For Such a Time as This
By Shirley Atchison
I remember writing a little beginning in my adolescent years. But honestly, I can not recall when or how it all began. I can, however say when I began to write seriously, or to write as a “calling,” to write passionately with one desire - fully yielded to God's creative flow. A flow in which I’d so accurately pen His Father heart of love and acceptance, to inspire, encourage and uplift others. To somehow provoke someone to say, “Wow, how can I know this Jesus?”
The year was 1996. I’d written well before this time, but had laid the “gift” aside for many, many years following a previous “wounding” from a publisher/editor/friend. I didn’t know what to do with this hurt. So I did nothing. Not even write. She stated to me regarding a piece for publication, “In journalism you just don’t do that.” That being, mention the name Jesus Christ, and certainly not a dedication to, “My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
This statement shocked me. I could only reply, “Well, I guess journalism isn’t for me.” Unfortunately we parted ways. Our friendship and writing relationship tattered by “professional political correctness”.
I knew nothing of “writer protocol.” But if I could not fully convey what I believed God was placing in and on my heart, what was the use? It would be many years later before I was introduced to the world of Christian inspirational novels. The realization of such a genre was refreshing and rife with opportunity.
It was one Sunday afternoon immediately following choir practice when a wonderful woman of God approached me asking a fairly simple enough question, “Do you write?”
I was somewhat taken aback. I did not know this lady. Oh, I’d seen her in rehearsal. We both sang alto, but other than a “Hello” here and a “Good-bye” there that was the extent of our interaction. My initial reaction was laughter. I guess kind of like Sarah when she heard of the promised seed, Isaac. I’d been sorely hurt and disappointed in the past. I did not nor did I want to think of my scab being ripped off, exposing an area still sore and bleeding.
After gaining some composure I asked, “Why would you ask me, ‘Do I write?’” I, in all truthfulness didn’t mean to laugh in her face; I was just so utterly surprised at the question.
She genuinely couldn’t tell me why she’d inquired, only stating, “I really don’t know, God just told me to ask you, ‘Do you write?’”
Was this seriously a “God thing”? I finally answered, “I used to.”
That discussion was the beginning of a labor of love. Words of Encouragement – a Christian newsletter was founded by this wonderful woman of God, Frances Morrissette. I joined her efforts, and for the next year I co- authored, as we cheerfully partnered, to 'encourage the brethren'. I was most blessed by this endeavor and today I am proud to say Frances is one of my closest and dearest friends. She has encouraged me selflessly and continues to cheer me on, hopefully, to publication.
Through Words of Encouragement God stoked the fires anew for writing. I am grateful that God knows how to fulfill His plans and purposes, even after I’d laid aside the talent. His plans are so much greater than I could ever see, and “His gifts and callings are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29 KJV)
He has a way of sending someone along to assist or pick up the pieces of brokenness that nothing be lost!
…when they were filled, he said unto his disciples,
“Gather up the fragments that remain,
that nothing be lost.”
(John 6:12 KJV, emphasis added)
Because of this, I can now look back and see God’s hand so sovereign in orchestrating my steps. I’ve grown to trust that He knows how to get me where I need to go and is willing to do so even when I can’t see how. That’s so reassuring, I don’t have to make things happen, He will.
I have continued to write, attempting to hone the craft skillfully that I may write-ly divide the Word of Truth. In 2008 I, briefly, contributed devotional shorts, poems, and spiritual songs to Mrs. Peg’s website, Sip’s n Cup’s. It was during this time period I met another wonderful Christian lady, Kathlyn Fauchon. This soon led to being a member of ACFW-Australia. She too, as Frances, has been a wonderful support and friend, observing things in my writing I scarcely knew were there. In her loving and gentle manner Mrs. Kath has sought to draw them forth. In this, I can again take comfort in knowing, God will always bring the correct individual(s) across our path, just at the right time and our steps be ordered; destination - destiny.
With God’s continued assistance, I humbly add, I recently placed third in the Eternal Ink contest for a piece entitled “Joe.” Additionally, my poem, “The Multifaceted Face of God,” ranked as a finalist in the same contest. This accomplishment has garnered an invitation to become a member of the Sonrise Writers. I will be a regular contributor to their ezine- www.4Him2U.com.
Writing has repeatedly stretched me. I have learned much during this process and look forward to the journey ahead - My next step? I’m not sure, but I entrust them to the One who is “The Way.”
------------------------
Shirley was diagnosed at age three with an incurable blood disease— doctors said would kill her by age 18. Persevering against the 'disable' label she went on to graduate from Blinn College with an associates degree in Radiology and is a registered Mammographer/ Radiographer. She has a heart for the broken, bruised and hurting of society. She has spoken in prison and continues to speak to men and women in rehab facilities about the saving, healing and restorative power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Shirley's desire is to write full time, fully yielded to God's creative flow, penning His Father heart of love and acceptance; to inspire, encourage and uplift others to live out the number of their days in joy and victory. She presently serves in the prayer partner ministry of her local church and may be reached via email via the editor.
God Answered, “Write”
By Angela Posey-Arnold
Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV)
The doctor explained the effects of the horrible wreck. All I heard was, “You won’t be able to go back to practice nursing, ever.” I don’t even remember the ride home from the doctor’s office, his words swirling around in my head.
No nursing? It is all I know. What will I do? They are holding my job for me, how will I tell them? Oh God, what am I going to do?
Still recovering from the wreck and now with this news my family settled me in for the evening doing the best they could with me. I didn’t feel anything but pain- physical, emotional and spiritual. I was numb, scared and confused about the future. I felt hopeless. Mother kept reminding me of her favorite Scripture. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) The words seemed to be for someone else, bouncing off me.
I worked hard to become an RN, BSN, four years of college and twenty years in the practice working my way up to Director of Nursing making a good salary with with retirement benefits. All my plans to get a Masters in Nursing, to be a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, my future,,, gone!
The next morning I woke up and really saw no need to get out of bed but I did it anyway. Using the walker, I made my way to the recliner where I spent most days wondering if I would recover. This day was different though. I wasn’t thankful, I was angry.
Is this what You saved me for, to do nothing? Nursing is all I know, what am I supposed to do now, sit here and rot away? Why? Why God? You sent angels to protect me from the truck that hit me, why? This hurts too much and I don’t understand. What am I supposed to do now?
For the next two days I mourned the loss of my career. I cried, I yelled at my family, screamed and hung up on my lawyer, I yelled at God, I yelled at the trees. I called my Pastor and spilled it all hoping he would pray for me because I sure couldn’t pray for myself. I couldn’t talk to my friends without crying and I didn’t want to yell at them so I stopped talking to them at all. I wrote scathing lamentations in my journal and finally on the third day I was exhausted. No more tears, nothing else to say, no more screaming.
Going through a pile of books I found a book Mother gave me while in the hospital. A small book, “The Prayer of Jabez”, practically jumped into my hands. In two hours I read the entire book twice. I prayed the prayer and put it on my screen saver to scroll continuously. Every time I looked at the computer beside me, I prayed the prayer of Jabez mostly because I couldn’t pray anything else.
Checking my e-mail one day, a friend had sent a link to a site for people like me- hurt, traumatized, wounded and in need of rest. I reluctantly went to the site. Actually finding rest there I returned every day and continued to write in my journal. Writing seemed to be the only thing I could do. And I had an overwhelming need to do so.
I stumbled on a free writing course advertised on the web site. Sitting at the computer staring at the application, I heard God’s voice in my heart say, “Write for Me, I have been preparing you for this all your life, write and I will open the doors”.
Huh? Write? For You? Are You sure you want me? Never mind, I heard You. Okay, Lord I will. Teach me, give me the Words and I will write for You.
That day I wrote the story of the wreck and how God sent His angels to come between me and the huge truck that hit me. A message from Him that we do not have to be afraid. I submitted the story to Guidepost's Angels on Earth. They published it!
God answered my prayer as He answered Jabez’s prayer. He began to open doors and windows for me to learn to write, each one obvious to His purposes. He forgave me for being so angry and yelling at Him. He just understood. Through high school journalism, college, and twenty years of nursing documentation, I now see how He was preparing me to be a writer for Him. He so lovingly placed other Christian writers in my life, who have mentored and helped me to learn. Some of my dearest friends are members of Sonrise Writers Group. We have a bond like no other.
I have written two books with another in progress, countless short stories and articles published all by His grace and the help of His Holy Spirit.
But be careful when you pray the prayer of Jabez; be sure you are ready to enlarge your territories. He will answer not so much because the prayer is special but because you prayed.
Heavenly Father, forgive me when I just can’t see beyond what I can touch. I thank You for touching me with Your grace, love and mercy. Give me Your Words Lord and I will write for You until You give me another new beginning. It took me a while but I have finally figured out, life is full of new beginnings. Help me to recognize each and every one. Bless each Christian writer as they share Your love with countless ages. In Jesus Holy precious Name, Amen.
--------------------------------
Angela is a lifelong resident of beautiful Northwest Alabama. Blessed by the grace and love of Almighty God she lives in a log home with her husband of 20 years. Nestled in the mountains adjacent to the Bankhead National Forest, the peace and serenity of her surroundings inspire her writing and music.
Her first published book was released in March of 2006 and is currently available on Amazon.com and BookSurge.com. Written under the pen name, Anna Grace Poschet, The Lions and the Adders, is a journal of a journey and proof that God never fails. The Nightingale Protocol was released by Publish America. Her current book is in process. Contact her at: angarnold78@yahoo.com
Kathy Tierney says,
...it is difficult to explain. I guess I am not sure about many things concerning my writing—it is just something I have always done. I wasn't allowed to share thoughts, ideas or feelings as a child and began to "think" and live in my mind. There I created a safe place to write. I cannot remember when I didn't write...as soon as I learned to read and write, it just poured out of me. I always wanted to write my thoughts and feelings and wrote letters to everyone I could from the time I was young. I just couldn't not write, ever! It is has been the place I go to share my deepest thoughts and feelings with the Lord.
Kathy and her husband have served as missionaries in India and Kenya. They now reside in Central Oregon. She is a frequent speaker for women's conferences and a loving mentor to many. And we have found out that she is a drummer! We welcome her humor and wordcraft. You can contact her via the editor.
Gift of Choice
By Karen J. Gillett
It’s interesting how we don’t give a second thought to something until we are asked. For example the question, “Where did your desire to write begin?” I have to confess, if I were asked the question directly my first reaction would be, “Well, in kindergarten.” Wrong! Try again but this time fast forward your life in reverse and dig a little deeper.
With my pen and paper at hand and the keyboard of my computer not far away I began to find the answer to the question. The digging process brought up old memories and new thoughts. The first vision to arrive, the old manual typewriter I did my typing on years ago. With my college career in Medical billing on hold in 1978, I found myself forced to go in a different direction. Seizures and being declared disabled would replace what I had planned for my life and it left me alone to entertain myself the best I possibly could.
Taking pity on me a neighbor graciously offered me her manual typewriter to use. What started out a toy to play with would soon turn into a tool to help me through a difficult time.
Six years into my disease in 1984, it was discovered that 90% of my seizures were caused by stress. I found myself keeping a journal to sort things out and possibly get rid of what I needed to in order to get my seizures under control. Surprisingly enough typing helped in more ways than one. Soon I discovered God used my typing not only to talk to me but through me as well.
From small journal notes came large devotionals and what I would soon label “home-grown stories.” Ideas and thoughts on things to write about came quicker than I could write them down. Missing out on a lot of the things God told me to write about I finally had to a get a tape recorder for my car to record notes.
My writing took me from personal diary notes to devotionals given in front of women at Christmas parties and women’s retreats. From there Bible Studies would grow as well as a children ministry using my writings and drawings.
Little did I know at the time my writing would serve many purposes, one would be to reach others, a second to reach myself, and third to measure my own spiritual growth. God has found a way to use me and shape me at the same time. For every piece I wrote I drew closer and closer to the Lord who was using my fingers to speak through. The grammar and structure part of writing would be something I would struggle with but what God wanted me to say wasn’t. In fact it almost amazes me sometimes to see Him take over and come up with writings I never could have thought of on my own.
There’s no doubt about it, writing is my gift from God and I’m extremely thankful it is. Some day I hope to use it as my own personal catering business to cater to women and children. Delivering to them the kind of spiritual food they need for their own growth and a chance to find the Lord and what He has to offer. It may not be a career in writing but there are other ways He can use each of us. Our task is to find our gift and use it well. It can come out of nowhere or take years to locate but that doesn’t matter. What matters is the trust and faith that develops along the journey itself that gets us from where we are to where God wants us to be.
Writing wasn’t my gift of choice. It was what God had planned for me. Keep looking, you’ll find yours if you don’t give up.
___________________
Karen resides in Oregon, with her husband of 30 years. She is a mother of one and grandmother of four. She teaches a women’s Bible Study and loves to draw cartoons and write. Her writings and drawings can be seen at http://karijofluffy.blogspot.com/and she can be contacted at karijo_fluffy@yahoo.com.
~ ~ ~
in process
