I write because…..
As I sat pondering why I write, it suddenly became a good question to ask!
Why do I write?
I remember about 28 years ago writing a poignant story of my childhood and how this fragile, insecure young girl grew up to find happiness, to be blessed with marriage and to rejoice over the birth of her first child. With trembling at being criticized, I sent this heartfelt piece of writing to a friend. Nervously and with anticipation, I waited for her reply to come.
And I waited.
And I waited.
Eventually, I wrote to her and bravely asked her what she thought of it.
Her reply came, “I’m sorry I haven’t had time to read it!”
It wasn’t a particularly long piece. It meant a huge amount to me. I had borne my soul and revealed my nervous writing. I was, after all, only 23. She didn’t have time to read what I wrote.
I was so very disappointed.
So much for her as a friend!
She never did read it.
I sent it into a magazine, but it never got published.
Bummer.
I didn’t really write much after that.
In my sojourn through radio, I needed to write more and more – sometimes formally, as for news bulletins. Other times technically, as with health articles. Then there were advertising campaigns that I wrote and promotional material. I found myself writing for all sorts of reasons. I wrote scripts for radio and endless formal emails. Crafting sentences out of unique and varying words and phrases became entertainment for me.
Some of my stuff was excellent and effective.
I found myself writing, but not quite confident to call myself a writer.
Then one day I was driving over picturesque Boyes Drive in Cape Town.
As I drove, a voice in my head said, ‘do you think God can speak to you every single day?’ My answer was “Of course He can.” The reply came, “Try it. Write down what He says every single day.”
And so for the next year, I allocated time for writing down what I felt God was saying to me. I would read my Bible and wait for a verse to jump out at me and when it did, I wrote about it. My writing became more spiritual. I used those short devotions on radio, on Facebook and sometimes right here on the blog. In fact, years later, when I paged through those books and read what I wrote, I was amazed. God spoke to me every single day and what He said was profound. His Word is profound. It speaks regardless of how many times you have read it. It reassures, reaffirms, rebukes, rejoices, reminds and reiterates the right way to live.
And so often now, while I’m no longer writing daily what I feel God is saying to me, I do find myself writing to reassure, reaffirm, rebuke, rejoice, remind and reiterate what has happening in my life. We are so quick to forget what has happened.
I write as a reminder.
It reminds me of what has gone before. It reminds me of how far I have come. I am no longer afraid of sharing my writing. Most of all, it reminds me of God’s faithfulness. He uses our unique individual gifts for our pleasure and His glory.
I have many failings. I have many weaknesses. I am deeply flawed. Yes, sometimes my confidence and self-esteem takes a blow. People hurt me. I feel saddened and unloved, BUT GOD is faithful. Nothing happens without His presence, His permission and His purpose.
And so I write.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
To God be the Glory.
Don’t give up.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂