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I can only say that I am glad this season is closing. My heart’s been troubled by what I see and read by authors who proclaim Christ yet openly welcome sin, crucifying the Saviour over and over. It seems like loving thy neighbor means celebrating sinful lifestyles, removing what is good to make room for what God condemns. Calling it unity. Calling it grace. Calling it...love?
So many misguided souls out there, so many hearts longing for a gospel of their own design, so many minds deceived by the enemy and his devices. He claims not only our souls, but our art, our gifts.
My husband rightly said this the other day: The enemy is laying the groundwork for the universal church.
It’s then that I say, Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Let’s ask ourselves the discerning question of whether God would have anything to do with our cause, with the subject matter of our work, with the people and places we align ourselves with and if He wouldn’t, why would we? If He condemns something, why do we move what's on the table to make room for it?
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Some months ago, I befriended a sweet lady over the internet who during the initial phase in our acquaintance — that delicate period when God may usher us into a new friendship or not—conveyed how much she appreciated my work, how much she valued me.
It’s always a risk, it seems, to pitch ourselves into the throes of contact, to open ourselves up to others we don’t know well enough. But when my friend took that chance, I knew that God would provide a way. Because she was brave enough to reach out, to come alongside me during the media-free challenge I had some time ago, I knew that this was someone I could get to know better, someone who, like me, is challenged and convicted to do for God what He desires of us: to walk in obedience.
When I'm finding that the writing process is as a field of tumbleweed—drained, destitute, abandoned, forgotten, I can remember this:
“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”
Proverbs 25:25
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- We long to be fathered well, despite being fatherless. Not everyone is fathered well but knowing God more than makes up for the void left from a paternal absence.
- The Bible is not only a mirror but a sword. It pierces and breaks through the flesh we so often protect ruthlessly.
- Our frame of reference always needs to be rooted in the word of God, allowing it to renew our mind, without resisting its power.
- When we write with urgency, we realize the passion for what we love.
- One reality that creatives and artists will need to contend with is that our families may not be active participants in our work. While language barriers may create distance, let's remember our testimony speaks beyond words.
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#amwriting
on the blog and beyond
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I received the galleys to a prose poem, "Without Words," that will soon become anthologized. I'm thrilled about this piece prompted by a close reading of a children's book with my daughter.
Also, I polished an essay, "Walking the Fine Line Between Pleasing God or Pleasing Man," to be featured soon on the iBelieve.com website. Be on the lookout for this one.
And Fathom Magazine accepted a short essay,"The Place that Time Forgot," which was inspired by a conversation with my eldest son as I was anxiously awaiting my visit to the DMV.
Also, over at the Burning Bush Press, where I am a co-founder with my husband, we're putting together a new project for the summer. Care to join us? It only requires you to #writein8words. Check it out here.
Also, ICYMI, recent posts from the blog:
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The winner of my book giveaway is Traci Rhoades. She's enjoying her copy of Langston Hughes' The Dream Keeper and other poems. Congratulations Traci!
I learned about a new podcast (I don't recall exactly from whom), Ann Kroeker Writing Coach, and it is a perfect boost for writers. Ann offers some sensible tips that are straight to the point, without excessive commentary.
Speaking of commentary...
If you're interested, the Just Thinking blog, authored by Darrell B. Harrison, is a good choice. So far, he comments on the topics of the day through a Biblical worldview and an exhortation to pursue God's word for all matters of life. Check it out here.
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creativity, art
Instagram
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I'm loving the dressmaking I've been doing this week. Hours of toiling over patterns, instructions, trial and error, seam ripping, measuring, accenting. It was pure joy to see them finished, and to know my daughter can reap the rewards of my work.
I want to recommend, if you're interested in sewing, to look at the life of Shannon over at Thoughts and Thimbles. She is a mother to four little ones and homeschools. She is the quintessential example to me and gave me my first idea back in 2013 to sew my daughter a tunic when she was one year old.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17
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til next time
Vaya con Dios, y adios!
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I'll retreat during the summer to refocus and reconnect with my neighbors, my dear children, my sweet husband, face time with acquaintances, and cycle with my son. Our bikes are prepared for some city slicking and trekking through the urban density of our town. I won't attempt to mention all the other big things we have planned because whenever I do, I can't help but think about: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
I wish you the best summer this year and truly appreciate your prayers as I journey through a new month and a new season. I’m fatigued and I thirst for more of God. I require to get into my prayer closet, shut its door, sit with the Lord at His feet, and praise His name.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had made, and on the labor that I had expended on it: and, behold, all was vanity and like grasping the wind, and there was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11
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