Monday Motivation - Shaken?

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

(Psalms 46:1-3, KJV)

 These verses struck me as I read them this morning. Most of the people I know have never experienced a major earthquake or tidal wave, but there are still things in life which can rock us to the core.  One day our loved ones are healthy and the next day they’re in the hospital. Accidents, illness, surgery and death can seem to shake our foundations.

When those we love pull away and stop communicating, sometimes for no apparent reason, we feel bereft. Family members say hurtful things which you never expected. These things fuel emotions such as anger and hurt. I struggle with not letting these things turn to bitterness . . . or dealing with them after the bitterness has crept in. Betrayals, unkind words, these are the things which pierce our hearts.

Sometimes we ask, “why?” We wonder when we feel we’ve tried our best to live the right way that these things happen to us, whether physical or emotional. I do know this one thing: Through the storms and earthquakes of life, Jesus is there for His own. He will be our refuge and our strength when we turn to Him!

Book Review: For Such a Time

Some wounds cannot be seen outwardly. Rescued from certain death by SS Kommandant Aric VonSchmidt, Hadassah Benjamin, who hides her Jewish identity with the name of Stella Muller, is apprehensive about becoming his secretary. Aric, weary of war, must manage the transit camp of Thereseinstadt in Czechoslovakia since he is no longer fit for combat.

Hadassah finds a strange mix of compassion and duty in the Kommandant. She appeals to his kindness on behalf of her people in the camp. Yet since she was forced into her position, her influence has limitations. She must stand by and watch many of them become destined for Auschwitz.

While there are some inmates who believe that Hadassah is there “for such a time” and will somehow be their rescuer, all hope seems lost and she must choose whether to turn to the God who made her and placed her there for help, sacrificing her own safety.

For Such a Time is an unlikely, tender love story, but more than that, it is an unique retelling of the story of Esther. Kate Breslin does an amazing job setting the story in the 20^th century. Much like Haman, Adolf Hitler and his followers singled out the Jews for ultimate destruction, forgetting the God of Israel is a force to be reckoned with. This World War II setting in a detainment camp is a fitting, parallel backdrop.

Breslin’s characters live on the pages, touching heart and soul. We can watch Hadassah having to make choices we’re thankful we're not faced with and feel for her in her circumstances. Though an SS Kommandant, Aric has deep hurts and is disillusioned about the glory of war, yet he is trapped. Both of them must face the truth, the lies and the consequences of choices made.

More than a wonderful debut novel, For Such a Time, is a beautiful tale of love and heartache during a desperate time in our world. You won’t want to put this one down.

My kitty, Lilybits, who often helps with the book reviews, is under the weather this week. She’ll tell you more about that next week. She did want me to share that she is glad there were no kitties in this book, since it was set in such a dreadful, dangerous place, but said it's an important story to tell. She gives For Such a Time four paws up!

May Saturday Spiritual Uplift - Ants in the Pantry!

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Eph. 6:13-18, NLT)

Something moved. I saw it from the corner of my eye. For a moment I excused it as a shadow, but I had a hunch it was more than that. After I had pulled a couple of napkins from their basket in the pantry I stopped and lifted it—and screamed. Jointed black dots on a hodgepodge of legs scrambled from the disturbance and the light—ants. I soon discovered they were actually foraging the honey, which had dripped onto the shelf in a couple of spots. One of those sticky places I had inadvertently overlooked.

I pulled everything off that shelf and the next. Soon my countertops were covered with bags and boxes from rice to cereal, canned goods, crackers and more. What a mess! I peeled fairly new paper off the shelves. I wiped down anything remotely sticky, tossed out anything that hadn’t been sealed properly and was sweet. I bagged up the remains and waited.

We had squashed as many ants as we could catch, but still, some hid in the crevices. I had scrubbed the shelves clean, and each evening a few less ants returned. After a few days of enduring messy counter tops, I was able to place clean shelf paper and rearrange the cupboards, returning the contents. Every evening I was on ant patrol. Each day I found less of them and eventually I sprinkled cayenne pepper on the shelves to keep them away, which seemed to help.

Me. Against. The ants. Though I have a bigger brain and more brawn, the ants had been a formidable foe, an irritation to overcome in their relentless pursuit of honey. Even the Lord told us in Proverbs 6:6: Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
 Learn from their ways and become wise!

We have a greater foe in the spiritual realm, an invisible foe: A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:10-12, NLT)

Yet God is so much greater than the devil and his army. We have an infinite resource in in the Holy Spirit. He battles on our behalf in ways we can’t even fathom. Invisible ways. Sometimes, when our prayers our answered, the veil is peeled back and we see the victory that Jesus has won. Perhaps someone we’ve been praying for many years comes back to the faith or newly finds it, loved ones are freed from the grip of deceit or addiction, marriages are restored; we ourselves, have our eyes opened anew to truth. Perhaps the Lord gives us supernatural grace to endure something in a way we didn’t think possible. Whatever it may be, we have a glimpse of victories in a holy, invisible realm. How much more haven't we seen of the Lord Jesus, commander-in-chief of His own army, winning on our behalf?

Don’t give up hope or quit the battle. The Lord’s power is so much greater than
the accuser of the brethren, infinitely more so than my power over the ants,
for which I am very thankful.

Lord, please help us to put on Your armor each day, to remember that Your power is beyond all others and to know that You are always with us, fighting our battles. Help us to rest in You. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Saturday Spiritual Uplift - If There Were No Resurrection?

And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.  In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. (1 Cor. 15:16-20)

When we were children, we had to take some things on faith. When Mom and Dad left you with a babysitter, but promised to return, we knew they were coming back (unless you had some tragic circumstances in your childhood).  When Mom told me to eat my vegetables, because they were good for me—besides, I wouldn’t get dessert unless I ate them—I choked down my mushy peas. When Dad said he’d hold onto me in the pool and that I would be okay, I had to learn to trust him until I could stand up in the water or swim on my own. We had to take a lot of things by faith when we were children and it was easier then to have childlike faith.

So many people question the greatest miracle of all time—the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Yet there were plenty of eyewitnesses. And Jesus showed others he could raise people back to life before his death by bringing back Lazarus and others. Those that question are more willing to believe that planets formed spontaneously rather than believe they were created with loving order

and that Jesus, the Living Word, who through all things were created, actually made them. Which takes more faith?

The apostle Paul says we are “more to be pitied” than anyone in the world if Jesus hasn’t been raised from the dead.  For if Jesus has no power over death, how can he wash away our sins and forgive us, giving us new spiritual life? Jesus said that those who didn’t see, but still believed would be blessed. We don’t get to physically see the risen Christ in this world. We have to take it on faith and that faith is a gift from God. If you so willingly question God about whether the resurrection is real, why don’t You ask God to give you the faith instead—faith to see and believe the precious accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection, to trust Him for the forgiveness of sins?

Followers of Christ need not be pitied, for the tomb is empty: He is risen! He is risen indeed! 

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.  (Romans 10:9-10)

Reviewing Rachel

Reviewing Rachel, a Biblical Romance Novel by Jill Eileen Smith

From Kathy: Rachel, Book Number Three in “The Wives of the Patriarchs” series, is a well-researched retelling of the classic biblical account of Jacob, a man who loved Rachel so much, he was willing to work seven years for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately, his own deceit comes back to haunt him as his treacherous father-in-law substitutes Leah, the older and less beautiful sister, for the bride Jacob has long awaited. He is entrapped into working seven more years for his beloved.

Jill Eileen Smith takes this section of scripture and deftly weaves additional drama into the white spaces in this Genesis account. The rivalry between Leah and Rachel begins in their childhood home, echoing what Jacob left behind. Vying for his father’s blessing with Esau had culminated in Jacob’s deception and his life being threatened. Guilt plagues him and he becomes saddled with two wives vying for his love and the right to bear his sons. Yet his heart desires only one.

Smith brings them to life with characters you will care about and remember. They are no longer people who lived long ago you read about in the span of a few pages, but instead a husband, wives, mothers and fathers. They have prized love and family above wealth, struggled to know and understand the one, true God and experienced the frailty of life.

Lily’s two-cents: This was a really good book, except that nobody has a cat. Jacob has lots of sheep, but again, no cats! Also, Rachel and Leah had to share their husband, Jacob. I don’t like to share . . . anything! Mom says she’s glad she doesn’t have to share Dad, but she does share him with me. She says that’s a lot different. Well, okay, I suppose. Anyway, despite those little things I don’t totally understand, Mom and I give Rachel four paws up!

Last week I celebrated my 100^th blog post! Follow or leave a comment or both, each for a chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card. Follow and/or leave your comment by Sunday, April 13^th and leave your email addy in the form of name[at]domain[dot]com to qualify for the drawing.

Saturday Spiritual Uplift (on Sunday!) - What's Following You?

What’s Following You?

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)

The book of Psalms is filled with songs of worship, prayers poured out to the Lord which are filled with emotion. Penned by David, Asaph and others, they record the full spectrum of human emotion. When I’m feeling down and having trouble trusting the Lord, I often turn to this book of the Bible. I read, asking the Lord to speak to me. When I come to a verse that may encourage me to be more grateful, calls me to repentance, assures me of His unfailing love, or something else meaningful, I stop to ponder it, often underlining the most important words.

When everything seems wrong with the present, I can take comfort in the future knowing He has promised I will “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” David also  said, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life . . .” There is the observable, but yet sometimes unseen hand of the Lord working on our behalf. While I may sometimes feel discouraged, I don’t know what tragedy He has prevented in my life. And I have family, especially my precious husband, and friends who God provides along the journey of life. How often do I discount His love, goodness and mercy, taking it all for granted?

Amazing isn’t it that His goodness and mercy follows us always? But do we diligently

follow our Shepherd and stay near to Him each day?

Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to your work in my life. Help me to be thankful for your steadfast love, to not take for granted that your goodness and mercy follow me throughout my life. Amen.

I'm back from vacation! On Monday, Writing, Whimsy and Devotion will return to its regularly scheduled posts. Thanks for your patience. 

Hungry Yet? (Saturday Spiritual Uplift)

When David wrote Psalm 23 I wonder what
he had in mind when he wrote You prepare a feast for me 
in the presence of my enemies. Was an army marching toward him while he was out having a picnic? Was he having a great feast after a battle victory? Or is he talking about the sheep—munching the grass safely while the shepherd fended off the wolf? What does this look like in our world? I realize it’s symbolic, but I wondered about believers suffering in poverty and persecution. Is there a feast available to them?

My conclusion was even in trying circumstances, I have a feast available to me in God’s Word and in talking with Him through prayer. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty . . .” And John describes Jesus as the Word in the beginning of his gospel: 

In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Reading the Bible, times of prayer and fellowship with God nourish the spirit, giving us direction, even if He’s asking us to be still, trust and wait on Him. Read the Psalms and He repeatedly whispers of His unfailing love and care for us. In the work of the Holy Spirit we are led to truth and He helps us in our weakness. Jesus left us a gift of peace: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

The eternal part of us is strengthened and we have hope again, so that we continue to live for Christ, body and soul. Romans 8:35 and 37 says: Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 

Jesus is always with His children and makes spiritual food available to us daily. The question is: Am I hungry enough to partake? Or has my heart at times grown cold and self-sufficient?

Heavenly Father, please keep my heart soft to hear the voice of your Holy Spirit and open to see your work. Help me to be hungry for your Word and wisdom, to be closer to You and more like Jesus.

Saturday Spiritual Uplift

Where Were You, Lord?

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (Heb. 11:1, NLT)

As I was driving to an appointment (and as usual hadn’t left myself enough extra time), I missed my turn. I thought the sign was telling me that the turn was for 12 Mile Road, but that I was still on M-5 North. Unfortunately, the sign was showing me that I needed to turn off of I-96 at that point to take M-5 northward. Instead of being at the medical facility in West Bloomfield, I ended up in Northville, basically in the opposite direction. Once I took the turn around and was eventually back on the right road, I was able to find office building. I was quite late and fully prepared to reschedule and head home, but they were gracious enough to still accommodate me. 

Going home, I hit rush hour traffic and took quite awhile to return. I suppose the whole thing only took me an extra half hour, but the anxiety and stress made my little trip seem worse. I returned safely home and I know the Lord was with me the whole time. He told His disciples He would go with them to the ends of the earth! But He allowed me that little detour. Things didn’t go perfectly even though He was there. If anything, it was simply a consequence of my poor planning.

Every day, believers are going through much more difficult detours in life. Unexpected serious illness takes hold, marriages fail, jobs are lost, wayward children leave families behind and terrible accidents happen. These are the things that test our faith.

When Lazarus had died, his sister, Martha, said to Jesus when he arrived on the scene, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” How honest Martha was with Jesus! And if I’m honest there are many times that I am asking that question. For example, when my husband fell off the roof 15 years ago I wondered why He allowed that to happen. After each of my four miscarriages I wondered why He allowed each baby to die in the womb when each of them were so loved and wanted.

When I ask why, I’m really asking the Lord where He was when that happened, because if He’d been doing what I wanted, those bad things wouldn’t have happened. But get this, it’s what I wanted. I wasn’t asking what He wanted to do in my life through those things at first. That took a while longer.

A little later, when Jesus asked for the stone to be removed from Lazarus’ grave, Martha complained that since her brother had been buried four days before, it would smell pretty awful. Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” Jesus called Lazarus forth from the tomb and Martha had her happy ending regarding Lazarus, right then and there.

For us it isn’t always so immediate. We need to trust even when we don’t have the instant results we want and believe that the Lord is here working on the results He wants to see in our lives. As we come to know Him better and center on His presence more fully, we’ll begin to want what He wants in our lives, which is the best for us.

Father, please teach us to desire You and Your will most of all, to know You are working out your perfect plan, despite how it may look to us today. Please give us the gift of faith that we might trust You more fully. Amen.

Saturday Spiritual Uplift--God's GPS

God's GPS

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

The last place I want to be on a rainy night is a strange road—without streetlights. A couple of weeks ago I was driving east from Chicago back to Michigan on I-94. I waited until I was well out of the city to stop off the highway, thinking it would be easier to find my way back to the expressway.

I had seen a sign for a MacDonald’s, which was usually a decent place to stop. The problem was that once I turned off at that exit, it turned out the fast food place was a couple of miles down the road, so I opted for a little gas station nearby, so I could get back on the highway more quickly. I chose some licorice to munch on thinking the sugar and the chewing would keep me awake until I arrived at a friend’s house for the night.

My GPS was all ready to continue guiding me when I got back in the car. I put it back on the dashboard. There was only one problem. I decided to follow my instincts when it was showing me to take the second ramp onto the highway. After all, the sign for the first turn out proclaimed I-94 going east and I was afraid to miss my turn, so I jumped on. To my dismay, I had turned onto a surface highway, which paralleled the road I wanted. The GPS showed I would connect with I-94 again after several miles, so I thought it best to stay on that road until it did. The thought of turning around and going back and possibly losing my way again seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

The cloud cover blocked the moonlight. I was on a strange road, in the dark and it seemed nearly pitch black! Not only that, but the road was wet and a little slick from the cool evening air. Rain pelted the windshield, making it more difficult to see. I almost hit a curb on a boulevard as a curve in the road seemed to jump at me from nowhere! The exchange that would get me back onto the right wasn’t getting close fast enough. Then I realized, perhaps my high beam headlights would help, so I turned them on. Why hadn’t I thought of that sooner? Eventually I made my way back to the expressway and made it to my destination. But I had to follow the word of my GPS and make sure I was shining enough light on the road.

The writer of Psalm 119 shares that scripture is a lamp to his feet and a light to his path. If I had followed the GPS when first trying to get back onto I-94, I would have not gotten lost. If I’d had more light on the road to begin with I would not have felt so stressed. Often life is like that. When I get off track and don’t look to God’s word, His roadmap for guidance, there are consequences. It doesn’t mean the way will be easy, but if I have the Lord’s wisdom to shine the light on the problem I can rest assure I am going the right way and He’s with me through it. 

Lord, please help us today and every day to cling to your word to guide us

in the right direction. 

SATURDAY SPIRITUAL UPLIFT

Finding Time in His Word

About four years ago, we brought home a tiny gray tabby rescue cat that I named Lilybits. Having shared a home with two-dozen other cats, she was delighted to have the house to herself and starving for attention. She was the perfect remedy for the loneliness I felt in our empty nest.

Lily followed me everywhere like a puppy and she still greets us excitedly at the door when we come home. Most days I was at home with her and we were both quite content with the situation. But when I went back to school full time, Lily wasn’t too happy. At the end of the day, instead of hopping up on my lap, she would jump up on Jack’s lap and turn around to look at me as if to say, “Ha! You’ve been leaving me every day, so now I’m too busy for you.”

Well, yes, I am anthropomorphizing my cat, but don’t we all have moments we read into our pets or even other people’s actions or facial expressions, whose motives we don’t always know or understand? Perhaps I shouldn’t have felt slighted, but my feelings were hurt.

On Fridays, I am usually home and have a chance to play with Lily. She chases a red laser light dot Jack refers to as “redbug”. Or I may chase her while she runs to hide under the bed. But my favorite time is when I am sitting quietly, reading or writing, and Lilybits jumps up onto my lap.

For several months, while I was getting used to working outside the home and came home exhausted, I had been doing quick devotions in the evening. Without time for deeper study of the Bible I really missed hearing the Lord speak to me through His word. I finally decided that even 15 minutes in the Bible with the purpose of listening to what Jesus had for me was better than nothing at all. That first week, on Friday I had some extra time to dig into scripture.

Image of Gutenberg Bible from Wikimedia Commons and is
in the public domain.

As I sat with the Bible and a small notebook on my lap, Lilybits saw fit to make herself at home, curling up and snuggling down into my lap until she fell into a peaceful sleep for quite a long time. I thanked the Lord for the fact that my cat finally noticed me—the one who feeds her, fusses over her, plays with her and usually cleans the litter box. Then it suddenly occurred to me that maybe God, who gave His only Son for me, who cares for me every day and is no farther away than a prayer, probably sometimes feels like I do when Lily ignores me. He would be even happier that I was finally sitting still and spending time with Him. Though I can’t physically climb into his lap, He wants me to rest in Him. The depth of Jesus’ love for me is so much greater than the love I have for my cat or even my children. This definitely put things in perspective.

Was the Lord trying to tell me this all along? With mercy and love He can minister to me through the touch of six pounds of a furry gray creature with big green eyes. When I drive down the road behind our home and see the tree branches budding green I’m compelled at times to thank Him for the beauty of spring and how He keeps the times and seasons in motion. When friends or family members take the time to encourage me, He is reaching out to me through them. Always He is wooing me back.

Jesus is waiting for me. When He seems far away, I am the one who moved. He cannot be moved. He sends gentle nudges until His word calls to me and I know I must take time to be with Him. And again I start to read my Bible expectantly, asking for guidance and praying that I will know in my heart what He has especially for me that day. I don’t know how many times I will fail and have to start over again, but I know my Lord is the one who told the Samaritan woman at the well that He would give her living water which would forever quench her thirst. He has given me that water of eternal life and His Holy Spirit. And He is there for each one of His children—always.

. . . Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 NLT

. . . And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 NLT

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT

Dear Jesus, we thank you that you’ve called us to yourself. We long to draw closer. Please open the eyes and ears of our hearts. Show us in your word what you have for us that we may be more like you and work channels of your love and truth in this fallen world.

SATURDAY SPIRITUAL UPLIFT

On the Road of Life

As I drove to a writer’s conference in Indianapolis last week and followed the directions on my GPS, which I’ve recently named Maxine, my friend’s Siri argued with her. Well, not exactly, but they both gave different directions as we came closer to our destination, which led to lively discussion. Both sets of directions led us to the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis, one perhaps a little quicker than the other and one without as many turns, but essentially had the same outcome.

During several preceding days, the Lord had brought Jer. 29:11 to my attention at least three times, twice in devotional readings and then a friend texted the verse to me, to comfort me through a time of grieving. On top of that, the keynote speaker at the conference, Robin Jones Gunn, talked about how much better God’s plans are for us than the ones we have for ourselves.

I don’t always understand the turns and forks Jesus brings me to in the road of life, which he has laid out for me, but I must learn to trust that His plan is better. It doesn’t mean there won’t be times that are difficult or painful, that the way there will be easy, without detours. However, I have Jesus and His word, the Bible, the best guide of all, for which I am very thankful. Will I trust Him one day at a time that God has my best interest at heart? Will you?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

MONDAY MOTIVATIONS

What is Writing, Whimsy and Devotion?

Simply a blog for readers, writers, people who enjoy literary reviews done by

cats and those who like a spiritual lift on the weekend. Your one stop for literature,

fun and faith!

Monday Motivations: Tips and commiseration for writers who need to get

the SOTP in the chair and get writing again. Whether you are stuck, in

need of inspiration or conquering fear to get your words onto the page,

you will find something here.

Wednesday Whimsy: My cat, Lilybits, will be happy to review books,

interview authors or comment on life--usually mine. Though I do reserve

the right to share my own humorous observations at times.

Saturday Spiritual Lift: Short devotional writing to help you look toward

the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ.

This week's Monday Motivation:

There are times when I’m really into my writing, joy flows through me as I place each word on the page and I can’t wait to sit down and write again. But there are some days I find it difficult to keep my derriere glued to the chair. I’m just sure the laundry pile can’t wait any longer and there are people I should call and the layer of dust on the dresser can be left no longer.

My inner editor is a difficult taskmaster, whispering in one ear that I need to write the perfect words. In the other ear she taunts me that I’ll never be great, followed by a sinister laugh. Okay, so I’ve exaggerated about the sinister laugh, but do you have any idea how many times I’ve already changed the previous sentence?

How do I combat that? By telling myself the truth: there’s no way I can write perfectly and that’s okay. I just need to write something—I can always spend time refining and rewriting later. There have been times I’ve used different books like, A Writer’s Book of Days, to help inspire me with ideas and writing prompts just to get things flowing. And prayer is an important element for the Christian writer. Focusing on the One who gives me strength and ideas takes the pressure off of little old me.

What about you? How do you get motivated and press on with your writing?

Okay, this week’s writing prompt picked from the folded papers in one of my currently unused bone china sugar bowls: Take 5-10 minutes to write about: Fresh-baked bread! Just do it! 

Please leave a comment and let me know if writing prompts such as the

one above help you to get started or if there are writing topics you'd

like to see covered.

When you leave a comment and/or follow my blog, you will be entered in

a drawing for an Amazon gift card! 

Thanks for stopping by!