A Humble Return
I have been absent from writing for some time now, as some of you may have noticed. I’ve allowed life to take control of me rather than me taking control of it. I find it’s really easy to make excuses and to justify why I’m not writing. I don’t have time. I’m too tired. I’m too busy. Or, the big one, I don’t have anything worthwhile to write about.
Do you find these things happening to you?
You find ways to concoct the perfect excuse for not doing the things that are important to you. I’m not talking about responsibilities, things you have to do. I’m talking about things that are important to you, things that require you to make time in your life. It’s hard to remember that, just because no one is there verifying you’re getting things done, doesn’t mean those things aren’t important. For me, that’s writing. Nobody is standing over my shoulder making sure I meet a deadline, but writing is important to me. Yet, I don’t make time for it.
I’ve known my husband for almost eight years, and we’ve been married for six and a half of those. Needless to say, in that time, I have heard him preach many sermons. I may be a little biased, but I think he is a great speaker. He’s passionate, lively, confident, and he has the ability to bring things down to a level anyone can understand. I have seen God use him in great ways. But sometimes, before a sermon, his confidence is shaken. It could be because he didn’t have enough time to prepare, he couldn’t come up with the perfect anecdotes to make connections, or things simply didn’t come together like he’d hoped. Whatever it may be, there are times when he goes to preach and he just doesn’t feel like it’s going to have the same impact.
And every time he’s proven wrong.
You see, God doesn’t need my husband to have all the perfect words to say or the best stories to demonstrate the application of a Bible verse. God just needs him to have a willing heart and to listen for what He wants. Because God does not need perfection and eloquent speech in order to do his work.
I started thinking about this the other day, and it was very humbling. Most of you probably don’t know this but I went to school for writing. My bachelor’s degree is in English and my master’s is in English and creative writing. I started college pursuing a degree in elementary education with a concentration in English. I quickly realized that was not the path for me, but I still loved English. I adored the beauty and elegance of the written word.
I spent four and a half years in college courses specifically because I wanted to write, yet I don’t make time for it.
But, I also believe that everything happens for a reason — as part of God’s plan.
Every step I have taken has brought me to this point, to this place where God wanted me to be. So, if I believe everything happens according to God’s plan, then I must also accept that, by not using the platform God has given me, I am stepping away from where He has brought me.
There is a reason writing is important to me, and it’s because God placed it on my heart.
So, I share all that to say this: I’m back.
I may not have something to say every week, but I will have things to say, things to share. And I hope you are as excited as I am.
