When
we start writing, we have no idea where our memories and ponderings will take
us.
The
process of crafting a memoir changes the way we hear.
It
opens our eyes.
It
helps us discover a higher, deeper, broader story.
And
the process of writing changes our hearts.
“The
written word
preserves
what otherwise might be lost
among
the impressions that inundate our lives.
Thoughts,
insights, and perceptions
constantly
threaten to leave us
before
we have the opportunity
to
grasp their meaning.
Writing
can keep technology-driven, fast-paced,
quick-fix,
ambiguity-intolerant modern life
from
overpowering us—
and
give us something palpable upon which to reflect.
Reflection
slows matters down.
It
analyzes what was previously unexamined,
and
opens doors to different interpretations
of
what was there all along.
Writing,
by encouraging reflection,
intensifies
life.”
(Editors
Ben Jacobs and Helena Hjalmarsson,
The Quotable Book Lover)
Think
back to a time when the unexpected happened, something scary or challenging or disappointing.
Or maybe it was downright tragic—heartbreaking, life-changing.
One
time—only one time, I’m sad to say—when something devastating happened, almost
immediately Romans 8:28 came to mind: “And we know that all that happens to us
is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans” (The Living
Bible).
I
told myself that ultimately I’d recognize the good God could bring from the tragedy.
I told myself to watch God work. I couldn’t imagine what those blessings might
be—those lessons, insights, and opportunities to mature, gain wisdom, and grow
in faith—so I waited and watched. And sure enough, He did bring beauty from
ashes.
I
wish that every time hardship blindsided me, I’d have watched for the goodness He
worked, but I admit I rarely have.
Maybe
you’ve had the same experience.
Not
all is lost at such times, though, if we think back and search for those
good things God brought. They’re just waiting for us to recognize them.
But
too often I’ve forgotten to go back and look for the gems He unearthed from my
dirt. I feel bad about that.
Mike
Metzger’s quote has come to mind frequently in the years since I ran across it:
“Many
churches have forgotten the premium
that
the historic Judeo-Christian tradition placed on
remembrance…and
recalling the right things.
The
‘great sin’ of the Old Testament was forgetfulness
(at
least it is the most recurrent offense).
‘Remember’
is the most frequent command
in
the Old Testament.”
(Clapham
Memo, January 19, 2007,
“Back
and Forth,” by Mike Metzger; emphasis mine)
Because
of Mike’s quote, in recent years I’ve made an effort to remember what God has
done for me and my family. Doing so requires me to make time to search my
memories.
By definition, writing a memoir requires us to go back, to uncover—to excavate,
unearth, dig, till the soil and sift through it—looking for diamonds and
emeralds.
In
the process, we might need to stand to the side and take a different look: We
need to do a “Doggie Head Tilt,” another Mike Metzger quote. He says, “If your
head never tilts, your mind never changes.”
So,
we tilt our heads and
look
at that difficulty from another angle.
We
rethink what happened, we reevaluate,
and
maybe arrive at a different conclusion
than
we had come to before.
In
Psalm 86:17, David prays, “Give me a sign of your goodness.”
That’s
what we memoirists are looking for:
Signs
of God’s goodness.
Souvenirs,
if you will, for us to keep and cherish.
Symbols,
proofs of His goodness.
Evidence.
Confirmations.
When
God comforts us with them, they become gems
for
us to share with others.
So
we find those treasures, those signs of goodness, and we piece them together,
like stringing jewels to make a necklace. While we do so, we examine them, we
ponder and reflect on them.
We
ask ourselves:
- What
was God doing?
- What
lessons was He teaching me?
- What
new insights do I now have?
- How
did He change my heart?
- How
has my life changed as a result?
- What
message did He give me to share with others?
Yes,
indeed, when we start composing a memoir, we have no idea where our memories
and ponderings and writings will take us.
The
process of writing opens our eyes and changes our hearts. It helps us discover a
higher, deeper, broader story.
Our
job as memoirists
is
to set aside time, as long as it takes,
to
follow the breadcrumb trail
God
has left for us to help us find our way.
And
then we share our findings with others
who
need help navigating their way.
In
that way,
penning
a memoir can be a sacred journey,
even
an act of worship.
Discover
the blessings God has handed you
in
the midst of your hard times,
and
then write your memoir,
knowing
others need the hope
and
wisdom and blessings you have to offer.
