Sometimes it feels like the world is already so saturated with words that adding mine to the mix is like throwing a bucket of water into the ocean. Who will even see what I write? How can my writing make a difference?
A few years back, I had the opportunity to go to a She Speaks conference for writers and speakers. The whole weekend was full of encouragement and inspiration, but the following are a few pieces of valuable advice that really resonated with me.
1. We all have a place at the table with our different gifts and talents. No two writers are the same, for we all come with unique personalities and stories, which God wants to use for His glory. As one of the presenters expressed, God has never said, “Ok y’all, I have enough people!”
2. Have a right heart before God. Ants can take down big trees! I must not let the little ants inside my soul destroy what God is growing inside of me. I must be humble, remembering that this is God’s doing, not mine.
3. Growing slowly is good. Jennifer Dukes Lee used the illustration of a cornfield. One does not reap the field the same week you plant it!
4. A lamp cannot burn without oil. I can have all the right tools, but if I don’t depend on God’s Spirit to work through my words, they don’t carry His power, no matter how fancy they are.
5. “Walk with a limp and show Jesus as the healer!” Hosanna Wong
Our job is to faithfully use our words to point others to God, even if our audience is only one soul in need of encouragement.
He redeems my brokenness,
redefining my story
as His story,
using my weaknesses
to speak to the one
who feels her weakness
too heavy to bear.
He puts wings to my words,
flying them to
the one
who needs to feel seen.
There’s no need for measuring sticks,
comparing,
competing,
shuffling for position.
There is always more room,
room for every story,
every heart
to reflect His glory.
It’s when my pride rides in
on a high horse
saying it is I
who has done this thing,
that I am felled like a mighty
oak on a windy day.
Oh Father may I be
on my face before you,
humility and awe
the position of my
daily choosing.
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https://www.instagram.com/maryfolkerts/
Your words "We all have a place at the table with our different gifts and talents," spoke right to my heart this morning, Mary. How easy it is to compare our writing unfavourably with that of others, and how encouraging to know that God's purposes are suited to our needs and personalities. The line in your poem "He puts wings to my words" is a lovely expression, one that I will be writing in my journal. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lorrie! It’s so easy to compare and count ourselves out! I’m glad it resonated with you!💗
Delete"There is always more room,
ReplyDeleteroom for every story,
every heart
to reflect His glory."
These lines in your poem reached out and touched my heart today, Mary. Thank you for sharing those words of advice--and encouragement--that touched your writing life.
Thank you Brenda for your kind words! Our stories matter!
DeleteWonderful post, Mary. Points one and two spoke to my heart in particular as well as your encouraging poem. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Sharon! I’m thankful it resonated with you!
DeleteThank you so much. This was a real encouragement
ReplyDeleteI’m thankful Aritha! 💗
Delete"Our job is to faithfully use our words to point others to God, even if our audience is only one soul in need of encouragement." I love this sentence, Mary. It reminds me that God often provides the words we need to say to encourage someone just when they need that encouragement. What a blessing that is!
ReplyDeleteThe comment above is from Sandra Rafuse.
ReplyDeleteYes Sandra! I too am thankful that He provides us with the words to encourage others! Thanks for your comment!💗
DeleteThank you for sharing what you learned at She Speaks. I also really enjoyed your poem, Mary!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan! I appreciate that! If you ever have the opportunity She Speaks is an amazing event!💗
DeleteDear Mary, out of all your writing-loving post I love this personal statement and questions you ask, "Sometimes it feels like the world is already so saturated with words that adding mine to the mix is like throwing a bucket of water into the ocean. Who will even see what I write? How can my writing make a difference?"
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the points of advice you offer from the She Speaks conference as well, to help us all. I am still struck however by your initial questions. With your heart as a writer and how you provide insights in your blog posts, including this one, your words indeed make a difference. I resonate with your questions and your honesty motivates me to keep on writing. Thank you so much for being part of our blog family. :)
Alan what an encourager you are. Thank you for your words! I guess all our buckets of water thrown in together here make for a nice ocean right? Your words too are of great encouragement for us all!💗
DeleteThanks for this lovely, touching post, Mary! All those points are valuable to us in our writing as God's people. Numbers one and four spoke meaningful to me.
ReplyDelete