When working on any
significant project, often obstacles pull us off track.
In writing your
memoir—as a ministry, not a hobby—what derails you? What distractions lure you
away?
Lots of things could
entice you to say, “I don’t have time to write today. Maybe tomorrow.”
And before you know
it, you’re turning the calendar page to a new month. And then to a new year.
And when you think
about getting back to writing your memoir, you get discouraged.
You might even ask
yourself, “What made me think I could write my story?”
Sound familiar?
When that happens,
we must refocus on the value of our stories. We must believe that our stories have
importance.
One of the best
motivators for me to write is this: I have learned some of the most important
things in my life from other people’s stories. From them, I have learned about courage,
hope, direction, healing, integrity, faith, wisdom, and understanding.
How crippled and
lost I would be without those stories ministering to me. Like Proverbs 13:14a says,
“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life. . . .”
The blessings I’ve
received from other people’s stories inspire me to pass on my stories to
others.
Another motivation
for me is this: God tells us to share our stories with others, starting with
our children and grandchildren and spreading outward from there.
If you’ve been with
SM 101 for a while, you’re well-acquainted with Deuteronomy 4:9 which tells us
to always remember what we’ve seen God do and to be sure to tell our kids and
grandkids.
And in Luke 8:39,
Jesus said, “Go tell your family everything God has done for you.”
When you finish
writing your memoir and hand it to your kids, grandkids and great-grands, this
is, in effect, what you’ll be saying to them:
“Come, children,
listen to me.
Let me teach you how
to honor the Lord”
(Psalm 34:11, CEB).
And remember this: We
don’t write our stories because we are so great and amazing—it’s all about how great and amazing God is!
Bottom line: You will
face obstacles—other activities will look soooo fun, you’ll have good tasks that
you’ll need to do and out-of-town guests to entertain. You’ll get sick.
Interruptions will arise, but don’t let them throw you off track for long!
Ask God for help. Pray
for wisdom to refocus and discipline to reprioritize so you can keep on task
and fulfill this responsibility He has given to you.
Pray Moses’s words,
that your stories might bring refreshing, nourishing blessings to your readers:
“Let my teaching
fall like rain
and my words descend
as dew,
like showers on new
grass,
like abundant rain
on tender plants”
(Deuteronomy 32:2).
And you can pray
Lloyd Ogilvie’s words:
“Gracious Father . .
.
I never cease to be
astonished
that You have chosen
to do Your work through me.
Remind me throughout
this day
to yield myself in
prayer
so that my mind is
directed by Your guidance. . . .
I say with the
psalmist,
‘. . . for Your
name’s sake, lead me and guide me’
(Psalm 31:3).”
(Lloyd John Ogilvie,
Quiet Moments with God)
Linda, I'm so far off track that I find it depressing on top of this recovery. I actually told my husband I thought I needed help. It's been almosts four years since I stopped working or thinking about my memoir, and I've actually said I won't publish it. Thanks so much for your words here today. They are what I needed to read tonight.
ReplyDeleteOh, Sherrey, bless your dear heart. You have had a number of challenging situations that make it easy to understand why you'd need to set aside your writing. God knows all about those situations as well as about your story. He is merciful and encouraging and if and when the time is right for you to get out that old manuscript, you'll sense that it's a good thing. For now, be at peace, knowing you're currently at the right place at the right time. Your days are in His heart and hands. Please keep me posted. AND I'm really enjoying your blog posts, so keep up that good work, Sherrey!
DeleteThank you, Linda. I appreciate your gracious and encouraging words. They'll be held close in my heart.
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