Joy in Fresh Perspectives by Joylene M. Bailey

I like to spend time with children. A child's perspective is always fresh, in a way that we forget as we become adults. I like to try to figure out how a child would see a situation. How would they understand it? How would they describe it? What does it look like from their eye-level?

I'm reminded of the time, after visiting the doctor to have some plantar warts taken care of, I said to my four-year-old, "Ooh, that doctor really did a number on my foot!"
To which she replied, "What number was it?"

Another time at an extended family dinner the adults were deep in conversation about selling arms to China - a topic in the news at the time. I glanced over at two wide-eyed horrified children. They were clutching their arms to their bodies, while their imaginations conjured up piles of human arms being packaged up and mailed to China. And what on earth did China need arms for?

It's an art, being able to see things from a child's perspective. But an art that brings a freshness to any writing. And that kind of freshness brings me joy.

There's a story I need to write - someday. I can't do it right now. It's still too painful. There's nothing there. The words won't come. 

But I don't see this as writer's block. I know God will tell it through my pen in due season and I am content to wait for His timing.

In the meantime I choose joy, and I will write about other things.

Joy blossoms from a thankful heart.
It says, "God, I see what you did there. Thank you!"

Joy in the gift of writing.

Joy in the act of writing and all that it entails.

Joy in creation and creativity.

Joy in fresh perspectives.

                                                 



                                               

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

FRESHNESS OR FRUIT? by Bryan Norford

 Reading previous blogs on the current issue, It has become plain that most, if not all, writers go through dry periods. Which leads me once again to challenge the premise of this month’s subject. Psalm 1:3 certainly suggests our leaves should remain green all the time. But is greenness the goal? Specifically, the Psalm suggests producing fruit in season.

 

Which brings us to the seasons of life. We bewail the dry periods of life—they are difficult and painful—yet every tree that flourishes goes though its winter cycle of apparent deadness. In Christian terms, remaining fresh is remaining faithful during the “long night of the soul.”

Ann and I often remind young marrieds, that difficulties in the relationship are not a sign the marriage is failing. Resolving them is the bedrock of a stronger marriage and closer relationship. Good marriages are built on the tough times, just as a mariner learns his craft on the rough seas.

Many of the previous blogs indicate a freshness of understanding that comes on emerging from the dark periods. It’s not too exaggerated to say our faith and perseverance are built in those times; without them we would be spiritually poorer, and our output less real. Pat answers are for those who manage to sail through life on smooth seas.

Can we recognize the barren times as necessary as the flourishing times? After all, Ecclesiastes reminds us there is a time for everything. The particular work He has for us may require the times of searching and discovery the hard times bring.

We prefer to walk in a grassy meadow than a trackless desert, but even the inhospitable desert has a severe beauty. It is only as we emerge from the aridness we can see the grandeur of God’s plan and the hidden beauty of His handiwork.

Perhaps Corrie Ten Boom’s Poem sums it up:

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.

 

Every blog I’ve read this month reveals a victorious emergence from a period of barrenness. By remaining faithful, however long or short the quiet periods of germination, we will produce our fruit in season. We won’t miss it if we trust His schedule—it’s always right on time.

Spring - by Loretta Bouillon

Spring is time for new beginnings and is an opportunity to start fresh. That all sounds good in theory, however, how can I apply this to my writing?

Let me be very honest with you. For lack of a better term, I have been experiencing a type of writer’s block. Normally, I tend to write about what’s happening around me with my family. If I do actually sit down to work on my novel (which is forever in process), life must be running relatively smoothly so I can focus. For the past few months, there have been some challenges in my life.  Other than  journaling, I am not motivated or inspired to write about those things. This is partly because it is too personal and partly because I think, “who wants to read about my struggles?”  Through this season, I have been learning that it’s okay to lay down the “important” writing projects with the perspective that writing is sometimes just between me and God. For my eyes only, and for His. I journal the process as a sort of therapy and prayer.

Although I will continue doing this, I have made a decision. I am going to try a new kind of therapy. I am still going to write about the world around me but I am also going to try something new. I have made a list of things I am going to write about “just because” and for no particular reason. Happy things. Intentional things. Meaningful to me things. My list goes something like this:

• My garden
• My greenhouse
• My most favourite places on my property to enjoy my afternoon coffee
• Outdoor aquafit
• My dogs
• My horses
• A new recipe
• A road trip alone
• Sitting by the river
• A walk through a meadow

I might blog about these things, write them as a devotion to God or maybe even try my hand at poetry; but I have a list! A random list of seasonal topics that I will just have fun with. I am actually getting excited thinking about the challenge as I type this post J.  Hmmn….it  might even be an idea to do this at the beginning of every season?

https://lorettabouillon.wordpress.com/