Kindness in the Struggle by Alan Anderson

 

"And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so." Genesis 1:24 (ESV)

Oh, my word, I love the theme for this month! Our InScribe blog writers have exposed themselves once again as writers with a passionate call. Please accept the following as my contribution to our theme of kindness. I pray this post is worthy of your time, dear ones.

Kindness to God’s Little Creatures

I love spring. I’m not a big fan of winter, but spring and I are buddies. Heat from sun rays causes grass to grow, and the earth warms up to prepare for gardening and growth. With a more regular appearance of the sun, wasps, bees, birds and butterflies are among the creatures who add colour to nature.

A couple of years ago, when my wife and I arrived home from church, I found a sad sight. On our porch steps, I discovered the body of a little bird. From the looks of it, he must have flown into one of our porch windows and died. I imagined he began his day flying around and seeking something to eat. Now his end came, and his little broken body lay still. I carried him to my backyard, dug a hole in the lawn, and covered him with dirt. I performed an act of kindness to one of God’s precious little creatures.

Not too long ago, while in my workshop at home, I noticed a wasp crawling on the floor. He walked with a noticeable limp, with broken wings and struggled. I opened the workshop door to see if he might fly away, but his struggle continued. He couldn’t fly. My mind pondered, what does a wasp do if he can’t fly?

I watched the little creature struggle to fly, yet he failed again and again. Every effort for him to move showed his crippled attempt. I grabbed hold of one of my gardening trowels and allowed the wasp to climb on to the trowel. Once he did this, I took him outside and with all gentleness I placed him on to the grass. Like the little bird, the wasp’s life on this earth would be brief. I knew I couldn’t save this determined, beautiful example of God’s creation. I watched him for a few minutes, hoping he regained his ability to fly like his wasp brethren, but to no avail.

These little creatures, created by God, served a purpose. They reminded me of the importance of showing kindness only God may notice.

Through acts of kindness to God’s creatures, we might ponder how this relates to writers. What came to my mind is how some of our writing projects might go the way of the dead bird and the crippled wasp.

A Writer’s Struggle

How do you, dear writers, persevere with writing projects you struggle with? I know I am assuming you struggle with your writing from time to time. Please bear with me. How long do you nurture your writing pieces before you lay them aside when it seems they don’t come together?

What about those crumpled pages lying in a garbage can beside your desk or the stories where you hit the delete key? Those stories, poems, scripts, or books that started well, only to have them smashed against the wall of your mind. At what point did you reach where you decided the struggle was going nowhere?

I know this struggle. I am living the struggle right now. With a measure of crippled effort and stumbling, I laid aside a project I love. The time isn’t right. Like the wasp, this project has had its struggles. Unlike the bird, this project is not dead. I hope to breathe life back into it someday. For now, it rests. This is kindness to your words.

How about you, my friends? Are you in a struggle? Where are you in the struggle? Are your words tired? Perhaps you have laid your writing effort for now. Dear ones, you are not alone in your struggle. May God, the Lord who loves you, send kindness to you. May we be part of the kindness of God to each other.

Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home with trees all around and where he finds inspiration to write. He occasionally writes articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan’s website and blog is https://scarredjoy.ca.

O is for Openhearted Ramble: A Writer’s Struggle by Alan Anderson

 

Openheartedness, the free expression of one’s true feelings and opinions, is a strong focus of anything I write. Openheartedness can refer to being blunt or direct, but we do not have to be mean at the same time.

 

A ramble, whether in speech or written word, exhibits an aimless wandering on an erratic path through life. Readers may notice this post rambles.

 

What does a writer do when words will not come?

 

These past eighteen months have been a ramble for me because of a health condition that continues but is undiagnosed to date. I do not mention this for pity but to ask you, dear readers, a question. What does a writer do when words are silent?

 

I have been a contributor to this blog since 2015. This is the first post I have struggled with to write. The words crowding my mind argue with each other. They argue over how openhearted I will be in this post. Some words encourage this writer to be direct. Other words want me to hold back and ramble. How does one cope with such a struggle when words will not cooperate? Perhaps a ramble is the result and has a purpose.

 

Here is another question.

 

What does this writer do when words will not come?

 

An answer to this more personal question is, I write with my vulnerability. In this vulnerability, openheartedness is a companion to my periodic rambles. Today, as I sit with my laptop, it is two days before my post is due. Words in my head seem to have fallen asleep. This leaves me with another question.

 

Have my words abandoned me?

This question is torturous, yet I know words are beautiful. How can I express myself but through words, these darlings within my soul? Here, I continue to write, even words content to ramble.

 

If my words abandoned me, what would I do? Shut up my laptop? Throw away my pens and pencils? Burn my notepads?...No!

 

I pray to God, who has called me to write. I do this not as a simple solution, but for He who understands and cares. Prayer causes me to turn to the Great Author, our Master Creator. Through His words, He spoke all things into being and He can help me resurrect my words. This then causes me to turn to why I write.

 

To Whom I write.

 

I write to help others hope and to know they are not alone. I accept even my rambling has this purpose and is an answer to why I write.

 

I write to encourage those who struggle or feel abandoned by life to know someone cares. They may have ceased to keep their hope. This means my words can arise from their slumber, gather themselves, and realize we are all in the struggle together.

 

Dear writer and reader friends, please know in your struggles there is hope. Your struggles, as in mine, have a purpose even when we do not know what it is at this present time. Reach out to someone if need be and know you are not alone.

 

Take time with your words and love these darlings within your soul.

 

 

Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home, where he finds inspiration for his writing. He occasionally writes articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. His website, https://scarredjoy.ca, is under construction.

Beautiful Handiwork by a Loving God - by Susan Barclay

I'm currently in the throes of eldercare and unfortunately my writing time is pretty limited. Ergo, I'm going to take a little different spin on this month's theme of beauty and share some song lyrics (written by others) that have impacted and encouraged me and which continue to do so. Take a minute to watch the videos. I hope they bless you.

1. Beautiful by Amanda Lindsey (Falk) Cook 

The enemy tries to deceive people into thinking they're less than they are, unworthy, hardly made in God's image. This song speaks the truth of who we are in God's sight. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Never forget that.

Your real beauty starts inside of you
You're beautiful the way you are
You don't have to look too far
To find your worth, Believe it's true
Your real beauty starts inside of you

 2. You're Beautiful by Annika Barclay with Lindsey Minaker 

This one reminds me not to trust what I see in the mirror or what others say about me. What God says is far more true and meaningful than what self-doubt whispers or what people may sneer. God is trustworthy and cannot lie; He knows me and loves me. He has good plans and a purpose for me.  And that goes for you as well.

God sees you, God knows you
Trust Him when He says, "You're beautiful"

3. Something Beautiful by Steven Curtis Chapman

No one on the planet gets through life unscathed, without suffering a little damage. We all go through trials and experience hardship. Even that person whose life looks so golden has known hurt or secret shame or pain. This song encourages believers to give our brokenness and trouble to God. He's the One who works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).

God says
I'm gonna turn it into something different
I'm gonna turn it into something good
I'm gonna take all the broken pieces
And make something beautiful like only I could
So put it all in the hands of the Father
Give it up, give it all over to
The only one who can turn it into
Something beautiful

And now a couple of numbers for those who enjoy the oldies.

4. Something Beautiful by Bill Gaither

This one stands the test of time because its message is true. It's a very similar message to the Steven Curtis Chapman piece above. Even though we don't understand why things happen the way they do at times, God is omniscient; He's never surprised. He sees the big picture. He knows what He's doing and how it's all going to play out and come together. Struggles refine us, they draw us closer to the Lord and mold our character. We may only be able to offer Him our brokenness and strife, but if we're willing to give it over to Him and obediently follow Him, He can do amazing things in us and through us. 

Something beautiful, something good
All my confusion He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife
But he made something beautiful of my life

 5.  He's Still Working on Me by the Hemphills

Often thought of as a child's ditty, this chorus gives me hope and makes me smile. Good news, everyone: God's not finished with us yet. He's making diamonds out of dust (but that's a whole other song)!

He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be. . .
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me

 

Aren't you glad it's not over yet?

What songs have impacted and encouraged you, reminding you of who are you are and who God is? 

  _________________
 You can find out more about Susan Barclay's writing at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com 

Words of Comfort by Lynn Dove

I opened the card and smiled.  It was meant to cheer me, and it did.  Her words of comfort, wishing me a speedy recovery while I was still battling a nasty cough and cold, instantly warmed my spirit.  No, they did not cure my cold but the card and the sentiment inside it was like a soothing balm to my aching body.  I chugged back another cup of tea and placed the card in a prominent place so I could look at it repeatedly during my healing process.

How often have I received an email, or a hand-written note, or a text message that has imprinted itself on my heart when I most needed encouragement?  Some say hand-written notes in particular are going by the way of the dinosaur.  So few take the time now to choose a card and write a few lines in it, but I say it's time for that art form to make a come back!

"I don't know what to say to her." She confessed to me.  I understood her entirely.  How do we bring comfort to those who are grieving?  How do we encourage and support a family who has just learned their thirteen year old daughter has leukemia?  What words of wisdom can we give to spur those on who are struggling? 

A man I know is battling stomach cancer and a page for him was set up on Facebook for friends to get updates on his condition and to join in specific prayer for him. Reading through the comments posted awhile ago, I have to admit that some people, even though they may have good intentions, do not necessarily comfort with their words.  Cheeky Gifs and friendly emojis that are supposed to cheer, seem insincere.  Giving advice and questioning the medical treatments is totally inappropriate.  "Name it and claim it" prayers are unnerving, not to mention one person who had the audacity to say that sin (past or present) may be the reason for the cancer diagnosis in the first place.  I throw up my hands in disgust and want to scream.

As a writer, I am very conscious how my reader is analyzing, interpreting, understanding and internalizing my message.  My words need to express my meaning sincerely and succinctly.  A reader can spot a phony.  A reader can sense when a writer is not being honest or authentic.  A reader can weed out platitudes.  The same is equally true when writing an encouraging note to someone who is going through a hard time.  The message and meaning of my words will impact the reader and it will either bring comfort or more grief to the recipient if I do not choose my words carefully. 

Having gone through cancer myself, I feel somewhat qualified to give some advice on what words you can write, share, or specific, practical actions you can take that will bring comfort to a person (and their family) during a time of intense struggle.


1.  It is always appropriate to write that you are praying for them and ask them for some specific prayer requests.  Then pray!  Don't just say you'll pray, do it!

2.  It is appropriate to say that you are there for them if they need anything.  Again, if you say you are there for them, be there!  It means putting your money where your mouth is.  Don't say they can call on you if they need anything and then not respond when they actually call.

3.  Don't hesitate to acknowledge that what they are going through is hard.  Avoiding the elephant in the room is not necessary.  They need to know that in spite of this difficult journey ahead for them, you are with them every step of the way.

4.  As they battle, acknowledge their strength, fortitude, courage and tenacity.  Send Scripture but make sure it's appropriate for the situation.  Context is king here too. 

5.  Rejoice with them over small victories won.  (On the day of my last chemo treatment, I came home and found a huge poster taped to my front door with the words: "Yay!  You did it!"  One of my friends at church had marked that milestone for me in a way I still remember fondly to this day.)

6.  Don't stop praying, writing, and encouraging a person even after the battle may be over.  There is much fear and trepidation after a cancer diagnosis.  People who are grieving the loss of a loved one, still grieve years later.


Remember gentle writer, oftentimes it IS the thought that counts and not necessarily the right words.  If you write from the heart, asking the Lord to guide you as you write, the recipient who receives those words will be comforted!

Lynn Dove is the award-winning author, of the YA “Wounded Trilogy”- a contemporary Christian fiction series with coming-of-age themes. A wife, mom, grandmother, and free-lance writer with articles published in several magazines and anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Soul books, her blog, “Journey Thoughts” is a Canadian Christian Writing Award winner. Readers may connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and at lynndove.com

A Hope To Yet Realize by Alan Anderson

“Okay you abcs keep the noise down. I’m trying to write my blog post for our InScribe blog.” Oops, sorry reader friends, I was using my inside voice talking to the words in my head who are eager to get out. The little rascals can get a bit over rambunctious.

The writing prompt for this month asks writers to “Tell us about your first book.” My first book hasn’t been published yet. I guess I could end this post right there but readers may want to know more. Well, ok, since you asked I’ll say more.

Like I said my first book hasn’t been published yet. Did you catch it? I used the word “yet” at the end of the previous sentence. It is indeed a hope to have my first book published as a sole author. Did you notice my tricky use of wording in that last sentence? Okay, I’ll explain.

I had the honour of having four stories published last year in a book I co-authored called Good Grief People (Angel Hope Publishing). I mean it was an amazing experience to have wordy babies of mine sent into the world. It has motivated me even more to persevere in having a book, short stories and articles published.

When I was a healthcare chaplain I remember sitting by the bedside of an elderly woman. During a visit she told me about her life (I’ve heard a lot of life stories from people) including her love of writing. When she informed me she was a writer I became even more excited about her story. In a matter of fact way she said, “I used to love to write but now the words in my head are all muddled. I can’t put them together anymore.”

After hearing those sobering words I realized I must keep on writing. My calling to write is sweet and I love it as much as breathing. My dear writing friends I hope you agree with me. Perhaps you say with me, “I must write!”

I write for a particular audience. They are those who feel hard pressed by the burdens they struggle with in life. They are those screaming at God for the unfairness that has violated their lives. I write for those who grieve everyday that their children have been robbed of life. I write for those trying to make their way through the tunnel of depression. They deserve a voice to encouraging them to know they are not alone.

Without trying to sound melodramatic or heroic, I am one of their voices. I am acquainted with grief over the loss of children. I know the darkness of the tunnel. I know that God loves us even when we believe we are lost and without hope.

Hope without cleaning up the muck of life is what I write. That’s what my blog, Scarred Joy, for instance, is all about. That is what the voices of the words in my head and heart are all about. They are the stories often not heard in this crazy world and society we are part of.

My writing as I persevere may not be the most endearing to people. On the other hand, I know some will resonate with such a voice. It is for those I have mentioned that my hope to be published again will be realized.

Blog: scarredjoy.wordpress.com

Hope to the Hopeless - Lynn Dove

When I wrote my first Y.A. novel, "Shoot the Wounded", I had two goals in mind: Become a published author and bringing Glory to God in the process.  I was purposeful in writing my book that any young person who read it, no matter their circumstances, would see that "hope" is found in the Person of Jesus Christ.

The themes in that book and later in the trilogy, were heavy ones for a teen and a young adult to process and deal with.  I incorporated themes into my books, such as teen pregnancy, cancer, grief and family violence, based on my many years of teaching and working with youth who were struggling with these societal issues.  Later, after my books were published, I began writing my blog to help promote my books, but soon discovered that people who started reading and then following my musings responded especially well to posts that contained encouraging scripture and anecdotes that pointed them towards God.  One posting in particular about Grief, that I wrote in 2013, after my daughter lost one of her friends in a horrific traffic accident, has since been viewed an average of 500 times daily!  People share heart-wrenching stories of loss in the comments section, looking for some comfort as they deal with the excruciating pain of losing someone dear to them.  Truly, I have been humbled by the response.  Even more humbling is the responsibility we have as writers to share our faith openly and honestly with people who need to hear The Good News!

As Christians here in Canada and in the United States in particular, we have been openly maligned and denigrated for our faith and belief.  Just last week on my Facebook page a man commented that "Christianity is based on falsehoods and fables, and only idiots would adhere to that religion."  Social media has become a gateway for all manners of attacks and persecution against us, but it also opens up a means for us to share openly with those who "hunger and thirst" for Truth.  (Matthew 5:6)  It is a great responsibility for us, as Christian writers, to boldly proclaim the Truth, no matter the opposition levelled against us.

 "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"  (Romans 8:31)

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 8:38-39)

I want to send out a "shout out" to Connie Inglis, InScribe's prayer warrior.  I have benefited immeasurably by the many times she has sent me an email saying she has prayed a Scripture passage for me.  This always greatly encourages me in keeping me focused on my writing ministry.  Thanks, Connie for your faithfulness!  We need prayer as we face an often hostile world that opposes our message of hope to the hopeless. 


Lynn Dove is the award-winning author, of the YA “Wounded Trilogy”- a contemporary Christian fiction series with coming-of-age themes.  A wife, mom, grandmother, and free-lance writer with articles published in several magazines and anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Soul books, her blog, “Journey Thoughts” is a Canadian Christian Writing Award winner.  Readers may connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and at lynndove.com  

Murphy's Law to Peniel - by Linda Aleta Tame

It all started in the airport in Minot, N.D.  My flight to Phoenix was leaving at 9:30 p.m., but I arrived five hours early (long story).  I had my MacBook Pro with me, so I had something to do during my wait.  Check-in staff assured me I'd find a snack shop in the gate area, so I went through customs clearance, found a quiet spot for myself and settled in.

A couple hours later, my MacBook was running out of battery, there was nowhere to plug it in and I was hungry.  I was dismayed to discover the snack shop closed precisely fifteen minutes earlier.  Surely I'd find a vending machine, I thought, but no, there was only a drink machine which would not accept my U.S. bills.  I gave my most pleading expression to the customs officer to request change, or maybe a quick return to the check-in area where I could see machines brimming with sandwiches and chips, but that was not going to happen.  Okay, I thought, this is a First World problem.  I will survive.  Water will be served on the flight.  I finally got up to board the delayed flight at 11:00 p.m., and it was then I saw the plug-in for my MacBook, a few hours too late.

I'm learning that what once were expectations, should now be considered wishes or better, prayer requests.  The flight attendant said, "Two dollars."  With my eyes fixed on the water bottle, I handed her my U.S. bills.  "We don't accept cash," she responded, so I decided to thirst and hunger another three and half hours, because my debit/credit card was in the overhead compartment. After finally arriving in warm beautiful Phoenix, I recovered with a light snack, water and sleeping, but perhaps from the hours of sitting or the twenty hours of sleeping, I now had a severe stabbing pain in my hip.

Okay, Lord, I think you're trying to get my attention, I thought.  I took my green juice out to the patio, and relaxed into the embrace of my heavenly Father.  What's going on, I asked?  The first thought that came to me was Jacob in Genesis 32:22-32.  Jacob, who wrestled with an angel, Jacob whose hip was badly wrenched.  In verse 31, he received a new walk.  As Edward K. Pousson says in his article Bethel to Peniel, "Nobody struts into the Kingdom."  In verse 28, Jacob received a new name, a new identity.  He was transformed from Jacob to Israel, from "just me" to "commUNITY."  Also in verse 31, when the sun rose upon him, he received a new day, a new beginning.  All this newness in a time of loneliness and discomfort, and Jacob named the place of his transformation "Peniel," which means "face to face with God."

 

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel, Eugene Delacroix

Image from Free Christ Images

 

The following Sunday, I found a wonderful church near our home in Phoenix.  It's called "New Life!"  I love how God works, don't you?

It's hard to put into words how much these thoughts meant to me.  It wasn't because of my unfortunate airport and flight experience, or because of my painful hip.  Those were only preparatory for my encouraging Peniel encounter.  The significance was that my spirit was longing to hear from the One who makes all the difference in my life. My spirit was longing for fresh revelation, for transformation.  I've written before about my long dark journey, a time of introspection, reflection and spiritual bewilderment.  The emerging process seems long too, but it's so rich and valuable.  It's essential. 

Reading about Jacob in Bethel to Peniel by Edward K. Pousson gave me incredible comfort, inspiration and hope.  I hope you'll read it too.