Write Your Story

Part One:

Do you keep a diary? I’ve been writing since I was about eight. I’ve written all kinds of things, it’s just something I’ve always done. If I couldn’t have pen and paper or a computer I think a part of me would be missing. It would be similar to having my hand cut off. This is just something I do, it's a part of who I am.

As technology has grown, my writing is not so much hand written, yet I still find myself purchasing that new notebook or journal. What is wrong with me?

There is just something about the way it feels in my hands, the smell of the paper…even the feel of the paper. I love new pens and pencils too and they have to be the right ones! They have to ‘feel’ right. I’m very picky about those things. I have an overabundance of these items. Just the other day both my children were telling me “You don’t need it” when I saw a pretty notebook. Because of my kids it remained at Walmart. 

I ‘m not sure too many people understand this part of me and that’s okay. It makes me quirky, I guess. Since technology has evolved and I have a computer, most of my notebooks or journals are used for actual 'note-taking'. Business notes, Bible study notes, Book notes (I read a lot) and any other kind of note I might need to write. If the notebook has really pretty paper, sometimes I even use it for handwritten letters...

And there lays a problem. I cannot tell you how many letters I've written that have never been mailed. Every time we have moved, I have found a cards or  letters I meant to mail. Sometimes, I mail them and pray I said something good to the recipient because I haven't got a clue. I figure I wrote it for a reason and because I've a horrid memory it didn't get mailed or maybe...just maybe, God didn't want me to mail it yet. Maybe whatever it is I told them arrived at just the right time...there's a thought uh?

What this all comes down to is, I've been writing my story for years. Once in a while I share snippets of it with someone whom I feel needs to hear a certain part. Who I feel I can counsel, help and be a light for Jesus in their dark moment. 

I don't know if what I say helps or not, but once upon a time my Grandpa (the greatest man that ever lived) found a letter I'd forgotten to mail to a dying woman. I have no idea what I said or even where that letter ended up. She had passed on by the time Grandpa found the letter, but he praised and praised me for writing it. 

And then, even though I think he was thankful he got to read it, he was disappointed that the recipient hadn't received it. He told me how touching he thought the letter to be and how it would have been a blessing to her. He was sad that she didn't get to read it. I felt bad for forgetting to mail it.

My goal in life has been to be that bit of light to another in their time of need. It's not an easy goal. It's an exhausting goal and most the time like my forgotten letters - I fall short. A lot of that has to do with the fact that I'm rather an introvert. I'm happy to stay home in my own little world most days. 

What I've learned is there are other ways to reach out to people. Technology sure helps with that, but still it is difficult to find the right person. The person God wants you to connect with and the people that will build your tribe. What do I mean by that? I don't remember who said it or where I saw it this week, but it went something like this: 

"Do you ever see someone on Facebook, read their posts and think they are your BFF and don't even know it!" 

Like they belong in your tribe and you belong in their's! You just connect! You just "get" each other. Together you're amazing!You succeed. You win. You laugh. You share. You grow. Why is that? I believe the answer is that if you... 

 I believe this to be absolutely true. Think about it. Who is that one person that just energizes you anytime you are around them? You can't help but feel excited and energized. Fun is about to be had! Right? 

The wrong people dim your light, they exhaust you, make you feel less than you are and it's a horrible balance beam to walk. One side they are kind of your friend and the other side they're a bloody nightmare! You know?

Again, the right people energize you, they believe in you and support you. It's like they are the water and you the wilting plant. God sends them along at just the right moment to pull you out of that dark pit. Be aware of who you surround yourself with...

...because this too, is true! I do not have a potty mouth. I do have a few friends that do. I want to break them of that habit, yet if I spend enough time around them I notice myself saying words I normally do not use. I try to avoid that, which means avoiding that friend. I try to avoid T.V. shows or movies for the same reason. A bad habit can be broken but it is so easy to slip and fall back into.

During my six years in England I found myself surrounded by gym rats, fitness junkies and health freaks. Guess what? I became one! I drank the kool-aid, so to speak. They rubbed off on me and I'm so thankful they did. I learned so much about myself because of them. They helped me shine brighter!

The problem we run into in today's world is, well several things. 

• nobody has time for anyone
• people are lazy
• they have excuses fifteen miles long
• they don't prioritize
• they drift through life
• they've been hurt before
• doubt
• they're afraid
• scared to trust
• feel safer at home

That list can go on and on, just like the reasons as to why very few people have seen or read many of my writings. What am I writing them for? What purpose are they serving if forgotten in drawer? Who are the touching, uplifting, encouraging, supporting or helping? 

I have a story to tell, everybody does, but writing it is scary. Writing it is hard. It is an emotional journey with an ending and destination unknown. Fear can strangle it before pen ever touches paper and forcing fingertips to sit silently upon the keys...