This morning, I was reading in my Bible about the sacrifices and offerings the priests had to perform in Leviticus. Those priests had to be constantly offering sacrifices and offerings to God. Either for Expiation (to remove their sin guilt) or for Propitiation (to ask for God’s blessings). Then I thought of how God made the final sacrifice and offering for my sins.
In the Old Testament I read that the burnt offerings were an aroma pleasing to the Lord. I wonder: are my words, actions, and thoughts I offer to the Lord and to those around me, an aroma pleasing to the Lord?
Just the other day I had car trouble and when talking to some friends on a zoom call I expressed heated frustration. The ladies started to chuckle and told me, “Janet, you need to go back and start reading some of your own devotionals you’ve written to recapture your peace.”
How true. I’m sure my aromas of complaint were not pleasing to the Lord. At the same time, I am grateful God meets us where we are at and helps us go the way he directs. I Chronicles 16:11 (NIV) reminds me to “Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always.” Something I need to remember.
It’s mid-February in Pittsburgh and we just got six inches of snow last night. When I took the birdfeeder out, I had to kick a path to the shepherd’s crook in order to hang the birdfeeder. Since then, a multitude of birds have come to eat: cardinals, black-capped chickadees, tufted-titmice, red-headed finches, house wrens, juncos, a red-bellied woodpecker, a blue jay, mourning dove, a downy woodpecker, sparrows, and white-breasted nuthatches.
At first the birds had to knock off the snow to perch nearby. Some of the smaller birds practically disappear in the snow, their dark heads all that is visible. Oh, oh, a grackle just appeared. Now the yellow finches have arrived. Some of the birds flit and peck then fly away while others like to graze a while.
As dark clouds hover to the west where our weather usually comes from, the birds continue to come and eat. I’ve finished my breakfast and bible study. It’s quiet with my husband outside shoveling snow. I love this time, when the harsh reality of life, like the stark leaf-less trees in the park around my house are covered with a soft blanket of pure white snow. To me, it feels like God’s cottony blanket of protection surrounds me and my world.
As I drink the last of my coffee, I realize I need to get up and ready for whatever the day brings. But I’m thankful for the beauty of this morning’s winter wonder land.
It’s been a long time since I’ve sat down and posted anything. This blue jay looks like he’s been waiting for me for a long time. Here’s why: The end of July- July 29th to be exact- my world came crashing down. Literally. Leaving a party with friends, I slipped on a step and broke all the bones in my left ankle, as well as fractured my tibia and fibula. Talk about pain! Two surgeries later, and a week in the hospital left me living between pain pills, sleep and times to use the bathroom. The month of August was a blur. Friends helped my husband by bringing food since I was mostly bedridden.
“Oh, now you can spend your time reading and working on your novel. ”
Nope.
The first month my brain and body was focused on healing. In September, I could move around more. I watched TV and the birds at my birdfeeder.
By the end of September, I felt like my brain and my body was swimming to the surface after living in the depths of a murky sea. I pictured God reaching down to me and pulling me to the surface.
In October I could finally THINK and WRITE. I started small- reading novels and writing book reviews. By the end of October, along with physical therapy I started back writing my excerpts for my Observations at the Birdfeeder, then rewriting chapters for my novel, Jonathan’s Winter in my historical Family saga.
Now it is November 10th and I’m finally sitting down to write this blog. I’ve also been able to take care of the birdfeeder myself. The last three months the birds have faced times when the feeder is full and when it is empty. Feast or famine. Just like my writing times. I’ve been writing in spurts. But that’s alright, I think.
I hope everyone had a great summer and fall. My husband took me for rides in the park when I couldn’t go hiking in the park. The trees and leaves were brilliant crimson, and orange. Balm for the soul.
What have you been doing lately? How do you relate to living life in spurts? If you are a creative, how do you fit your projects into your life?
Sometimes you need to see the bigger picture and savor quiet moments.
I’d just finished breakfast and was sipping coffee when I spied a mourning dove perched on the hook holding the birdfeeder. A wave of thankfulness at its appearance swept over my soul, bringing unexpected tears to my eyes. “Hi friend,” my heart seemed to say.
Having just returned from a writer’s conference with its early hours, (I’m NOT an early morning person and it’s 10 am now as I write this), walking to and from classes and buildings, I relished these moments of familiarity and simplicity. Fuel for my soul.
It’s a cloudy day and rain is forecast. I have a busy day ahead of me, grocery shopping and helping a friend. But this moment alone, is for me and God. May he refresh my soul and guide me through the day. I pray I can see and cherish simple moments like these.
What refreshes your soul? Do you recognize those quiet moments when they happen?
We’d had some gray and windy days, but nothing prepared me for the sight awaiting me one morning. As I began my breakfast, I saw my birdfeeder was missing 4 of the 6 perches at the openings. They lay scattered on the ground and the birdfeeder was empty! One perch had been pecked off before, but not 4. In addition, the bottom was tilting, as if it would fall off.
I looked at the ground. Where were the piles of birdseeds that would have poured out? Nothing. Since we’d gotten a new, higher fence it didn’t seem likely deer would have jumped over this nine-foot one. The gates were secure as well. What had happened?
I went outside to look. As I walked around the yard I saw patches of feathers lying in clumps in the grass. A small cluster of gray and white feathers banded together lay near the birdfeeder, a few scattered feathers were farther along, then a large group of feathers were midway in the yard.
I had never heard a sound. It must have happened during the night. Whatever it was, it was sudden. And the birds must have either fought something bigger than themselves or not known what was coming until it was too late.
The sudden disappearance and wreckage at the birdfeeder shows how abruptly life can change in an instant. Itmade me think of what scriptures says about Christ’s return. We will be caught unaware as well. Matthew 24:42-44 says, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Mark 13:32-33 says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”
Prayer: Dear God, may our hearts and minds rest in you, dear Jesus, to grow in love and understanding of your word so that we are ready when you come again. Amen.
The almost empty birdfeeder right outside my dining room window reminds me of myself. Like it, I’m in need of filling too, with daily sustenance, physically and spiritually.
When I read scriptures or do a Bible study as I am right now, on “The Discipline of Grace” by Jerry Bridges, I’m reminded of one truth or should I say, one fear I have. What I’ve read needs to be remembered and acted upon, yet I’m afraid.
Afraid I will take it in, then as the days and weeks go by, I’ll forget or let my life resume its usual path.
And why would that be bad you ask?
Well, it would mean I’ve forgotten what I’ve learned, what in essence, has humbled me. I grip my hands, the reassuring taste of my last gulp of coffee reminding me or my past experience and close my eyes in prayer.
Dear God, please don’t let your words, your wisdom, your teachings fall by the wayside like in the parable of the seeds. May your wisdom NOT be choked out or crowded out by the thorns of everyday concerns or get trampled on the stoney path of reality. Create a new and clean spirit within me, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
It’s day 2 of howling winds and frigid temperatures. In fact, it’s Christmas Day here in Pittsburgh, PA. A day of giving as we share our joy in the greatest gift of all- JESUS.
Outside at the birdfeeder birds are feasting on fallen seed and seeds still the feeder. I left it out overnight (my gift to the birds) and expected it would be empty this morning. It wasn’t. Instead, I saw a myriad of birds joisting for the seeds on the ground and in the feeder. Along with Juncos, house sparrows and black capped chickadees, there were tufted titmice and cardinals. Later a red-bellied woodpecker visited for a meal.
I’m not sure if it was the temperature or the wind, but the birds seemed feisty to me. I know they need to eat more for fuel when it’s cold outside, but what I saw was amazing. Usually, smaller birds give way to larger birds around the birdfeeder. Not today.
As I ate my own breakfast, fuel for my start to the day, I saw a house sparrow face-off with a female cardinal. Later another house sparrow (or maybe the same one) went head-to-head with a male cardinal. Not to be outdone, a few moments later two male cardinals faced-off. This time in the air. I wish I could have captured that moment with my camera. They seemed to be vying for territory and access to food.
It reminded me of how we as people get- fighting for territory, for food, for survival. For the birds right now, they need food to survive the howling winds and frigid temperatures.
I wonder what our excuse is. The Bible says there will be wars and rumors of wars before Christ returns. With the fighting in Ukraine, the threat of war looms around us.
Gazing outside, I renew my prayer for God to surround us with this peace and love. May we know God walks with us through the howling winds of war and want. May we walk secure, knowing we can face the future with God by our side.Merry Christmas everyone.
Yesterday, as I sat warm and snug in my great room watching television, I could hear the winds howling around the hills in my back yard. I looked over at our electric fireplace adding heat to offset the winds and frigid temperatures outside and snuggled into a blanket around me.
I write historical fiction and my latest book, Helena’s Autumn deals with life of the early settlers in the frontiers of Massachusetts’ colony. At times like these, I wonder just how the settlers dealt with the weather. They must have been so hardy. In Mary’s Captivity, my recent novella, I just finished writing, Mary Foster is taken captive by Mohawk and lives with them for a year in various villages and long houses. She braves harsh winter weather as well. The more I research and the more I write about people in those time periods, the more my admiration for their hardiness grows.
I’m so thankful for our modern conveniences and the blessing we have. What are you thankful for?
I got a wonderful Christmas gift this year. I signed a new contract with Heart Song Literary Agency! My agent Patricia Riddle-Gaddis is the owner of the agency as well. I also received my formatted manuscript and the news we will discuss publishers in the New Year!
This Season we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, the greatest gift of all. IN addition, I’m thankful for my family and friends.
The month of December is busy with preparations, and events around the holiday season. Shopping, decorating, visiting, baking and more. It is filled with emotion.
I have fantastic memories of the holidays as a child. I look forward to the holiday season because of it. But what if you don’t have good memories? Or aren’t able to celebrate with loved ones?
We endured the separation caused by the Covid Pandemic. Many of us have endured sickness and loss as well. But today my focus is not on recent past events, but further back in time.
In my historical novella, Mary’s Captivity my main character Mary Foster has been captured by Mohawks during the American Revolution. She spends her Christmas in captivity remembering past Christmases and praying. When her captor and new husband gives her gifts on that day, she is touched by his kindness but still has trouble forgiving him for the attack and her subsequent capture.
Christmas is not just about giving, but about remembering and showing Christ’s love to others. Even if, as Mary learns, one must forgive first. My prayer for everyone this holiday season is that we remember the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus, our Emmanuel, Savior of mankind. With a gift like that surely, we can open our hearts and forgive others, sharing God’s love despite the hectic noise of holiday preparations.
In my work in progress, Helena’s Autumn, my main character, Helena Trevellian, must learn patience as the Revolutionary War continues and she waits for her husband to come home. She realizes that she isn’t a very patient person.
This summer I have kept busy editing my manuscript for my editor. I found I’m not a very patient person either. As I was finishing the edits, I asked my agent when she wanted me to send the revised ms back. She said, in a few weeks. It made me laugh. Just like Helena, I need to sit and wait.
While I waited, I revised and submitted a creative nonfiction story- An Unexpected Angel to Agape Review, a Christian Online Journal. It was published mid-August. (https://agapereview.com/2022/08/14/anunexpectedangel-2/) So just like Helena, I am keeping busy while I wait. She deals with her regular housewife roles and the added work of protecting the farm from deserting British Dragoons and fending off Mohawk and Loyalist raiders. It’s also up to her to do the hunting, fishing and gardening to provide for her and her friend. As the months progress, she learns compassion as she tends to her ill friend. She doesn’t like all the work but learns she is stronger than she thinks.
What do you do when you find you have to sit and wait before you can do something? Please share your thoughts in the Comment Section below.
Sometimes you need a break from your other writing. I’ve been buried in the past with my MC Jonathan’s exploits in London in first WIP and occupied with Covid statistics in my other WIP so this has been a welcome change. This morning I asked my friends if I should take a walk in our park and then write or just write. The walk won. Along with this picture my imagination took me into another world as you will read below.
The Fairies of Boyce Park feasted this past week
on honeysuckle oh so sweet.
They danced, they twirled, they sang, unfurled
their wings a light with beauty,
as they held a First of Summer Dance.
You might not always see them
for they like to hide away
they disappear as moonlight fades
until another day.
So take a look around you, you may not realize
the broken petals, discarded cups are all that’s left behind.
I have a twin sister. We’ve always been competitive, yet in each other’s corner whenever needed. I stuck up for her when she was bullied, she encouraged and helped me when I was wondering what career path to take. Early on we both seemed to realize we could compliment each other in what we did and liked to do. We chose different paths – in school I was the studious one, she was the social butterfly.
In college we went to different universities, had different majors and even chose life partners (our husbands) who are totally different. Yet our bond remains strong. You are probably wondering how this relates to making Writing Connections. I’m getting to that.
My twin always encouraged me when I continued on to get my PhD in English Composition and TESOL. She encouraged me when I was given leadership positions within local Three Rivers TESOL and International TESOL. She encouraged me whenever I had articles and chapters published in journals in my field. Now it is my turn.
I am so proud of my twin- Janyce Brawn, artist, author and very creative woman in her own right. It is my turn to encourage her, by helping her make Writing Connections. My advertising and marketing experience as a freelance writer and newspaper editor are coming to the fore (I hope.). Go Janyce, You go girl! I want to shout. She has just published her first book in the Tales of the Teleporting Topsider Series- David and the Drainosaurs.
My granddaughter is enjoying her Aunt Janyce Brawn’s new book!
Why should a person be like a sparrow? Have you ever watched one? This past winter I erected a birdfeeder outside my great room window. As I sit at my table eating breakfast or lunch I watch the myriad of birds that come to the feeder. The fluttering black capped chickadee, the flitting tufted titmouse, the curious but cautious cardinals, the grouchy blue jays, the pairs of yellow finches and mourning dove and the persistent sparrows all visit. The most common visitor is the songbird sparrow, diligently searching the feeder or the ground, day in and day out, for sustenance.
Today it hit me. Well not exactly hit, but, you know what I mean. We should be like sparrows in our search for goodness in others, in our search for deeper faith, and for seeking what we need to sustain us.
Search God’s Word, search your heart, search your mind. Let Him speak to you in the windy days, in the rainy days, in the cold and harrowing experiences in life, and let God be your sustenance, in essence be diligent and persistent. Be like the Sparrow.
I recently was walking in the park and took a picture of a tree that I was calling a pterodactyl tree because, well because it just reminded me of one with the pointy head. Well, I was so surprised, charmed, amused and enlightened to read what others thought it looked like. Dragons, eagles, flying Griffiths, Jesus’ crown of thorns, Pi, and the letter H were some of the answers. All different from what I had thought.
This got me to thinking. If one visual image evokes so many different responses, it’s no wonder people see and think differently on so many issues we face today. How then do we find common ground on issues like wearing asks, re-opening schools? These are the hot issues right now and there are many different responses. What do you think? Please post your ideas below.
This summer I had a chance to speak at my church on the topic of facing detours. I was also blessed to be able to talk about my devotional book- Observations at the Bird Feeder. i’ve even been able to go to 3 events to sell that book. But as I look back at my summer I noticed that I have had a few more detours.
As I noted in my talk, when you face detours try to learn what you need to as you go through these trying times.
I started out writing fiction when I was 13. At 70 I found I was now well equipped to write my devotional book. As a newspaper reporter, photographer and editor I learned to write to a deadline, be observant and take photos. When I went from my doctorate, I learned how to research. I used all of these skills for writing my book. You never know what lies ahead or why you go through detours. But God does.
The day I was taking my husband to have a medical procedure. I found out that my agent had passed away. The last we had talked, she had said that she had sent my manuscript for a historical fiction book proposal to a publishing house. Now it seemed I would have to start all over. More time wasted. Or maybe not.
God’s time is not my time so when I found out the name and contact person of the publishing house, I emailed them. They were glad to accept my book proposal and novel. So now I’ll wait and see what happens next. In the meantime, I’ll try to figure out what I’m supposed to learn next.
May and June are busy months for me. I have two conferences to go to and hopefully share my book- Observations at the Bird Feeder.I want to take advantage of the time I have there to share the fact that I have found in my life, that God does walk with you in times of pain, problems, as well as in times of joy. It’s not easy but there can be a sweet joy that you find in your struggles as you go to God with your cares. I remember as a young married woman the times I was alone as my husband struggles with health issues. I would seek the Lord in my Bible readings, in song and in prayer. I imagined myself climbing up into God’s lap and resting there, just as a child climbs up into an adult’s lap and rests. I also envisioned him reaching down to my outstretched hand.
It was a very painful, lonely time, but there was a sweetness to my relationship with God that I still remember fifty years later. Did I say 50? Yes, I did. There have been other times since then when I have pictured myself crawling into God’s lap for comfort and peace. He is always there.
When I started creating my book- Observations at the Bird Feeder, I enjoyed that sweet communion as I watched the birds, thought of their actions and how they reminded me of how I act and then sought what God had to say about those actions.
What stories do you have to tell about how God has walked with you in times of struggle or times of joy? I’d love to hear from you. Please share below.
Great news! The end of February my book, Observations at the Bird Feeder was published by Year of the Book Press on Amazon.com and IngramSpark.com. As March began, I started a whirlwind of research on ways to market my book. I have joined a lot of writing groups on Facebook, posted reels, stories, pictures and more on my three Facebook pages, Instagram and Threads. I have updated this website’s bookstore, created author pages on Goodreads, Book Bub, Amazon and IngramSpark. It has taken me hours to figure out how to do many things I’m sure younger and knowledgeable writers can figure out faster. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. I am navigating the perils of print on demand with shops and local businesses, hoping a few brave souls will sign up to sell my books in their stores. I have been blessed with loyal family and a cadre of friends willing to support me by buying the book as well. I’m finding one must be thick skinned and believe in your work enough to speak up and promote it to strangers. It isn’t always easy. Does anyone have any ideas on how to push past, or deal with the no’s one gets along the way?
What an honor to be invited to share my backstory. Please visit her site. She interviews many writers of different genres. I hope to include these in my blog in the future. But for now… marketing. You would be surprised how much writing is involved in marketing. Wirting bios, promotional blurbs, queries, sell sheets and more. I am hoping to be able to talk to church groups as well as people at the events I have scheduled this summer. It will keep me busy, that’s for sure. Here is my schedule of events, incase you’d like to catch me at one of them.
In Mid-May I am hoping to participate in a BookCrawl in Pittsburgh. Details still need to be worked out. May 16-18 I will be promoting my books and giving a presentation on Word Choices, at the Pennwriter’s Conference in Pittsburgh, PA.
June 17-22 I will be at the St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference in Meadville PA to speak about Writing my Story and God’s Glory (about my writing journey) as well as reading from my Devotional book Observations at the Bird Feeder at the Literary Coffee House. I’ll also have books on hand for interested people.
August 16th I will take my books to a Heritage Festival in Westerville, Ohio. . The weekend after that I will be doing a talk about my writing and having a book signing at the Carpenter Log house in Plum Borough, PA.
The first weekend in October I will be presenting two talks at the Pennwriter’s Area 1 RoadTrip in Erie, PA. My books will be available there as well.
I hope I will see you at one of the events. Feel free to check out my book, there is a link in my bookstore. The Amazon link is: https://a.co/d/0uVwo08
I’ve been bullied and I know what it is like to be left out of being invited to a birthday party. It happened in second grade. At the end the girl’s mother made sure she included my twin sister and I to the girl’s birthday party. Even then though, the girl snubbed us. I think she was jealous that my twin sister and I were different- we were TWINS!This book my twin sister wrote really resonated with me. If you have young children this is a good fun book to read together or to let them read on their own.
Hippo Hullabaloo by Janyce Brawn My rating: 5 of 5 stars Calling all young readers! This book is a fun read of rhymes that teach children that it is better to be kind and considerate of others. It gives a child’s eye view on what others feel when they are left out and or bullied. There is a glossary of words and really cool facts about hippopotamuses. The picture book had vibrant color and the coloring book allows young readers to be creative and add their own ideas of what everything should be colored. A must buy for parents of young readers.
A Jewish friend of mine recently posted about Hannukah and the importance the holiday has, regarding light. There are nine candles to light, one for each night of the celebration. the ninth candle is the helper candle, used to light the other ones.
This past Saturday was the Winter Solstice the shortest daylight time of the year. A time when darkness reigns and has its peak. Many people fear the dark.
In contrast to darkness, light symbolizes many things for different people. In the Christian faith we are reminded to shine our light of faith in Jesus so that the world may see and have the opportunity to choose to walk in Christ’s light- his gift of salvation to all who believe in him. We are told not to hide our light under a bushel but to let it shine so that others may see our good deeds, our faith and glorify our Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:14-16)
At church one of the most memorable things we do toward the end of our service is to receive light from one person (it reminds me of the Jewish helper candle) and pass the light on to others standing next to us. The electric lights go out and we are suffused with candlelight spread all around the church. This passing of candlelight is a symbolic reminder that each of us should shine our light, our faith, so that others may see it and receive it as well.
My prayer this holiday season is that we would all do just that- not hide our light but live as light to others around us. May we each shine bright with the light of our faith this holiday season and every day throughout the year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
On my Facebook author’s page, I have been writing about my Christmas memories. I decided to share one with you. When I was a teenager, I was permitted to join my mother’s other women relatives in making homemade Christmas ornaments to exchange with the other women. With quite a few creative and artistic women in the family it was a joy to receive these ornaments. I am posting a few below. One poignant memory is the last summer before my mother got sick with brain cancer. She and I made corn husk doll ornaments. As you can see in one of the pictures, I still have them, 36 years later. I cherish the memories each year I add them to my tree. Please share one of your cherished Christmas Memories.
Bang! From the sound of it, a big bird had to have hit the window by the bird feeder. The sudden raucous squabbling by the side yard made me run to the window. I was just in time to see two blue jays and another gray and brown bird fly off across the street to the woods. I couldn’t tell if the larger bird had gotten a blue jay, but I did see two blue jays perch high on branches of a bare tree. The other bird had disappeared. Shrugging, I returned to eat my breakfast and look outside at the bird feeders.
For a good ten minutes or so, no bird appeared. They must have been scared off. The birds must have gone into hiding. That made me think of how sudden loud sounds, or actions can startle or scare me. I realized that I hesitate and want to stay away from others when I am upset by what happens around me. Recent election results had that effect on me. I wanted to pull back and not think about all that had happened.
As I finished eating, the intrepid black-capped chickadees reappeared, making me smile. I too need to be intrepid and tough. My faith and the love of my family still surround me. I can make it through whatever lies ahead.
My husband and I just returned from a cruise on the Ohio River. We traveled down the Ohio from Pittsburgh to St. Louis on the American Cruise steamboat “Heritage”. It was a great trip. I learned a lot of things: about the river towns, the Ohio River, the people we traveled with and about myself. I enjoyed everything. Well, maybe not the day I got a cold/sinus infection. But sleeping for 36 hours took care of that.
I met people who love to cruise on the American rivers, learning the history and lore of the region while sampling regional foods created by the chefs on board. Imagine being 93 or 94 and cruising all by yourself on the riverways. I’m not that brave. I’m also more of a homebody. I certainly wouldn’t have been an intrepid explorer like some of the characters in the books I write.
I wanted to learn and get the feel for moving along the river and I certainly did that, taking time to sit on my balcony and watch the trees along the riverbanks, listening to the water lapping along the shore and the boat in contrast to the constant thrumming of the ship’s motors. I was told the early steamboats, powered by wood/coal and steam were much louder, and dirtier. So, I’ll need to remember that for my tale of travel down the Ohio for the next two books in my Trevellian Family Saga, Seasons.
That brings to my mind the travails I and my agent are facing with my novels. As she shops the manuscript to traditional publishers, the comments, “well written, but not enough light-hearted romance” keep swimming to the surface. My agent’s last email encouraged me to enjoy my cruise and to consider revisions when I come back, have me thinking and doubting my own writing abilities.
Getting an email telling me I did not make the long list in a writing contest was also a bit of a downer. Not that I expected to win… but I guess I was hoping against hope for something. Sigh.
Then I happened to think about a gift one of my grandsons gave me a couple years ago. He knows I like birds so at a Christmas shop he bought me a bluebird sitting on a rock that says “Believe”. It encouraged me to think beyond my setbacks and to keep focused on what God has given me to do. To write stories that show that God is with us no matter what we go through. Just like the characters in my book, I need to believe He will take care of me no matter what I face.
Sometimes it can be painful to learn about yourself. Other times it may be inspirational. What have you learned about yourself lately? Feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
Proverbs 25:11 likens our words fitly spoken to gold apples in silver settings. So, WORDS matter. Whether they are spoken or in a writer’s world, written. They matter.
A recent writer’s conference that I attended had the theme “A Word like Fire”. What you say, and what you write can burn. A woman at the conference likened the burning to the production of ash. Ash can be used for good in soap, for fertilizer and yet at the same time it can be destructive, destroying all it touches. So can our words, in what we say and what we write. It can produce joy and pain. Misunderstandings of actions, coming from different perspectives and speaking rashly can hurt others.
Having experienced both effects, I am re-examining how I speak and write. I pray God puts a watch on my lips, heart and mind, so that what I say and write produces gold for God’s glory.
It won’t be easy. Old habits die hard and I’m sure I will slip up from time to time. But I will persevere, trusting that in the end I will shine for His glory. In that process, there will be dross burned off, it will be painful and yet rewarding as I emerge from the fire.
Have you ever experienced both the pain of joy of words fitly or not fitly spoken/written?
Janet Pierce's Writing Cafe 