He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
Psalm 18:19 (NIV)
I dare say that reading this verse brings to mind well-trodden paths, strewn with flowers and grassy mounds to rest upon at leisure. For the last several days, my area of Ontario is blanketed, no, smothered in snow. I can’t get out my front door. Plows are pulled off the roads. There are accidents where foolish drivers are determined to ignore warnings.
That is not me. I hunker down at the slightest tremor of trouble. I cower in safe havens while others trod six-foot deep paths.
And I wonder, does this affect my writing? Have I always taken the safe trails to avoid controversy? And if that is so, why is that? When I was six, my mom sent me to the school Halloween party dressed as a princess. She wrapped her engagement ring with string, put it on my finger accompanied with multiple warnings not to lose it. Thus, I stood at the corner of the school, refusing to join games or races…for fear of losing that ring. I wore the ring, but you might say that the ring wore me.
That’s what happens when we write safely. Even on Facebook, I find myself withdrawing if someone criticizes the content. When this happens, I look for something to say that will not offend. But is this possible? NO! Because there is always someone who won’t agree with you, not because you are right or wrong, but because they don’t like your words.
So, what then, do we write? Do we stay safely inside the house, dreading the snow, writing the same old stuff, or do we dare to step into the fresh air and tramp through unknown verse, mystery, perhaps science fiction?
I am still snowed in, but today I wrote this liberating piece to remind all of us to March in the snow. How will you march? In tennis shoes with little protection? Snow boots that reach only the ankles? Ski boots of over protection? I don’t know what is best for you. We do need to protect ourselves from the elements, but sometimes we have to dive in head first, forgetting our feet and their safety, but instead finding the truth of our heart, believing it and writing it no matter what might come of it.
Winter Image by Mariakray from Pixabay
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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.
I am one who tends to withdraw if there is criticism afoot. Sometimes it's okay to withdraw, but there are seasons when we need to forge ahead. We must dare, as you say, "to step into the fresh air and tramp through unknown verse, mystery, perhaps science fiction". Speak up, say things that need saying, speak truth as courteously as possible regardless of feedback.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your post, Brenda. Good food for thought - thank you.
Thank you, Brenda. I am another who tends to withdraw when criticized. It takes discernment and wisdom to know when to persist and when to retreat or hunker down. "Finding the truth of our heart, believing it and writing it no matter what might come of it" are good words. Lots to think about here.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I empathize with you on what you've experienced during the recent snow storms. It's easier to stay inside curled up with a book and hot chocolate. But as you say, it's important to step outside metaphorically in our writing, "finding the truth of our heart, believing it and writing it no matter what might come of it".
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda, for this wonderful post that encourages us to be brave and vulnerable in our writing. It resonated with me as one of my words for this year is ‘courage.’ Blessings on your day.
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