Tuesday Tidbit: We proofreaders need each other!

Lia London left this quote in a comment after Thursday’s post, “The most productive and transformative part of writing a book.” It was too good not to share more widely. Thanks, Lia!

Lia knows a bit about proofreading and editing—she has published a number of books. Currently I’m reading two of them, part of her Little Devotional series. The first book is Parables and Ponderings: When God speaks to us through everyday items and incidents, and the second is Miracles and Musings: Recognizing God’s love in blessings big and small.

Her third book in the series is Knocking and Knowing: When faith is hard to find.

The series includes brief personal anecdotes, reflections on what’s often overlooked yet delightful, all wrapped in ordinary daily events. They will make you smile. Be sure to click on the links above.

Lia is also the founder of Clean Indie Reads, an organization of over 2400 authors, illustrators, and marketing specialists who work in the independent publishing industry.

Cathy, Lia, and Kathleen proved it

Stories matter. Stories make a difference. Even little stories.

Cathy, Lia, and Kathleen proved it.

Tears stung my eyes when I read their comments after last Wednesday’s post, Connect Your Dots. Do you remember it?

“O, Lord, You’ve said You will make my path straight!” Barb cried. “So why is my path so crooked?”

She listened for God’s answer. He seemed to say, “Barb, this is my straight path for you!”

God’s reply zinged Barb.

Barb’s story zinged three of you.

Cathy Scibelli left this comment:

“…  Many times when I read your posts I feel as if I've tapped into a hotline to the Almighty because they are so often an answer to something I've been musing and praying about. Just today I was thinking similar to Barb, saying to a friend I wish God would put up road signs that say ‘Wrong Way’ so I don't stray off a nice straight smooth path. Now I understand not to fear the bumpy detours.”

Lia London said this:

“I absolutely love this idea! For years, I’ve understood that the Lord has customized trials for us, but I had never visualized the ‘path’ idea. Your dot-to-dot idea further helps me see how each individual’s journey is its own beautiful work of art, and we are in the care of the Master Artist.”

Kathleen Pooler wrote:

“You always seem to strike a chord in me with your posts! This one took me back to the time I decided to move out of state. I was a single parent with two school-aged children and on the surface it certainly didn't seem like a rational plan. Even my brother said ‘there's a straight line from A to B but Kathy chooses the zig zag course.’ In retrospect, as irrational as it all looked, I know now that God knew what He was doing. Thank you for another thought-provoking post that gets me in touch with my own journey and with the awesome presence of God in my life.”

So there you have it: Stories are important!

Stories can solve mysteries, encourage change, inspire action, and give hope.

Even your everyday stories can impart wisdom and shape character.

Your stories can change lives.

No wonder God urges us to tell others what we’ve seen Him do!

Over the years, God used Barb’s story in powerful ways, and He can do the same with your stories.

Your stories can build bridges between past generations and future generations.

Like Lisa-Jo Baker said, word by word, build your bridge, that others might walk across. (From her blog post, Because Words Can Build A Bridge…)

Last summer Pastor Sid Tiller preached a sermon based on Psalm 100:5, “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Sid challenged us, saying,

“Generations before you lived for you

and told you of God’s love and mercy.

There are folks counting on us—folks not born net—

who need us to put Psalm 100:5 into action.

May your children and grandchildren

and great-grandchildren

know the name of God and praise Him.”

Stories matter. Stories make a difference. Even little stories.

Your stories can be sacred, full of life and light.

Write your stories!

February is “Plant the Seeds of Greatness” Month

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“Dare to be Great!” read the church bulletin.

Pastor Sid’s sermon was a timely introduction to February and “Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month.”

What is greatness?

Many people think of fame, wealth, power, and influence.

Others, however, hold a different definition of greatness.

Jesus said that the greatest are those who humble themselves and serve others in the same way he did (Mark 10-43-45).

When we humble ourselves and live according to our one-of-a-kind, God-designed purposes, you and I will find our greatness.

Here’s where your memoir comes in: Your stories can motivate true greatness—not fame, wealth, power, or influence, but rather greatness in God’s sight, greatness the way Jesus lived it.

You can do that by writing stories—parables, if you will—that “Plant the Seeds of Greatness.”

Everyday people and their stories

Lia London writes:

“There’s a lady at my church who is the best teacher I’ve ever seen.… The age of her students makes no difference: toddlers or teens, men and women.… In every case, she has them in the palm of her hand, listening, learning, and participating enthusiastically. I’ve seen her teach subject matter that was beyond her normal sphere of knowledge, yet she inspired her students to do great things.

“And she never took a single course in college about how to be a teacher.…

“How does she do it?

“She tells stories about everyday things.” (Read more of Lia London’s post, The Parable Principle: How Stories Can Teach.)

Include stories in your memoir about everyday people and events, as Jesus did in his parables, that inspire readers to humbly live out their distinct God-designed purposes—their calling, their reason for being.

Pastor Sid asked, “What could God do if every person who has a relationship with Him dared to be great?”

Your memoir can give readers roots, wings, and a life of great things

Sunday at church, I was moved by Mark Harris’s worship song, Find Your Wings. These words spoke to me of what memoirs can do for kids, grandkids, and other readers:

“…As I watch you grow, I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams and that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things.… So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings.”

Write your stories! Write everyday stories of ordinary people doing commonplace things. Tell your readers about regular people living out their unique God-designed purposes.

Write stories that give your readers roots, help them find their wings, and give them courage to dare to do great things.