Stir it Up Together by Lorrie Orr

 

Everyday I stir up something – the few seconds of tinkling the spoon of honey in my morning tea, the steady back and forth and around the pot of making jam, the vigorous slap of yeast dough to develop the gluten structure, a quick dip to the bottom and around the bowl for muffins, and a fast scraping of the pan when sautéing aromatics for soup. Different types of stirring for different purposes.

The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to “stir up the gift of God” that was in him. Other versions say to “fan into flame the gift of God” or “kindle afresh the gift of God.” The writer of Hebrews uses similar language when he writes “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deed.”

Community is vital to the spiritual health of a church. And I believe we can extend that same meaning to a community of writers. One of the most influential writing groups consisted of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, and others. They met together regularly, informally, without rules and regulations, to discuss Christianity and their own writings. They stirred each other up, not always agreeing, but motivating one another in thinking and writing. Tolkien says of Lewis, “He was for long my only audience. Only from him did I ever get the idea that my ‘stuff’ could be more than a hobby.” Lewis encouraged Tolkien to complete The Lord of the Rings. Lewis said of the Inklings, “what I owe them is incalculable.” Along with meeting regularly, some of the members, including Lewis and Tolkien, took long walks together in the English countryside. I would love to have listened in on their conversations.

Reading about the Inklings and their closeness makes my heart ache with longing for something similar. I write quietly, in the background. Few of my real-life acquaintances know that I write. Yet I believe God has given me the ability and desire to write and I long to honour him with it. Lately, I’ve been feeling the need for more connection to other writers. It’s a scary thing to consider, making myself vulnerable.

Maybe it’s time to think about getting more involved with Inscribe. There are several opportunities in the organization just now. What about you? Shall we step forward together and commit to something outside of our own writing life? Shall we stir up the flame of writing so that it does not go out? Shall we spur each other on to love and good deeds?

Together in God’s strength our personal writings can become deeper, more nuanced, and finished! Tolkien was a notorious non-finisher (can you imagine?) and it was through Lewis’ encouragement that he completed the magnificent literary works we enjoy today. By paying attention to each other, stirring up one another’s gift of writing, we can all benefit.

 

 Lorrie writes from Vancouver Island where she lives with her husband. She is blessed to have her children and grandchildren living in the same town. Writing, reading, gardening, sewing, hiking, camping - life is full of God's goodness. She recently returned from 10 days in The Netherlands followed by a cruise around Iceland, stopping in Scotland before returning home. 

Stir Up the Gift in You by Linda Aleta Tame

Writing is something I want to do, long to do, but so many other things seem to take priority. Sound familiar?  Many writers share this lament. I read about it all the time. We think about it, groan about it and yes, we even write about it. Here's the irony; somehow, we make time to write about not having time to write!

If we repeatedly take the same action, we'll repeatedly have the same result, so we need to do something new, something different, something meaningful.  This will include unique strategies for each of us, ones that are fitted to our personal needs and goals, but here are a few ideas.


Something New - Do something you haven't done before.  It doesn't have to include skydiving, but it could.  I wanted to do that when I was younger, but riding a Vespa around the Tuscan countryside in Italy was a terrific alternative, and about as thrilling as I want to get at this stage of my life.  The ideas are endless.  Just do something new. It could be picking wildflowers in the country, roller blading or visiting an art gallery. It could be something you've wanted to do for a long time, but just never took the time to do. Maybe realizing a dream vacation could result in an incredible travel journal.

Something Different - Do something that is outside of your comfort zone. You might discover astonishingly new and noteworthy emotions, reactions and even physical sensations that you didn't know you had. Whether pleasant or uncomfortable, these could be just the motivators that would elevate writing to the priority status. Maybe you're a couch potato (I'm a recliner onion - think layers), so a nature hike would be completely foreign. Or maybe you're accustomed to a quiet, routine household. Throwing a party sounds way too chaotic for you; however, these new activities might provide enough idea kindling to spark a writing flame that won't be quenched.

Something Meaningful - Do something special for someone. This is a sure win for the hearts of givers and receivers. It could be as simple as a friendly over-the-fence chat with your neighbour or a thoughtful hand-written card delivered through snail mail.  If you like to create, then bake, sew, knit or paint something for someone.  Gestures like this, especially when repeated frequently, stir our own hearts, and we may not be able to resist recording the overflow of love.  When you share a genuine smile that says, "I really care about you," or deliver the same sentiment through your eyes, it influences you too.  From that place of sincere connection with others comes the most poignant and beautiful prose and poetry.

To generate more than just more pages of writing about our desire to write, we sometimes need to be enticed beyond our apathy.  We have limitless sources around us, and we need to "stir up the gift that is in us."  We need to "fan it into flame." 2 Timothy 1:6