I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

(Philippians 4:13, New Living Translation)

 

 The message being proclaimed that many will have to rethink how they make a living and how their future might look made me wonder. Did those who are scrambling to make sense of their lives once have hopes and dreams that were lost in living. These thoughts took me back to a young me.

             “You’ll never write a book!” The man screamed.  Shock, and humiliation surged through me, but my determination lingered.

 Two weeks later our small writing group of four traveled to San Antonio to what would be my first writer’s conference and writer’s contest. On the last day of the session as we all gathered together to hear those lucky contest winners, hope soared that my name would be among the ones announced. The only person from our writing group to receive any recognition was another woman who was among the honorable mentioned. The disappointment that followed was nothing like the horror I was about to experience.

            For the second part of the meeting, this well-seasoned editor used a contest entry as an example of how not to write.  I was devastated that he was using my article as the basis for his teaching. Mercifully, he didn’t call my name, but the others in my group were familiar with my piece.

            In the months that followed when the words stopped flowing and the joy of writing ceased, it was easy to assume that God took this ability from me.  Several years later confusion reigned as God seemed to be encouraging me to once again write. What? I can’t do that! Who am I to ever think I could write? But no matter the objection, the prodding couldn’t be ignored. One morning while seeking answers through prayer aided with the book, “Prayer Changes Things”, a realization broke through that the writing stopped soon after the pronouncement of what I’d never do and the pain experienced at the writer’s conference. Those tender dreams of writing could not stand up to the scathing destructive comments. The depiction of the story in Mark 3 of the man stretching forth his withered hand and Jesus healing him, gave me that final understanding needed to move forward. Just as the man’s hand was withered, so was my spirit—withered, but never broken, I declared. Just as Jesus healed the man’s hand, through this understanding He healed my heart. With work, His help, and the resolution to move forward, I once again experienced the joy of putting words to paper.

            Thought:  Perhaps as we scramble to figure out the future, the best place to start looking is under the negative debris hiding those long-lost hopes and dreams. Might we find there a gift from God so freely given but so easily lost.

         

Prayer for the Reader

            Oh Lord, give me the courage to dream again. Show me how to resurrect those hopes, dreams and gifts that You gave to me but have been crushed by possibly well-meaning but misplaced discouragement. Help me to rise to do those things You put me here to do, and be willing to put forth the effort to complete the task. Thank you, Lord for loving me and for being willing to make this journey with me. In Jesus Name, Amen

                                                                    

                                       






Comments

  1. CyndieJuly 24, 2020 at 8:30 AM

    Thank you so much for your encouraging blog post. I had a similar experience in my life.

    As a young child I was told I could not sing, and was not allowed to join the church choir. I think it was about second grade. So I grew up thinking I could not sing, and of course did not try.

    Many, many years later, when I was studying music at the local community college, I was called upon to join the choir. It was a requirement for composition students to participate in a performance class. There was no wind ensemble that semester, so my only choice was choir.

    I told my professor I could not sing. And she said, hogwash, I haven't met anyone in my musical career that could not sing. You can do it! And guess what? I did sing! Turns out I sang very well, and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was the most satisfying experience of my life to sing in the chorus that semester and perform.

    So, thank you for your encouragement and prayer. It will help me remember to not lose my dreams and to remember Christ who strengthens me.

    ReplyDelete

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