Finding Comfort in the Cracks By Vickie Stam

When I think about writing within the 'cracks of time' I'm reminded of how my irresistible decision to write was born. Back then I saw the cracks or snippets of time as a resolution - not a problem. There was so much that I needed to get off my chest that finding time to write was not my enemy. I knew exactly when and how to fill those pint-sized spaces of time. 

When the kids were quietly playing or having a nap my pen and paper had undoubtedly become my ally. The most favourable time of course was when they were tucked in for the night. In that moment when the house fell silent I would reach for the journal that would absorb life's challenges, worries and concerns. 

When I had finished scrolling my final thought for the day I would slip out of bed and turn off the light. I remember standing ever so quietly in the darkened room. I held my breath as I cracked open the bedroom door - just a smidge. I hoped that the doors groaning wouldn't wake the two loves of my life. As I crawled back into bed, I knew tomorrow would be a new day, yet it would be chalked full with a familiar routine. In those days I embraced the routine.   

Today, I don't have to wait for little ones to rest or plan ahead to write. I don't have a routine. I'm retired. What a thrill it is now that my time is so flexible. I'm glad those days of routine are behind me! I no longer have to punch a clock or set an alarm. And I know that being held captive to commitments is not something I want to deal with at this point in my life. 

About a year ago, I decided to empty my proverbial plate - the one that was laced with too many responsibilities. Soon after, I felt an irrevocable sense of freedom wash over me - one that granted me the opportunity to choose the things I would like to do. Writing fit perfectly within the framework of my retirement.  

With that being said, about six months ago I stepped into a  volunteer position I could fulfill from home. Letters Against Depression is a charity that asks it's volunteers to hand-write letters of hope and support to people all over the world who are battling depression. It's been a blessing for me to be able to help others during this time when Covid19 has certainly interrupted our world's freedom.       

Yes, there have been a lot of changes in my life. The nest is empty, retirement found me, the world is at an unusual standstill and God is using my writing to provide hope.    

I'm content writing in the cracks.    

    

A Cage Cracked Open by Pamela Mytroen

When I envision a crack, I think of the Zoo Keeper’s wife, Antonina Zabinski, who with her husband Jan, poured her life’s work into their zoo in Warsaw, Poland. During the Nazi occupation, Lutz Heck, the top-ranking zoologist and an officer for Hitler, visited their Zoo in a façade of goodwill, and took rare animals in an attempt to re-create extinct breeds to build up enough for Nazi hunting parties. He then hosted a New Year’s Eve shooting party at their zoo. With deep sadness Antonina and Jan buried their beloved animals. That evening at sunset two hawks and an eagle circled above their garden. Their cage had been cracked open by bullets and they had flown free. However, they didn’t want to leave the only home they knew and the ones they trusted. They flew down and landed on Antonina’s porch, where she fed them.  

Sometimes a crack can open a cage and set a prisoner free, but after being confined for so long, prisoners don’t know how to navigate freedom, and they have to learn to trust all over again. 

I wonder if that’s what’s happening to us during Covid-19? For so long we have lived with certain patterns to our day, and with confident expectations. Maybe our freedom was defined by being able to meet with friends and family, schoolmates and co-workers whenever we wanted. Or perhaps our comforts consisted of travelling, whether a short trip to a Provincial campground or as far away as another country. We have defined freedom by luxury within gilded bars. Even Christians, though we sincerely trusted in the Lord and found joy and peace in Him, have been shaken. Our carefully constructed cage of comforts has cracked wide open. We weren’t expecting it. We were enjoying our short little flights inside our cage. We trusted the Lord because He brought everything to our doorstep and provided for us. Then suddenly a whole new world opened up. Would we fly and leave the cramped confines of little faith? 

Freedom has taken on a new definition. No longer does it mean leaving footprints at every retail location or laughing together over a meal with friends. No, now our freedom is internal instead of external. 

After the Apostle Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, he gives us this timely insight: “Against such things there is no law.” Right now there are laws against getting too close, against using playgrounds, and going to school. Against hugging and working elbow-to-elbow. Against using cash. And watch out if you cough or sneeze in public! We feel strangled, but the Spirit of the Living God is not caged-in, but rather indwells us. There is no law against love – we can and have found creative ways to love each other. A knock on our door revealed a care package from our Youth Pastor and his family – taco chips with homemade fruit salsa, and an encouraging note. People are calling or Zooming, Face timing or Skyping their loved ones more now than ever. 

There is no law against joy. In fact, Paul commands us to rejoice and to count it all joy when we encounter trials of diverse kinds (James 1:2). I think losing a job, and being separated from loved ones counts as a diverse kind of trial, don’t you? We are instructed to be joyful because trials will increase our endurance. To be joyful takes concentration some days. It doesn’t come pouring into my heart at all moments. I have to intentionally search for it. But joy takes the wheel when I focus on the big picture; when I look down the road a ways I see a stronger me. That makes me joyful, to think that I will be more like Jesus, and more ready to stand in His presence someday. I’m enduring this small cross and rejoicing, because of the joy waiting around the corner. “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross,” (Hebrews 12:2b). 

There is no law against peace. I can go to my Father in Heaven at any moment and cast my care upon Him (1Pe 5:7). He offers to share the yoke of stress with me and in exchange gives me peace. I don’t have to wait in line outside on a cold windy day for His peace. I don’t have to wear a mask to approach Him. I don’t have to fear being arrested and fined for walking boldly into His throne room. I fly in, without an appointment, skid to a stop and fall down at His feet. I can even cough, sneeze, and rub my eyes and He won’t report me. The only requirement is that I come in the name of Jesus His Son, the One who gave His life for me – Jesus  – the One who gave up His freedom and be bound so that we could be free. 

Will I fly? I still hesitate. I still want my cage the way it was. My nest was comfy. Everything was predictable. My simple normal life has been cracked open. My routines have been stripped away. I don’t know what the future holds. But I would be crazy not to fly. I’ve been invited to ascend like an eagle into lapis lazuli skies of joy, dive into deep pools of peace, and glide with grace and love. 

Someday I will need strong wings. I will need endurance to keep going when dark clouds obscure Heaven’s shore. I want a wingspan that stretches wide with love, joy, and peace. I’d better step off my perch and start practicing.        

By Pamela Mytroen

   

WRITING IN THE CRACKS OF TIME by Bob Jones

Are you struggling to find time to write? There may be more time than you know what to do with in the time that falls between the cracks.

Here are five strategic ways to find 72 minutes a day, everyday, for writing.

1. The last twelve minutes before you go to bed must be seeded. Those 720 seconds are prime time to prepare for your next day’s writing. Ready your writing space for the next morning. Tablet. Pen. Computer. Chair. No clutter. Spend the other ten minutes thinking about one thing you want to write about in the morning. The subconscious mind is a ready writer. Your last prevailing thought will simmer during the night. You can get a peaceful sleep and a jumpstart on your day.

2. The first 30 minutes when you awaken must be guarded. I find cracks of time at the crack of dawn. My cell phone is silenced. No one else is awake. The house is still. Being a morning person doesn’t hurt. I can count on one hand the number of mornings I’ve missed the dawn in 2020 without needing a wake-up call. Not a morning person? Set your alarm. A hot café mocha and I’m ready to go. The first 30 minutes of my day are the most productive. They must be guarded. No email. No social media. Focus.

3. Take care of business by working over time. Some time between after dinnertime and before bedtime, carve out 30 minutes of my time. Excuse yourself and go to your writing place. Hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the doorknob. Writing is nobody’s business but yours. Get down to business. Thirty minutes becomes sixty and then ninety and before you know it, you’re banked 350 minutes of writing after one week. Over time you will be surprised how much writing you get done.

4. Choose the time that is most convenient for everyone else in your life. This is your sacrifice of love. Married to a morning person? Write later at night so you can be with the one you love in the morning. Got kids? Write before they get up or after they go to bed. You are required to do shift work, work weekends or work more than one job? Write in the cracks of work. You may feel these choices leave you writing in weakness, but weakness is God’s favourite place to show his strength. When you make sacrifices out of love, don’t be surprised how God makes time out of your sacrifices. 

5. Never leave home without a way to redeem the time. Every week you have one or more moments of unexpected wait time. Waiting at an appointment. Waiting for a meeting to begin. Waiting because of a cancellation. Don’t fight it. Write in it. Prepare your mind to seize the opportunity in adversity.

Cracks let the light in. Are you ready?

Please take time and leave a comment below. Thank you.

Resources for Review Day

It's REVIEW DAY here on the blog!

Did you even know that we had a regular day each month set aside for reviews? It's true! Unfortunately, not many of our members take advantage of this.

If you have read a good book - a book that you think would be helpful for writers, or one written by a member -  please contact me (the moderator!) and let me know. I would love to see this day FULL each month!

I am in the process of reading several good books, but did not get around to writing a review yet. One is called PRODUCTIVITY FOR AUTHORS by Joanna Penn and so far it is excellent. I plan to share my review once I'm finished.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share another resource. The Winter issue of FellowScript, was chock full of resources -  both online and books. There were several reviews, too. Despite the many fantastic suggestions, I was almost overwhelmed by all the suggestions and didn't really take the time to research them further. However, now is the time to go back and check out some of those links!

I must admit that I love getting the hardcopy of FellowScript in the mail every month, but this particular issue shows why the pdf version is also very valuable. It is easy to go into the online version and click on all those links - something you can't do with the hardcopy! And... may I remind you that ALL MEMBERS now receive the e-version of FellowScript as a bonus for being a member - even those that also subscribe to the hardcopy version.

Why not take some time during this season of 'self isolation' and dig a little deeper into the many wonderful offerings available.