for your purpose in life like I was, I encourage you not to give up. It’s never too late. You aren’t here by accident; you have been created for a purpose. Don’t get discouraged but continue to pray for God’s direction in your life. Then, when He reveals it to you, don't be too scared to say “Yes”!

Dana-Lyn is a wife, and mother to teenage boys as well as a 14 year old cava-poo named Hockley. She is passionate about encouraging Christian women in their faith and is stepping into her mid-life "calling" as a writer. Her happy place consists of a comfy chair, a great book, a hot cup of coffee and a chocolate…or three! You can read more of her work at https://plansfargreater.substack.com

These Are My People ~ Valerie Ronald

 

I remember little about the topics discussed the first time I attended a Christian writers group. What I do remember thinking is, these are my people! The atmosphere created by like-minded writers in lively discussion sparked my desire to learn and grow in their company. For years I wrote in isolation, having little contact with other writers. Now at each monthly meeting I found encouragement and guidance from group members, opening new vistas of opportunity on my writing horizon.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) reminds us of the power of community, emphasizing the importance of having someone to help us when we fall. Life was meant to be lived communally, not in isolation. This also applies to our calling as writers who are followers of Jesus Christ. Though the process of writing happens in isolation, we still need each other for support, feedback, and especially, encouragement.

The word encourage stems from the French word encoragier, from en, “to make or put in,” and coeur, which means “heart.” The basic premise of the word encourage is to instill confidence and hope; to build up the heart, which is the intellect, emotions and will, the wellspring of the soul. As Christians, we have a perfect example in Jesus who spent His ministry on earth encouraging His disciples with the gospel.

An aspect of the writer’s group I appreciated was the variety of writing styles, genres, interests, and voices represented, all unique yet focused on a similar goal. Working together to make Christ known through our written words created unity and connection in a diverse group of people. More experienced writers patiently mentored those just getting started. Some had strengths in editing, some knew about self-publishing, others shared advice in their chosen genres. Everyone had something to contribute that each of us could learn from.

Over time I witnessed the atmosphere of encouragement at our meetings encompass more than the process of writing. Meaningful bonds developed as we prayed for one another, helped one another outside the group, and ministered to each other during times of loss and difficulty. I made friends in the group who are especially dear to me, though I no longer attend due to driving distance. They are not just writing acquaintances; they are lifetime friends.

The Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is one of encouragement and hope. In chapter 4, verses 13 to 18, he assured them of being reunited with their loved ones who died in faith, when Jesus returns for His church. Paul concludes with this instruction, therefore encourage one another with these words.(vs.18)

Our InScribe Christian Writers Fellowship members shine at encouraging one another with their words. I am a recipient of those words, as are most of you. Our members live all across Canada, yet our common bonds of faith in Christ and passion for writing brings us close together.  

We cannot thrive in a vacuum. We need each other to stay focused, to know we are not alone. Like the church in Thessalonica, we need to encourage one another with these words, words of truth from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NASB) 

 Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk.

 

 

 

 

If You Must Write, You Must Write by Alan Anderson

 

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

Words of Encouragement from the Past

In his book, Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke answers questions in reply to young poet Franz Xaver Kappus, beginning in 1903. The book composed of a series of ten letters Mr. Kappus wrote to Mr. Rilke is a treasure of wisdom and insights. In the first letter, Mr. Kappus asks if his poems are “any good.”

Here is part of Mr. Rilke’s answer:

“There is only one thing you should do. Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple, “I must,” then build your life in accordance with this necessity…” (Rilke, Rainer Maria, Letters to a Young Poet, Merchant Books, 2012, p 14.)

You Must Write!

Writer dear ones, do you ever become discouraged in your calling as a writer? Has it ever crossed your mind to put your pen in a drawer and leave it there? Are there times you want to shut down your computer and ignore your words, your paragraphs, your stories, your plays, or messages, and forget about it all?

Here is a thought to contemplate. If you did all mentioned in the previous paragraph, who would collect your pen or restart your computer, or set your words free?...No one!

You see, Your pen knows you. Your computer awaits your ability to exercise its keys. With eager anticipation, your words await release to make the world better.

Words flowing from the creativity God has given you are your words. As a writer who is a Christian, what message do you have in your mind and heart? Give serious thought to this message and write it down. Bring this message to life on a page. Gather these words and set them free into the world.

We Must Write

Dear InScribe writers, every morning when you wake up, you do so with a writer’s view of the world. We are world watchers. Through our words, we can also be world healers. This healing comes about through words eager to encourage people to let them know they are not alone.

In this world of too many dark seasons swarmed by frigid misty days, our words shine bright and point the way to the Light. Consider the call we received by the grace of God and how He has gifted us to write.

Although separated by miles, we are in this world together. We are involved in a shared ministry. We learn from and encourage each other in a common cause. We are called by God to write; therefore, we must!

A Prayer to Encourage

To all my writer friends and others who want to make a difference through the written word:

Allow your words and actions to touch the sacred. See the beauty amid confusion and bring it to life. Breathe in peace. Breathe out anything that would distract you from who you are as a writer. May your presence shine! 

 

Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home, with trees all around and where he finds inspiration to write. He has occasionally written articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan’s website and blog is https://scarredjoy.ca.

Community of Encouragers by Carol Harrison

 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

We all need encouragement in our daily lives. I have been and am blessed with a community of encouragers. One of my greatest encouragers was my husband, Brian. He believed I could do more than I thought I could possibly accomplish. He continually encouraged me to go and write even when I didn’t feel like it. I miss his encouragement every day more that I can express.

Yet, I am not without others who have and do encourage me even as I walk with grief which seems to put a block on my writing. A number of my grandchildren have encouraged me to branch out and try other genres or have helped design book covers or format for KDP. All of these things are encouragement. I can also encourage the grandchildren in using their talents with book cover design and formatting which I enjoy doing.

For the last two years, I have faced a block with writing and crafting. I don’t know why this has to be a season of waiting for inspiration or the desire to continue on a writing journey. Yet in the midst of this time, I have others who encourage me to try like my oldest daughter, Lorilee. We often discuss writing or my lack thereof lately. She encourages me to take a step forward and then another one. What can I do to discover what is holding me back? Then work through it and try writing something or editing something I’ve written long ago.

Maybe, she suggests, it is because I haven’t begun a project my husband had challenged me to write before he passed away. It will be a difficult project to write about journeying with him through his cancer. But it might also be a healing journey. I have started an outline and a rough first chapter and then put it back away. Maybe she is right and it is time to face it once again.

I also have friends who pray for me and encourage me. These dear friends keep telling me I have the ability to write. I just need to take the time to rest and then step forward one step at a time with the writing and crafting until the excitement returns. They get excited when I write something new or publish a piece. The encouragement makes me feel like someone cares how I am doing.

I have also been encouraged by reading the Inscribe blog posts and the authors' writings. The conference encouraged me as well. There are so many avenues of encouragement opportunities within our organization and that is how it should be.

The saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” flits through my mind, and yet in this case for this prompt, I believe it takes a community of encouragers to help us as writers and believers continue on in the path God has set for us.

May you find a community of encouragers surrounding you.

 

Carol Harrison appreciates each person who has encouraged her on her life and writing journey. They are blessings from God.