"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
It is truly hard for me to believe but I started this blog one year ago, plus a day. July 31st 2020 began my Saturday morning ritual of fusing and scrapping together sentences from scattered thought, working and reworking the phrasing to make it more readable, less boring, more engaging and less wordy. Like a table cluttered and ready for the makings of a collage made from virtual paper and glue, each week, the mess in my mind would miraculously take shape.
I never was a writer. My brilliant, big brother Scott was. He could write circles around me when we were young and still can today, but, still...here I am somehow. I was not a big fan of English class and never felt comfortable there, like I didn't belong at the party (not cool enough), but was dropped off by my parents and forced to stay against my will to try and become friends with it somehow.
But, still...against all odds, here I am now oddly loving this old-new thing that has busted through my life's door without so much as a doorbell ring-warning, delivering an unexpected and surprise gift to my life's adventure.
It begins the same, each and every time. I sink into the open arms of the chaise lounge end on our sofa at dawn's blurry light, raise the cover on my laptop to make the room come aglow and it quickly blinks on, staring back at me as if to say "Good morning, I have been expecting you". I start tapping on the keys, with our fluffy, grey cat Ruffles laying on my left, and a cup of steaming coffee on my right to keep me company.
After sitting in prayer and then some time spent doing some frayed journaling in my head the process begins, bringing with it a strange sort of joy and peace that I could not have known would ever happen back then in English class, as I reluctantly pushed through writing long papers and book reports, counting the words, adding filler sentences to make them longer - just enough to get the grade. Anything to pass the class.
Age and time change lots of things as many of you understand deeply, and now today, I actually consider myself a writer in the loosest sense of the word. I will never pen an epistolary novel (even its' name intimidates me) or a Tony awarded screenplay - I'll leave that up to my amazing nephew who has now inherited my brother's proclivity for beautiful word composition and classical music to boot.
As for me, reaching people through my own simple way of layering words is something I certainly now have come to adore and will continue to do, in spite of myself and the way I used to feel about writing. And, I know without a doubt, that it is a good thing gifted from my Creator.
God's surprises often come wrapped in ways we never expect, that's for sure. He loves to flip things over, shake out what we think should or will happen, and then flip them upright to unveil His perfect plans now void of our once drenching negativity and unhelpful self-talk. Now, reading the above scripture verse, I understand He had this planned for me all along...amazing and crazy grace with a sense of humor in tact.
I want to thank each of you for turning each page through this weekly biography of trying to choose better - one chapter, one mess, and one choice at a time. I do not take it lightly that you would use your precious and limited moments to read whatever it is I have to offer with both hands open, hoping the gift is received in the spirit it has been given - one of total love and appreciation for the craft and especially for each person who has come by to read it.
So, let's raise a glass! Here's to a year and a day gone by, walking together as friends down life's leafed and quickly changing-color trail, sun streaming through each day's branches with God's grace lighting the way through the dark patches along the path. I am completely blessed and honored by your company each and every step.
Thank you for coming, thank you for reading, and thank you for choosing to stay.
Question: Which of this past year's blog entries touched you the most? Would you please share it with me?
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