I try to use a few words as possible. For years, I wrote minutes and newsletters for physicians. They were drowning in words. I knew that short was my best chance.
When God first called me to put spiritual thoughts on paper for others, I wrote short devotionals. The bigger the thought and the fewer the words, the happier I was. I found my niche.
One day on my way to work, God dropped a big idea in my head. I can show you the intersection where the concept started. By the time I got to the interstate highway, I had the whole outline. Another devotional series, I thought.
It didn’t fit the format.
Different morning, same roadway, another new thought:
It’s a book.
I don’t do books, I reminded God.
You do now.
So I signed up for a writers conference, read the instructions, developed a proposal. And learned how much I didn’t know.
Since then, I have been taking baby steps towards the books (now plural). Those steps included writing (and leading) Bible studies, blogging and developing this website.
I’m still a writer of few words. Most authors struggle to trim their manuscripts. I struggle to string a chapter together. If you need a critique partner who can shrink your word count, I’m your gal.
I am honored that God considers me worthy of his inspiration.
This book has been “in process” in your mind (and on your computer!) for a long time. I am looking forward to the day it is published. You have such a beautiful “intimate” relationship with Jesus, and I am confident your book will inspire many to seek that kind of relationship in their lives.
Hi Shirlee,
I think the Lord led me to you—-I am not sure why or what He is up to, but I am following His lead.
It may be He wants me to join Compel. I keep encouraging my sister, but today I felt like God was trying to knock me on my head. My word of the year IS “create,” and I have been questioning that.
So hello friend!
Vicki
God nudged me to join COMPEL years ago. I’ve learned lots about writing, along with humility and the discipline of obedience. I enjoy being part of a wide circle of like-minded writers. Lay your plan to join at the foot of God’s throne and listen for his yes, no or not now. May God bless your creative year, Victoria.
Hi Shirlee,
I also think the Lord led me to you … and to Compel PRO … and I think Victoria (above) and I are in the same camp so-to-speak.
I just read your Jan 7 devotional in Proverbs 31’s “Encouragement For Today”. I LOVE that passage about Hezekiah, and refer to it often in my Bible and my mind. I also LOVE the visual of Hezekiah laying out that letter before Lord. I actually do that often at work … not a tangible letter per se … but when I’m buried and discouraged, I sit down in the bathroom stall and use each tile on the floor to mentally place all the junk I have to decide and resolve. I pray “Lord, this is what I’ve got … there’s this (and I mentally put it on a tile), and that (another tile), and this (another tile) … help me to know what to do and how to prioritize … ”
And He leads me.
I’m a Corporate Communications professional by day … and laptop with a voice by night, with 3 Christian books and Bible Studies that have been swirling in my head now for a couple of years. It is time. I feel the Lord leading me to sign-up for Compel PRO tonight!
And by the way, I chuckled when I read how you collected the college flyers and catalogs in a cardboard box … I did the same thing back in the late 1970’s! Old school!
And I too had a Christian college roommate sophomore year, who changed my life (though I wouldn’t actually become a Christian until I was 32) … and I had an English professor freshman year who changed my major and my career path.
To look back on the Hand of God leading me even then is very emotionally overwhelming … God is soooo good!
Thank you, and thank God for you being on my computer screen this morning!
Blessings!
~ Suzanne
We’re old-school kindred spirits, Suzanne. I too put things at Jesus’ feet, but never tile by tile. Write on, my friend. Get those books out of your head and into a file.