Rambling Thoughts—Talents and Gifts by T. L. Wiens

I’ve never found a list of talents and gifts in the Bible that includes writing. It is clear, some people have a unique ability to get words to paper just like some musicians make notes flow together. But is it a gift? Or a talent? Maybe it’s the medium God uses to enhance the gifts and talents bestowed upon us.

A talent is something you have that you develop over time. Athletes are talented in the area of sports. Many of us tend to lean towards jobs in areas where we have talent. Writing would very much fit under this heading. I recently met a young writer very resistant to seeking out any assistance—her writing was her gift. Sadly, I see a rocky path because of this stubbornness to realize it’s okay to develop a talent. There’s a lot more to writing than being able to put together 50,000 words to make a story and few of us have a handle on all the ins and outs involved in the process without some outside advice.

A gift is a bit different because you receive this from God. It’s the result of the Holy Spirit imposing something on you to enhance your spiritual life to bring glory to God. While writing itself doesn’t seem to qualify as a gift, for myself, much of the content within is reliant upon God’s guidance. My spiritual walk will influence this more than anything but I wouldn’t call this a gift.

Is writing a ministry? I struggle with this one. Many will disagree with me but I don’t believe pastors for the most part serve in ministry. Their need to eat dictates they work for their paycheque. If they were honest, most pastors would tell us that this holds them back in their ability to let God use their mouths as He wants. They are in many ways, hirelings. What makes something a ministry? I haven’t done a complete study but something I’ve noticed is the driving force behind the person. For some, that is serving God and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. For others, it’s fame and having a long list of friends with common household names. And for some, it’s money. While writing can be a ministry, I don’t believe it is for many writers.

So I find myself evaluating my writing and realizing that means evaluating my life; especially my spiritual life. I need to make sure it all points to the glory of God whether it be a talent, gift, ministry or my job.

True Confessions from an Addled [Squirrel] Brain

by Glynis M. Belec


I don't think I have any trouble stepping out of my comfort zone with regard to my writing. My problem is trying to focus on any particular genre. I love writing - period. I have a brain that jumps all over the place most days and if the mood strikes me, then I write about it.

I will admit that for a split second, when someone asks me what I write, my brain goes into panic mode. I've been writing for [gasp] almost 28 years now. Still there are days when I don't really know what kind of a writer I am. Because I have had three children's books published I start out thinking I am a children's writer. Then I write short stories Hot Apple Cider and Chicken Soup for the Soul style. Then I remember my devotional writing and my newspaper column, then I think about the novel I have on the go and the magazine articles I write. Writing Sunday school material is fun. Creating dramatic works feeds my inner drama queen tendencies. Now I have started up a little publishing company that requires I write copy and that opens up a whole new part of the writing process for me.

So for me to step out and write something different - that's not much of a challenge. My challenge lies in sticking to one thing.

Lest my writers buddies think I am complaining and confused, I'm not, really - well most days. I like that I write all over the place. However, it's not such a good thing when it comes to branding and marketing and setting up social media - that likes to define who we are. When I have to write a bio I have to be careful not to prattle on.

I must say that over the years, because I have written in many different genres, I have actually found a voice that I like and a style to which people respond to best. I wrote a column for over eleven years in our local newspaper - a fun, folksy, inspirational, humorous content column. It's where I started and now, so many years later it's where I still love to be with my writing. I am no profound theologian, nor am I particularly a brainiac [don't tell my students I told you that] so for me to try to write academic works makes me yawn. I admire people who research and would be the first to encourage them in their craft, but my heart is in writing the everyday.

I've talked to God about this aplenty. I believe He knows my attention span and my squirrel tendencies to shift from thought to thought so has given me the passion to write short.

Git' her done, is my motto most days. Already, within the past 15 minutes of this writing, I have texted my son, flipped to another blog to check that it is up to date and then looked at my to-do list. I also checked my email and flipped to Facebook for a quick peek.

Now, as I write this post, I wonder why I am doing so. I am thinking that I am already straying away from our lovely Moderator's instructions to help people write outside of the box. My insecurities whisper that no one is going to get anything out of me being a rebel.

Then I feel a little God-whisper telling me that it's okay to confess that I am who I am. And I also have a little niggle that tells me that I am not alone in my 'style.' I'm thinking that there might be another squirrel or two out there who just might find comfort knowing they are not alone.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.  PSALM 139:14