Prompt:In spring, the world turns fresh and green. How do you keep yourself and
your writing fresh as you produce new articles, books or songs without burn-out
or repeating the same ideas?
A
New Way of Gardening
When I moved to my current house near the edge of Calgary,
I had visions of beautiful flower beds with crocuses and tulips, with petunias
lining my driveway, and with perennials filling the back yard.
It was not to be.
Gradually as new houses were built up around me, coyotes
moved away, and as a result, rabbits increased. And to my dismay, most of my
favourite flowers made delectable rabbit dinner. They also loved my lettuce,
even carrot, onion and beet tops. As the rabbits got bolder, they hopped up on
my porch and nibbled at my potted plants.
How could I keep my flowerbeds and garden fresh and
green?
I asked for advice from gardening experts, got a list of
rabbit-proof plants, and experimented with new flowers. However, the rabbits
hadn’t read that list and ate some of my new “rabbit-proof” plants anyway.
At first it was discouraging, but as I developed a new
system, I discovered pink geraniums and white alyssum made an attractive
display. I put my petunias in tall pots.
Like redoing my gardening, my writing sometimes needs to be
revamped. Just recently I looked at several articles in progress and knew God
has deeper answers to questions of faith than I had planned.
How to develop those thoughts that would encourage my
readers? I began listening more carefully to my pastor’s sermons, discovering new
seeds of meaning that related to my writing. Discussing matters of life and
faith with friends has broadened my perspective. Finding new and challenging
artist’s dates breathes in new life to me.
But mostly I meditate more deeply in Scripture, asking
God for wisdom and new insight.
And I know the Holy Spirit will infuse my writing with a freshness
it didn’t have before.
Now over to you. How do you keep your writing fresh and
green?
