My Writing Life Looks a Lot Like My Lawn by Bob Jones

The other day, I came inside with dirt on my hands and grass seed stuck to my shoes after one more attempt to fix the dead spots in our lawn before winter.

Jocelyn and I had been away most of the summer, and when we returned, our yard told the story of our absence: a patchwork of healthy green mixed with deathly grey. And of course, my perfection seeking eyes went straight to the grey.

On the bright side, the lawn is weed-free—thanks to the lawn company I hired. But the grass itself? Not so lucky. Earlier in the season, I’d patched and seeded with new growth, but weeks of drought while we were gone undid all that progress.

Jocelyn insists it doesn’t look as bad as I think. Maybe she’s right. But when I see the grey patches, all I can think about is fixing them.

The Secret

So, one more time, I dig, remove some old earth, spread fresh topsoil, scatter seed, sprinkle fertilizer, cover it gently with more topsoil, water, pray, and water again. The secret to new grass isn’t complicated: keep the soil moist.

And somewhere between watering the ground and brushing the dirt from my hands, it hit me: my writing life in 2025 looks a lot like my lawn.

There are spots of vibrant growth—moments I’m proud of. And there are patches that look deathly and barren. And just like grass needs water, my writing needs reading.

A Watered Soul

Reading other writers waters my soul. I soak up your subjects, your styles, and your sticky phrases.

· Brenda, your phrase about memoir writing as "a lifetime in a timeline" gave me writers envy.

· Susan, your poetic confession, "I am being reduced" carried surprising strength in its surrender.

· Sharon, your description of a favourite author’s ability to "wake up my gray cells." made me grin.

Encouraged

The prompt asked whether I feel encouraged to keep writing. Without a doubt. I'll keep working on my lawn and my writing because I want to be proud of what is produced.

And I reflect on God’s promise in the prompt:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions

never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

—Lamentations 3:22-23

God loves us—even when we’re our own worst critics. Maybe the best gift we can give ourselves is a little compassion. Compassion is like morning dew: quiet, renewing, faithful.

A daily grace that waters a writer's soul.

 

Bob and Jocelyn are both REVs and write at www.REVwords.com about hope and lately about the people they encountered in Ukraine.

My Reading Life by Bob Jones

 

I read all my books on Kindle.

I gave up the pleasure of reading printed copies when my role as a pastor with a large office came to an end. Ceiling to floor bookcases occupied two of the three available office walls and were lined with thousands of books collected over 40 years of pastoring. In moving out, I donated hundreds to my colleagues, and friends and a Bible College library. The remaining books were boxed up and carted home. Those boxes sit unopened six years later in our basement. Our home features one small bookcase that was already overflowing.

Thus, all my subsequent purchases became limited to digital. It’s a space efficient way to store a portable library online. And one that meets the approval of my wife.

The most recently downloaded books are an unbalanced mix of work-related and for pleasure. 80/20 work-related.

Kindle

Open my Kindle and you’ll find books that follow a read to lead theme: books about church health, pastoral health, church systems, leadership, change, vision formation, succession planning, culture creation, and network leadership.

You’ll also see my latest read, Nancy French’s, Ghosted. I’ve tracked with David and Nancy French for a couple of years. David writes for the New York Times. Nancy is a ghostwriter who was employed primarily by Republican officials as a speech writer and biographer. They are some of my favourite writers. Ghosted is filled with behind the scenes insight to many things political, Nancy’s hillbilly anecdotes, and her sense of humour.

“My dad described his twenty-five cousins as ‘rednecks, rough and ready,’ and they drank, fought, and stole their way honestly onto those wanted posters. I loved my family and never feared them, though my uncle Jasper pulled me aside and threatened to kill anyone who harmed me. I thought this was normal.”

Scroll through a few more and you’ll see another favourite, Kristin du Mez’s, Jesus and John Wayne.

Every so often I re-read books from the American Civil War era: Killer Angels, The Battle of Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee, and The Last Full Measure.

I don’t follow a reading program although I was a founding member of a book club in 1996. The group still meets. Wednesdays at 8:00am. My participation ended five years ago when my new work schedule regularly filled that time slot.

Reading and Writing Life

My reading life influences my writing life in a simple way. I appreciate the pace and look of a well-written paragraph.

Ronald Tobias, author of The Elements of Fiction Writing: Theme & Strategy believes,

“The rhythm of action and character is controlled by the rhythm of your sentences. You can alter mood, increase or decrease tension, and pace the action by the number of words you put in a sentence.” Mike Skotnicki, Briefly Writing, March 27, 2012

However, Joyce Carol Oates, aged 86 and author of 58 novels, says it best about paragraphs,

“…how to structure it, what sort of sentences (direct, elliptical, simple or compound, syntactically elaborate), what tone (in art, “tone” is everything), pacing. Paragraphing is a way of dramatization, as the look of a poem on a page is dramatic; where to break lines, where to end sentences.” Alexander Sammon, Mother Jones, September 10, 2016

I look forward to observing the reading lives of our InScribe writers.

Thank you for reading. Find more of Bob’s content at REVwords.com

Take Charge of Your Writing Life - Tracy Krauss

For most of the writers I know, finding ideas to write about is not an issue. Finding the time to craft these ideas into something worthy of sharing is another thing altogether. It takes effort. It takes discipline. It takes a certain amount of dogged determination.

Here are some pointers that I have found helpful:

1. Just sit down and do it! Don’t wait until you are less tired, more inspired, or not as busy. These are excuses that we’ve all used from time to time, but in the end, they are still excuses. Dust and dishes tend to regenerate—we’re all too busy—and that mystical muse gets far more credit than it should. Take control of your time and your muse. I have found that beginning is usually the biggest hurdle. Once I just sit down and start writing, fatigue, lack of inspiration, and anxiety about what else I need to do melts away.

2. Make writing a habit. Choose a daily word count or a time allotment. This is a habit I try to maintain at least five days a week. I also set monthly and yearly goals for myself that are specific and measurable. Note that when I say “writing,” I mean just that. Writing time is not the same as time on social media, editing, marketing, or other writing-related activities. Writing for me means composing something new, be it a play, a novel, a short story, or even a blog post.

3. Eliminate distractions. Turn off the TV. Shut the office door. Allow the answering machine to take messages. Close your Facebook page. If you choose to write for one hour, let’s say, then give yourself 60 minutes without all the distractions. I’ve even heard some writers say they set a timer. I’ve tried this a few times and it actually works well. When the timer rings, chances are you’ll be inspired enough to continue writing.

Naturally, we all go through seasons of productivity, and that’s okay, too. However, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of inactivity that has its roots in our own excuses. Don’t do it! Take charge of your own writing life. It’s as easy as one-two-three.

I admit that I found this post in my archives. I wrote it for the InScribe Professional blog back in 2015, but I think the advice is still pretty good!

________________________

Tracy Krauss writes and lives in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Visit her website: https://tracykrauss.com

T is for Training by Lorilee Guenter

 

Once upon a time, my daughter challenged me to walk/run a 5K with her. I was an overweight, asthmatic who could not run 30 seconds. But how do you say no to the argument: you tell us to just try? I set out to train my body to run for 5 minutes, convinced I would fail. My plan was to run 5 minutes and walk 5 minutes. If I could run more great. I had to work with diligence and intentionality. To my surprise, it worked. I no longer run preferring to hike instead. Because of the earlier training, I know I can hike up to 5K even on a more difficult terrain. 

Somewhere around the time I started training my body, I started retraining my mind. I had written for fun. I kept a journal on and off. I decided I wanted to try writing a novel. I built on my journal habit and sat down to write each day in November that year. The result is a disjointed mess. I had not taken time to build my story telling skills. I might break it up into short stories. I might leave it on the shelf as a reminder that I can try and I can learn. I can train to improve my writing. I have a series of novel attempts. Each better than the last. One is almost ready to publish. During these training exercises, I learned what I like to write and what I struggle to write. The first draft of my writing is always a case of the missing comma. However, with practice, I no longer miss as many commas as I once did. 

Books, workshops, and writing communities are integral to my training. So is reading. I am always reading. Just as an athlete continues to train in their sport, as writers we need to continue to work on our craft.

In Hebrews 12:1 we are challenged to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." We are also given guidelines for training in faith and life. By fixing our eyes on Jesus we can reach the goal. I can not run this race alone. In each of the training examples above, I had a group of people challenging me,  guiding me and cheering me on. In life and faith we have the same support when we engage with the community around us. No matter how large or small our faith family is, we have a friend and mentor in Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit. A life of consistent faith is the most important training we will undertake. May we each follow the training plan He has for our lives. 

Getting Into the Zone by Ruth Keighley

To write or not to write? That is the question. As writers we are often given the advice to spend some time writing each day even if it is only for a brief period of time. For many of us this involves a lot of discipline. By nature we tend to let our moods and attitudes dictate when we will sit down and put our thoughts on paper.

Personally, I struggled with the inclination to wait until it ‘feels right’. Am I free from either physical or mental distractions? Do I ‘feel’ inspired to write? Is it imperative that I meet an impending deadline? Do I write because I sense a pressing need and longing to do so?

In earlier times I failed to discipline myself because I still did not have the confidence to believe that my writing was worth the effort. I wonder what I have missed because of that attitude. I wonder what my potential readers have missed because of it. Possibly I have failed to write that masterpiece because of my lack of confidence.

I have found through practice, I can ‘get into the zone’ more readily. It requires consistent, unswerving commitment to honing my craft. This is where that illusive discipline comes into play. At times I sit down to write because my thoughts will not let go of a particular idea and writing it down will put it all into perspective. During the last two years, throughout the covid crisis, I have developed more discipline and have spent almost everyday writing something. The results have been amazing as I’ve seen some of my work accepted for publication.

These attitudes towards writing can parallel our mind-set towards the time we spend with the Lord. Daily, consistent prayer time has become a discipline that I must faithfully pursue. It does not always come naturally to me to seize those day-by-day moments.

Many attitudes may determine the time I spend in prayer. Am I free from physical and mental distractions? Do I ‘feel’ like it? Do my circumstances compel me to pray? Do I sense a pressing need and longing to spend time with the Lord?

God invites us to spend time with him. In Hebrews 4:16 he encourages us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  He wants us to come as we are and not wait until we are “in the zone.”

At times I wonder what blessings I may have missed because of my lack of discipline. What longings have gone unanswered? I wonder what blessing others have missed because I have not been faithful to spend time with the one who invites me to come habitually into his presence?

When I consistently commit myself to spending time with the Lord, prayer becomes second nature to me and it results in a beautiful, regular and satisfying relationship with God. The rewards are unmistakable and well worth the effort. Let us all dedicate ourselves to improving our resolve to both write and pray consistently. I love the saying I heard at a writers conference once, “learn to write on your knees”. The two go hand in hand. 

Ruth is a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She lives in Warman, SK. She enjoys writing, reading, jigsaw puzzles and embroidery.

A Writing Path Defined by Brenda Leyland

"In your life's defining moments there are two choices

- you either step forward in faith and power

or you step backward into fear."

James Arthur Ray

As a young woman starting out, I had many plans for my life—becoming a writer was not one of them, not even as a secret wish tucked in a hidden corner. So how did I get on this writing path? Thinking back, it all came about rather quietly, no bolts of lightning, no writing on the wall. But these defining moments weren't passive—they came with a certain tenacity, much like when someone tugs your sleeve until you turn 'round and notice who's vying for your attention.

Perhaps it began with the encouragement from my mom and from an auntie who would say to my mom, 'That Brenda, she should write a book'. As much as I appreciated these kind comments—perhaps I did have a flair for words written in a card or Christmas letter—surely it couldn't mean anything more. No matter, seeds were planted.

Without L.M. Montgomery’s influence, I probably wouldn’t be a writer today. If you’ve followed past posts, you already know the creator of Green Gables figured a key place in my youth, first as a girl loving her beloved characters Anne and Emily, and then later falling in love with the author herself as I delved into her published journals and poetry. Reading her books created a yearning in me—if only I could write as beautifully as she wrote. I loved how she described the world around her.

How was I to know that taking a job in 1982 at the Alberta Legislature in the Premier's Office would put me on a path to writing. Starting as a typist on the team that handled reams of correspondence, I eventually became a correspondence writer preparing thousands of letters for my Boss's signature. As my writing skills developed, so my interest to write increased. I began to imagine a ministry through the art of writing—not only letters but articles, children’s lessons, newsletters, maybe even books. Blogs, at that point, were still misty decades in the future.

I'll not forget the day around 2001 when a verse in Proverbs leapt from the page: "Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25 AMP I felt a weightiness in those lines. For I knew just how life-sustaining it was to get news from afar—standing in the post office line up as a college student, hoping against hope for a letter from home to assuage my homesick heart. Somehow, I felt the words of this verse were entwined with my budding dream to write, that I would one day write from the heart of my home and maybe for homesick hearts. The phrase 'a word from home' kept going around in my head. It seemed a right fit for my ministry of writing. Business cards printed in anticipation were, alas, rarely handed out—too scary to announce I was a writer. Still, they indicated another step forward on the path.

Months later I saw the advertisement for a Spring WorDshop mini conference in Calgary and registered for my first ever InScribe event. It was April 2002. Every word keynote speaker Kathleen Gibson shared that weekend about her own writing journey dropped like fresh manna into my heart. Drawn to her writings, I gobbled up her newspaper articles posted on a website, ever hoping I'd learn how to write with such grace and skill.

If there is one defining moment that really pushed me forward, it was the day I created my own blog. People on the web were talking about this thing called blogs. Intrigued, I headed to the library and hauled home any books I could find on the subject. One August day in 2008 I took the plunge and It’s A Beautiful Life was live to the world. Setting myself the challenge to write 100 posts in 100 days, I was on my way to establishing a daily writing habit. The blogging platform was appealing—it gave me immediate access to an online audience. I could write my piece and publish it then and there, no sending it away to wait months for news from some publication. I also loved being able to receive comments from readers as soon as the post was live—an instant connection could be established, the building of community underway. More than thirteen years now, it's still my favourite place to write and be in touch with my readers.

Today I celebrate all that my Divine Editor in Chief gave me when He opened the door and gently pushed me into a world of words—a world I never dreamed was possible for me. Step by step He led me, defining the moments He knew I needed to push me forward…. until one day I believed that I, too, could take my place as a writer for Him.

Inspired by the beauty of God's world around her, Brenda Leyland writes from her home in northerly Alberta, Canada. You can find more on her blog It's A Beautiful Life (beautiful.wordfromhome.com) and Facebook page.

(Top) Image by Petra Boekhoff from Pixabay

Powerful Prayer by Wendy L. Macdonald

 Recently, I had an over-the-moon answer to prayer. It prompted one of the most intense praise and worship happy dances I’ve ever done. Save for when I got married, for when God healed me of eating disorders, and when He opened my barren womb, I haven’t been so excited about an answered prayer as I was about this one. But before I share the answer with you, I want to talk about powerful prayer.

What makes one prayer more powerful than another?

I believe a three-strand prayer is irresistible to God. 

When we weave passion, purpose, and petition together, our hope isn’t easily broken. If our passion is to please and glorify God, if our heart is focused on His purpose being fulfilled in our life, and if our petitions are humbly submitted with the understanding He will open and close doors according to what’s best, we can’t lose. We will have peace whatever happens because we’ll believe and rest in the serenity of His wisdom being played out in His answers to our prayers.

I’m lousy at guessing what God’s up to. So lousy. I waded through the slough of infertility for a dozen years of tears. A few months after I told God, “I choose to trust You,” I got pregnant again and didn’t miscarry that time.

I’m not saying the three-strand prayer is a formula for getting what we prayed for. I’m saying it’s a win-win petition that brings us peace while we wait. When we submit our passions and desires for His purposes, He is able to do amazing things because we walked in obedience and relinquished our will to God. It’s wise and fruitful to exchange our will for His will. And because we chose to trust, we’re nestled against God’s chest and are comforted immeasurably if we find out our prayer wasn’t answered in the way we had hoped.

God knows best.

He sees into the future and knows what we need to be fruitful and blessed.

Now for my exciting answer to prayer: In my June InScribe post, I asked for prayer: “I covet a prayer or two as I attempt to complete my proposal on time. I’m almost done. Thank you from the bottom of this writer’s heart.”

I did complete my proposal on time. Oh my, it wasn’t easy. But I believe in the project. Although I’d had the idea for several years, my passion for it hadn’t waned. My problem is: I’m not a leader. I’m a follower. I adore being led by a person of integrity. This is why I haven’t attempted self-publishing. I wanted a literary agent who believed in me—who leadeth me. I craved to have someone choose me because I’ve never been good at choosing friends, never mind a “business partner.” My best friends are the ones who chose me. They are the forever friends God blessed me with.

And that’s what happened with my book proposal. I entered it in the book hook contest, and although it was shortlisted but didn’t win the final round, it did win me a contract for representation. On August 20th, I discovered it won the attention of a godly and talented literary agent who also happens to be an award-winning author. I’m so pleased and blessed to be represented by now Cynthia Ruchti of Books & Such literary agency. I’m over the stars grateful God answers powerful prayers. 

Now I need to keep praying I complete the project in the way God and my agent desire it to be done. I also need to grow my platform and newsletter subscriber list to an impressive-to-publishers level. My work has only just begun. But you know who. God. 

The following Bible verse was the one my husband and I put on our wedding invitations for August 19, 1983. (It seems appropriate to share it here too.):   

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV

I’m nosy-to-know what you’ve noticed to be the most powerful way for you to pray?

Blessings ~ Wendy Mac       

 PS If you enjoyed my from-the-heart inspiration, please consider subscribing to my monthly email newsletter here: Wendy’s Newsletter.  

2020 Vision: Glimpses from the Rear-View Mirror by Sandi Somers

To our writers and readers,

I’ve sometimes thought I’d like to write a blog at the end of the month, highlighting the encouragements and insights of our InScribe writers.  I’ve decided to begin on a frequent or occasional basis.

Image from istoci

My theme comes from Tracy's “2020 Vision—Clarity”, where she wrote, “with God's help I hope to move forward in 2020 with new vision for what's really important.” My focus is that often clarity comes in retrospect. Just think of how often we say, “Hindsight is 2020 vision!”

(A side note: A collective thanks to Tracy who’s been our moderator and has scheduled most daily slots with new or returning bloggers. And thanks to Brenda Leyland who filled in when Tracy was in the hospital. I especially thank Tracy for pulling out from her archives one of Connie Inglis’ Mid Week Moments, now transformed into Mid Month Moments.)

January: Our Word or Scripture for the Year.

Thank you for writing such inspiring blogs! Each day as I read your words, I said, “Yes! Yes! I relate to what you’re writing.”

I pray God will keep these words before you this year, and that you will ask yourself: “How can I see my relationships, daily experiences, life challenges, spiritual life, and my writing projects through the lens of my word or scripture of the year? How can I encourage my readers to press on and pursue God’s high calling for me (Hebrews 12:2)?”

February: How God Refreshes Us

In February, we answered the question, “How does God refresh you?” We wrote of our humanness in its many forms—fatigue, worry, health issues, bad habits and sins—and joy, I thought of how much we are subject to our human frailties. But God knows our humanness, and He “remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14 NLT).  

In all your humanness, you brought in a shift in perspective, reframing your issues to see God at work refreshing you moment-by-moment, throughout the day, in critical moments and at particular life crossroads. Your diverse perspectives helped us all to stand in awe at the richness and many nuances of our Creative God.

God’s Refreshment

As you wrote of how God refreshed you, you spoke of transformative moments: through daily quiet time where God gives His words of life; through silence, and through prayer that is “the pause that refreshes”.

Several people mentioned how important music, photography, writing and other arts are to them. Just recently I read Bach’s words: “The aim and final reason of all music should be none else but the glory of God and refreshing the soul.” (That goes for our writing, too!)

Many of you found God in nature and relishing God’s creation: walking in the woods near waterfalls and among birds, and finding companionship with our animal friends.

Health brokenness was another theme. Lynn Dove, who’s shared her progress through cancer, saw God’s faithfulness in answering her prayers for health and healing.  

Others found hope and refreshment while still living in brokenness. Katie Gerke discovered “hidden treasures” in fading flowers in late summer, affirming to her that God still has a purpose in her disability. 

So many said how we need others to refresh us: a child or grandchild who shows love through their smiles and attention. Others become our fellow travellers who affirm us and pour into our lives.

Our Responses                                                                                                    

Hidden in some messages was that being refreshed means we need to do our part. Several bloggers wrote that we are transformed through a “focus shift”, a “new mindset”, thankfulness and rejoicing in hope. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds,” Paul instructs us (Romans 12:2).

Yet others discovered refreshment in joy and beauty, in reframing the world as through the eyes of a child, or in consciously seeking daily “shining moments”. “Sometimes (these moments) surprise me,” Joy Bailey wrote. “(W)hen they happen I need to stop in my tracks and take them in…Moments of refreshment sprinkled throughout a day, a week. Strung together they form a strand of sparkle and shimmer that adorns this ordinary life.” (Joy has the perfect name for this meditation, too!)

Sharon Heagy reminded us: "Refreshment, true refreshment, is only found in Him and I need to surrender and let it pour over me like a healing, restorative balm. This will indeed take practice. To surrender the moment.” 

Our Ultimate Hope

Bruce Atchison finalized our month by reminding us that our ultimate refreshment and hope comes from being assured of our citizenship in Heaven. Jesus encourages us with His promise that He’s preparing a place for us (John 14:2-3). 

In all God does for us, I think of how He wants to make us a people who worship Him and give honour back to Him. I leave you with two inspirational songs and my prayer for us all: Faithful One, So Unchanging,  and What a Faithful God!  

 “Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him.

As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;

he will come to us like the winter rains,

like the spring rains that water the earth"

(Hosea 6:3)

Embracing the Changing Seasons of Life by Nina Faye Morey

For everything there is a season,

and a time for every purpose under heaven.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ASV)

Just as nature’s seasons change, so do the seasons of our lives. We may not be willing to accept these changes, but they will happen nevertheless. They are inevitable and come and go quickly. Time passes even faster as I grow older, and the seasons of my life zoom past with head-spinning speed. But would I really want to stop the clock? If my life grew stale and stagnant despite these ever-changing seasons, would I still remain content? As far as I can see, I only have two choices. I can be the passive casualty of change or the passionate embracer of change. I know which one I will choose. How about you?

Change doesn’t have to be viewed as negative. Many changes in my life have definitely been for the better. They’ve opened me up to new adventures, new experiences, new discoveries, new ideas, new passions, new hopes, new dreams, new purposes, new people, and so many other new and positive things. I’ve discovered that I am more satisfied with the seasons of my life if I choose to actively embrace these changes rather than complaining about them, fearing them, resisting them, or outright rejecting them. I must not be afraid to step out of my comfort zone, shake-up my normal routine, and move ahead with my life.

Autumn is a glorious season when the summer leaves change colour from their fine greenery to brilliant shades of yellow, red, and orange. It’s also traditionally a time when one season of life transforms into another. As I harvest and preserve the fruits of past labours, I am also planning what seeds I will plant and nurture through my next season of growth. Embracing these changing seasons of life offers renewed opportunities to envision how to make the best use of my God-given gifts. More specifically, what does God want me to do and what do I want Him to do for me in the next phase of my writing life? I am excited to see what new challenges He has in store for me and how He will help me to meet these challenges. What does He require of me and how will I respond? I have dreamed up so many writing projects for this upcoming season that I hardly know where to begin.

The LORD says, “I will teach you the way you should go;

I will instruct you and advise you.

~ Psalm 32:8 (GNT)

As I prepare for my next season of growth, I feel God challenging me to cultivate fresh fields. One new field in which I plan to plant and nurture seeds is on a site in the realm of the internet. I haven’t settled on a name for my new domain yet, but I’ve been reading several of those how-to books and websites that promise to help me plan, design, and launch my new website into this online world. I don’t know if this new site will prove to be a fertile ground for growth, but I intend to fully embrace this challenge. I believe that if I listen to God’s voice and respond positively to this change He’s asking me to make in my writing life, my efforts will prove to be fruitful.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you.

For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine,

and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

~ John 15:4 (NLT)

Just as the seasonal changes in nature are inevitable, so are the changes that naturally occur as we go through the seasons of life. What new challenges in your life or writing do you feel God has in store for you this season, and how will you respond?

The Story Behind the Story by Sandi Somers

Creative Nonfiction magazine has sometimes featured an article on the background of a writer’s particular work. They called it, “The Story Behind the Story.” Sometimes these background stories are as interesting—or more interesting—than the story itself. Our own Sally Meadows recently wrote a blog that illustrates perfectly this concept.

All of us can tell how we conceptualized, planned and wrote a particular work, or what happened after it was published. This is our topic for October.

          

Ministry in Refreshing

Years ago, my work situation had been conflict-ridden and I was frustrated. And yet as I read Isaiah 41:18, God spoke into my spirit, “I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys”.

And so it was that a few months later I travelled through the dry

plain in Washington State, through an area that was irrigated and producing lush vegetable gardens, fruit trees and hay crops. As I left the valley, I was surprised to see an irrigated orchard partway up the pass, and then another at the top of the pass. I expected lush groves in the valley, but not on the heights!

It was a mystery how water could reach the heights. It was a mystery how God would water my dry spirit. And yet it was a visual reminder of God’s promise from Isaiah that He would refresh me. My response was to leave everything in Gods’ hands. He would make all things work together for my good and for His greatest glory.

* * *

I wrote that story as a devotional, and it was published in The Upper Room. Some time later, I received a letter (this was before emails) from a woman in Yakima, Washington, asking where I had seen these groves. She shared how she and her Bible study group used The Upper Room as one of their study guides, and the group was pleased that a devotional was written about a location close to home. It was great to know that my words had refreshed their spirits.

PS. In a return letter, I told her that I had stopped in Yakima to pick up a small bottle of mouthwash. Walmart, where I had stopped, was holding a special sale, and I picked up three pairs of shoes, a purse, a jean skirt and jean dress, all for $59. And I shared how my less-than-a-dollar mouthwash had cost $59.Perhap this too was a confirmation of how God could supply refreshment and abundance for my needs.

Now it’s your turn. I look forward to hearing your story behind the story.

When it All Seems Wrong by Marcia Lee Laycock

Jumbled Letters

“It has to be here somewhere,” my husband’s voice was annoyingly calm.

“But the road ends right here!” My voice was not.

“Are you sure you have the address right?”

I sighed and dug out my cell phone to find the website and address for the courier again. I groaned when it finally came up. The number was 7476 not 4767. I opened my GPS app. and typed in the correct address. My husband chuckled as it directed us to the right spot.

I always have been a bit dyslexic when it comes to numbers but I couldn’t believe I had gotten the address so wrong. Not just one number out of place, but all of them! I sighed with frustration.

I remember having that same feeling one day when I was editing my first novel. I had put it away for a while, after writing The End, but now it was time to take a close critical look at it. I marked it up with my own unique editing notations and when I reached that last page I sighed with frustration. Many scenes seemed out of order. In fact, it seemed all wrong. I was tempted to just hit the delete button and start again, but there were segments I liked, characters that worked and scenes that had a good emotional punch. If I could just figure out where to put them! It took a while but the hard work of rearranging was worth it in the end. The novel won me the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award and I have had some wonderful responses from readers. In the end, I was glad I hadn’t hit that delete button.

Sometimes life seems like that doesn’t it? Sometimes we look at what’s going on around us, in our world, in our country, in our own local area and even in our own family, and it seems like it’s all mixed up – it’s all wrong. Sometimes we’d like to just hit some kind of delete button and start over. But then we see those shining moments when things do work, when the goodness and kindness of humanity prevail, or when right conquers wrong in a stunningly powerful way. We realize our world, our country, our city, our family and our work is worth the effort.

And then there are those wonderful promises in God’s word: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33). And this one: The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8).

2016 will no doubt have many challenges and perhaps even trials in store that will stretch us all in many ways. There will be times when it will seem that everything, including our writing, is all wrong.

But as we head into a new year it is good to remember that “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22,23).

May He bless you and your writing mightily in 2016!
****

Marcia Lee Laycock writes from central Alberta Canada where she is a pastor's wife and mother of three adult daughters. She was the winner of The Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone. The sequel, A Tumbled Stone was short listed in The Word Awards. Marcia also has two devotional books in print and has contributed to several anthologies. Her work has been endorsed by Sigmund Brouwer, Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and Mark Buchanan.

Abundant Rain, an ebook devotional for writers can be downloaded on Smashwords or on Amazon. 

It is also now available in Journal format on Amazon. Here's a review by Tandy Balson:

"In Abundant Rain, author Marcia Laycock has given writers of faith a tool to challenge and inspire. The devotional journal has stories from the author’s life, each one ending with the lessons she learned from them. I found myself applying these lessons to my life and my writing as I was still reading them. This journal is a valuable resource that will help us dig deeper into our calling as writers."

 

Her most recent release is A Traveler’s Advisory, Stories of God’s Grace Along the Way. 

Here's a review by Ane Mulligan -
"Marcia Laycock has an inspired ability to deliver devotions that pierce the heart with a message from God. A Travelers Advisory is a unique devotion book, filled with everyday occurrences from travel, and each reached home in my heart."

Visit Marcia’s Website

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