Dancing Naked by Marnie Pohlmann

I am a writer!

Like Archimedes leaving his bath to run in excitement, shouting a message others may or may not have cared about, being a writer makes me feel exhilarated – as well as naked and exposed. Putting my thoughts, beliefs, fantasies, and life lessons in black ink is thrilling, but sharing with others what eventually comes out of those musings is downright frightening.

Words are powerful. As a child, I needed to use words to ask for help, but could not whisper the secrets. I lied to my diary, God, and myself because the truth was too difficult to face. Yet creative writing of stories, poetry, and school assignments carried me through many years, providing a refuge of sanity. Eventually, writing in personal journals helped me hear God speak healing into my heart, mind, and soul.

I have always been a writer, and sometimes I actually feel like a writer – when I win national and international contests, see my wording used by volunteer organizations, am paid for publication, or share at a women’s retreat. These times convince me I am a writer.

Yet, many times, I do not feel like a writer – when I avoid the work of writing, am afraid to share even when my words may encourage another, don’t make time in the busy-ness of life to practice and grow the skills, or when I do not seek publication. These times convince me I will never be a writer and that I do not even want to try.

God reminds me, though - repeatedly, that He has created me, a clay pot. He will use me, perhaps as a vase to hold beautiful flowers or as a chamber pot. He may dress me in soft fabrics that shimmer or in a soldier’s uniform. In whatever way God chooses to use my writing and me, He only asks I be true to myself – to the self He formed me to be in those dark times, those joyous times, those quiet times.

The following notes are gleaned from my quiet time journals; verses God gave me to remind me I am a writer – gifted and called for His purpose, whatever that may look like. Search them out to see if they also ring true for you.

Esther 4:14 - God’s message will be told – He has given me training and opportunity to join Him in the telling, so others can know His salvation.

Romans 9:25 - God uses cracked pots and weak vessels. No matter how far I have to go, He can use the story of how far He has brought me.

1 Peter 2:10 - I have not chosen to be a writer; God chose me to work with and for Him in this way.

Romans 10 - Others are also writing; I am not in competition, but join the procession, and it is a good thing to do! Paul goes on to explain that sharing the good news will not be easy – not everyone will listen (or read), they may be critical, give us cold shoulders, and cold stares. However, before people can believe, they need to listen, and before they can listen, someone needs to be preaching (speaking, writing). No matter the reaction of others, my calling to write does not change.

So like King David, the Psalmist-Warrior, I dance naked, writing in praise of God's victory in my life.

My name is Marnie, and I am a writer.

What Was Your Writing Eureka Moment? By Sandi Somers

The Greek scholar Archimedes stepped into his bath and suddenly realized that he displaced water exactly equal to his body’s volume. He was so excited that he ran through the streets, shouting “Eureka! Eureka!—I have found it!”

Prompt: Did you have a Eureka moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer? Or maybe you sensed God’s calling as a gradual process. Or maybe you always knew you wanted to be a writer. Tell us your story.

 Writing Retreat - June 2011

My writing life has been a series of turning points rather than Eureka moments.

One turning point came for me the summer of 2011. I was newly retired and had more time to develop my writing.

I also had determined to begin writing more intentionally.

Before plunging into my writing projects, I went on a private writing retreat. My goddaughter Clara was graduating from high school, and I drove from Calgary to Victoria to attend her graduation.

 The drive took two days, and I used that time to think, read, and plan.  I asked God to reveal His vision for my writing,

My guidebooks were my Bible, a devotional book, my journal, and Janice Elsheimer’s The Creative Call, a book that focused on freeing and developing the artist within us. “We will find the artist God intends us to be when we...become open to his plan and to the inspiration of His Holy Spirit. Only then will we experience personal artistic revival,” she wrote.

My mind filled with ideas. Like the jangling key ring of caretakers where I had worked, these ideas called out to be noticed. Yet my goals were not too clear.

I asked God for keys. Keys to unlock God’s  purposes for my writing. Keys to develop my writing skills. Keys to bring God’s love and healing to my readers. And the key to depend on the Holy Spirit for our source of inspiration.

Since then God has been faithful. I look back on that private writer’s retreat and see the beginning of my art becoming empowered by the Spirit, sometimes giving meaning to others that I could never have thought of on my own.

Now over to you. Tell us about any of your Eureka moments, turning points, or gradual opening of the way into your writing