Your memoir’s ministry: “through us, with us, in spite of us”

 

“Writing can be a true spiritual discipline,” writes Henri Nouwen.

 

He highlights one of the core aspects of writing memoirs—the necessity of, and blessing of, introspection and reflection and analysis of what happened in the past.

 

He points out that as we write, “new ideas emerge, ideas that surprise us and lead us to inner places we hardly knew were there.” Nouwen calls those “deep wells of hidden treasures.”

 

“Writing can help us concentrate, to get in touch with the deeper stirrings of our hearts, to clarify our minds, to process confusing emotions, to reflect on our experiences, to give artistic expression to what we are living, and to store significant events in our memories.”

 

“Writing can also be good for others who might read what we write,” Nouwen says. “Quite often a difficult, painful, or frustrating [event] can be ‘redeemed’ by writing about it. . . . Then writing can become lifesaving for us and sometimes for others, too.”

 

Nouwen continues, “Each human being is unique. . . and nobody has lived what we have lived. . . . What we have lived, we have lived not just for ourselves but for others as well. Writing can . . . make our lives available . . . to others. We have to trust that our stories deserve to be told.” (Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey)

 

Maybe you doubt what Nouwen claims—maybe you doubt your story can be lifesaving for others.

 

Many would-be memoirists struggle with that.

 

But look at what dear Mick Silva discovered:

 

“For such a long time, I felt my story wasn’t important. . . .

I didn’t know who my story had made me. . . .

But exhuming it, the healing has been profound,

pulling me from ashes of charred memories. . . .

And the things I’ve discovered have been treasures. . . .

Through writing I’ve discovered that . . .

protecting and preserving our stories

is about discovering God’s story.

What he did through us, with us, in spite of us,

continually pursuing that story

is a matter of faithfulness and obedience,

to become aware and invest in this life he’s given.

To speak its life-affirming power in proper words and context,

it can be the delight of our lives,

an endless source of inspiration.”

(Mick Silva, Higher Purpose Writers)

 

“We are storytellers,” writes Carolina Hinojosa-Cisneros. “With the help of God, it is up to us to steward our calling and steward it well.”

 

Believe this: Your story is important. 

Write it!

Make your life and your story available for others.

 

Tuesday Tidbit: How can I best help you write your memoir?

Several times lately I’ve nearly cried when I think of the enormous help I’ve received from so many people in writing and publishing my memoir. Maybe you are one of them. If so, thank you, thank you, thank you!

And then I think of you. How are you doing in writing your memoir?

Every memoirist needs help from others

in writing and publishing a finished book.

I hope I’m one of those helpers.

And that brings me to today’s question:

How can I best help you write your memoir?

What do you need most from Spiritual Memoirs 101?

• lessons on the art and craft of writing?
• specific teaching on what a memoir is and is not?
• tips on revising and editing?
• reminders that your story is important and others need to read it?
• reassurance that writing your memoir is a ministry, a sacred calling, not just a hobby?
• encouragement to begin writing?
• inspiration to continue writing?
• motivation to finish writing and publish?
• other?

I welcome your comments below

or at the Spiritual Memoirs 101’s Facebook Page.

Feel free to also send a private message on the Facebook Page.

In the same way that others have helped me with all of the above, 

and more,

I want to help you write your memoir.

Let me know how I can best do so.

Will you publish your memoir in 2018?

You might have set aside your writing over the holidays—I did. And I didn’t feel guilty about it.

Why? Because sometimes taking a break is exactly what we need to refresh, revitalize, and invigorate ourselves for the writing tasks ahead.

We just can’t let our breaks linger too long.

Determine in 2018 to make significant progress on your writing project. I’m guessing quite a few of you will publish your memoir in 2018!

Remember: Writing your memoir is not a hobby—it’s a ministry.

Your story is not your own.

It has been entrusted to you by God

for something bigger than you might realize right now.

In his devotional, Quiet Moments with God, Lloyd Ogilvie prays for God to help him be a communicator of His grace to others. He continues praying:

“All You have taught me on the mountaintops of victory or the valleys of trials has been to help me say to others, ‘I know what you’re going through—I’ve been there!’ Help me see life as a school of grace equipping me for a ministry of sharing. Thank you, Lord, for what I will learn . . . that will enable me to help someone who will need just what I’ve discovered.”

Those words are true for you and for me, too. So are these next ones:

“The life I touch for good or ill

will touch another life,

and in turn another,

until who knows where the trembling stops

or in what place my touch will be felt.”

Frederick Buechner, The Hungering Dark

Your memoir can communicate God’s grace, hope, peace, and encouragement to others.

So as you step into 2018, renew your sense of ministry. Recognize you’ve received a sacred calling.

If you took a break from writing over the holidays, don't feel guilty! The breather probably was good for you. But now is the time to get back to work!

If you plan to publish your memoir in 2018, 

leave a comment below 

or on the Facebook Page for Spiritual Memoirs 101.

Happy writing!