The Themes They Are A-Changin' by Lynn Dove

It started during the night as a tightening, then a squeezing pain in my right calf.  I knew right away I had another blood clot, a DVT.  I hobbled down the stairs and broke the news to my husband that he'd better take me to the emergency room. 

He groaned, "Are you sure?"

"Quite sure," I winced while struggling to put on my shoes. 

Having a family history of DVT's, cancer, and diagnosed with another clotting disorder, the odds were in my favour to get blood clots at some time in my life, and sure enough, I have experienced deep vein thrombosis three times before this one.  As we drove in silence to the hospital, I could feel the anxiety well up in me.  Times had changed in our world.  We were still in the middle of a pandemic, and I wondered what new protocols might be in place to address my current situation and also to keep me safe from contracting the virus.  I wore a mask, as has been my new normal while I've been out and about the last several weeks, but I was given a new one the instant I walked into the emergency department.  The nurses were in full PPE (personal protective equipment), but their eyes seemed friendly enough.  Both my husband and I were told to sanitize our hands, and wait, keeping socially distant from anyone else in the waiting room.  At least the waiting part was very familiar to us.  It was a full day spent at the hospital, waiting on medical tests to confirm what I already knew, I had a DVT in my right leg.  I was sent home with my prescription for blood thinner pills and a new referral to the Thrombosis Clinic. 

All last year, I had documented my battle with endometrial cancer on my blog, Journey Thoughts.  I certainly had not intended at the start of 2019, that the theme of my writing for most of that year, would be focused on my personal journey with cancer, but life events have a way of determining what I write about.  When my kids were teenagers, I wrote about bullying, based on what they were experiencing at school.  When I was teaching, I wrote about my classroom experiences.  As a grandmother now, I write about my growing family.  My personal walk of faith with God has always been a part of my writing, interwoven throughout like a reoccurring colourful thread.  As life has its ebb and flow, or in my case giant U-turns, my writing gives account to all the highs and lows of daily living and walking with God through it all.

It is no wonder that the last several months, my writing has documented some of the challenges I've faced living through a global pandemic.  Three months ago I never used the terms, social distancing, cohort family, or global pandemic.  I never wore a mask, nor imagined a time when people would be forced to stand two metres apart, or unable to hug loved ones, or discover no toilet paper on grocery store shelves.  I thought I faced a "new normal" after my battle with cancer?  I'm still trying to figure out how to follow arrows in supermarkets to ensure we can pick up milk in a safe and orderly manner!

In the last two weeks, I have seen demonstrations held world-wide, to bring awareness to the systemic racism that pervades our society.  It has sensitized me on how I can write in such a way that shows my empathy without offending anyone.  It hasn't been easy.  I want to stay relevant in my writing, but admittedly, there are just some themes and topics I am uncomfortable in tackling.  So I pray instead, and hope my Saviour groans and intercedes on my behalf, hearing my heart when words fail me.

I've spent the past week with my leg elevated, waiting for the blood thinners to cut in.  Only today have I been able to sit at length in front of my computer to blog.  As I reflect on all the events that have occurred world wide, as well as process my own personal experiences over these past few years, I know my writing is in perpetual metamorphosis.  What I write about today, will not be what I write about a year from now,... maybe not even a week from now.  I'm okay with that.  I do pray I will be writing less and less about my ongoing medical issues, because it's a pain.  Literally.  All I can say with great certainty going forward is, "The Themes They are A-Changin'".

  
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   

Shining Light in the Darkness by Steph Beth Nickel

Although the word "unprecedented" has been used over and over, these truly are unprecedented days.

COVID-19. Social distancing. Sheltering in place. Job loss. Increased tension in the home.

And then add the current volatile climate of racial tension (even here in Canada) ...

We're heartbroken, angry, overwhelmed.

As writers, we may be tempted to put down our pens, to walk away from our computers. But as social media pro (and fellow believer) Tonya Kubo says, "We can't quit social media."

We must show up for our audience. We must give leadership to those who read our words ... even if what we lead them to do is listen to more informed voices than our own.

Typically, people would use these words to describe me: perky, talkative, upbeat, positive, encouraging. (And yes, I realize they may refer to me by other less complimentary terms as well, but that's okay.)

Right now, however, I don't feel all that upbeat or positive. But I am learning how to keep pushing forward when I want nothing more than to veg in front of the TV or consume novels.

Here are a dozen the things that will help. (Maybe they'll help you as well.)

1. Dig into God's Word. He is the only one with all the answers.
2. Pray more.
3. Listen to praise and worship music and maybe, sing along. (Plus, do more chair dancing.)
4. Connect with other Christians, if not in person, then via the Internet or phone.
5. Stay connected with family and friends.
6. Get more physical activity. (I've been walking more and doing resistance training again.)
7. Eat better. (A healthy diet goes a long way to make us feel better not only physically but also emotionally and mentally.)
8. Read or listen to books and podcasts that will educate and/or entertain. I am currently listening to Latasha Morrison's Be the Bridge.
9. Take the next step, no matter how small, toward a bigger goal. (I enjoy Emily P. Freeman's podcast, "The Next Right Thing," and her book by the same name.)
10. Get the rest you need. In Saundra Dalton-Smith's Sacred Rest, she discusses the seven types of rest we all need: physical rest, mental rest, emotional rest, spiritual rest, social rest, sensory rest, and creative rest. And speaking of creativity ...
11. Get involved in other creative endeavours besides writing. I enjoy Bible journaling and taking photo walks. I haven't done either near enough.
12. Trust that God's got this. I may have more questions than ever, but I can still trust Him. Romans 8:28 is still true.  

What does my writing life look like right now?

Thankfully, I have editing clients. By helping them get their words ready for their audience, I am encouraged to keep writing as well.

I've begun a Facebook group, Nurture and Inspire, where I show up every day (thanks again to Tonya Kubo's encouragement and the positive feedback I receive from group members).

I write a book review for HopeStreamRadio most weeks. (I have to get a second review fired off this week. At least I'm not as far behind as I could be.)

I'm so thankful for my responsibilities with InScribe and my commitment to guest post on Janet Sketchley's blog each month. It keeps me writing.

I intend to indie publish the first book in my Nurture and Inspire series this year. I am currently reviewing it yet again. I've fired off the intro to a couple of individuals who will "give it to me straight." 

It also helps immensely to belong to several writing and writing-related FB communities, not to mention the courses and summits I've signed up for.

Lord willing, I will push through. More importantly, I will shine in the darkness. 

I'd love to hear how you're doing so.