Superpowers and Dr. Seuss by Sharon Heagy

 

photo by Sharon Heagy

Once upon a time in a land called radiology, I was injected with some spectacularly blue radioactive dye so a surgeon could find what she was seeking. It worked too, because when I woke up parts of me were missing! But the most disappointing thing was I neither glowed in the dark nor had superpowers. How I had looked forward to buying fabric and designing a cape and mask for my alter ego. (I once tried to convince my grands that I was Batman, but that's a story for another time)

My superpower expectations were awakened once again this fall when three wasps injected me with their venom on three separate occasions. The toxic combination of their venom, which contains a variety of chemical components, should have succeeded in producing at least a little zap of something to fight evil in the world. But alas, none has been forthcoming. I live in hope that something will eventually show up. However, having had this experience three times, I would strongly advise against getting stung by a wasp as it is incredibly unpleasant and hurts more than you might think.

There is some benefit that comes from these two tales of my lack of extraordinary powers. Both provide fodder for some fanciful or inspirational writing. Perhaps I could encourage those who are facing the same surgery I had. Maybe I could calm the fears of those who encounter wasps and inadvertently get stung, including the difference between a regular reaction and one where it would be advisable to carry proper medication. Or, I could write a tale of a Super Granny who gets miraculous powers to fight bad guys or who uses her power gift to provide for those in need. The possibilities are endless.

These everyday occurrences can be reused and recycled many times over into wondrous tales that lead the reader into an extravaganza of adventure, or into calm waters in the midst of a raging river of fear, or something in between.

Once upon a time I was recycled. I truly was injected with superpower. It brought me to my knees and keeps me there because it is a dynamic and powerful force. Words fall short to describe this Infinite power infused with infinite love, grace and mercy. And just like the wasps, it came in three parts; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are my superpower and the guiding beacon for my life. I don't need a cape or mask because as I spend time with them, focus upon them and surrender to them, I will glow in the darkness with their light, fight evil with their weapons and bring comfort to the lost with their compassion. They will infuse my writing in the same way.

As we pray before we write, God takes what we may consider the mundane everyday things of our life and transforms them into brilliant pieces of writing. He is the key that unlocks the doors to worlds we never considered, stories beyond our ken and phrases beyond the thesaurus. Oh, the thoughts that will be awakened in the depths of our soul and the words we will pen for His glory.

Sometimes we think like the writer of Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, 'Look! This is something new?' It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time."

We have this inkling in our mind that it's all been done before, and it has, but never from your perspective in God's hands. Like Dr. Seuss says, "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You!" God created us, each one of us, as an individual. It's spectacular to fathom. The world is currently filled with over 8 billion individuals created by God. Just pause and think about that. Awesome.

It is absolutely in the realm of possibility for God to use our words in a new way to reach those of His choosing. "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

Let Him take your ideas and inject them with His supernatural power. Let Him amaze and astound you. Let Him tickle the musings flowing through your brain, adding depth and dimension as only He can. Then write. Write and write and write. You have His superpower to do it

 

Sharon Heagy writes from the small but vibrant town of Rockglen, Saskatchewan, nestled in the valley near the Burning Hills. She writes to inspire and give hope with a chuckle or two along the way.