Today was an entertaining service at Lakewood Church.
In the aftermath of Thanksgiving it was a morning not just of songs of faith, but a few patriotic songs, and a "Parade of Nations" presentation where children of the congregation, dressed in international costumes, performed on stage, and dozens of adult members of the congregation, paraded up to the microphone to say simple words of praise, dressed in native costumes, and carrying flags of countries around the world.
The guest speaker was Richard Stearns the head of World Vision International Relief Organization.
Stearns was there to promote his book, The Hole in the Gospel, and to talk
about the mission of World Vision, but his message went beyond just that, and
one of the things he talked about was each of us being “A Pencil in God’s Hand”.
As a writer/blogger that line struck a chord with me, and I’m grateful to have been there to hear those words.
A simple Google will turn up that those words were first used by Mother Theresa to describe her, but others, including writers, and bloggers, have explored their meaning in their own way.
One such person to do so, earlier this year, was April Gardner (Also Sr. Editor of Clash of the Titles), in a 3 part series on the website Reflections in Hindsight.
“Inside our life timelines, are our individual Writing Career Timelines.”
“God already knows what we are going to write….He already has each word recorded! Kind of intimidating, but also terribly comforting.
Why comforting? Because He already sees every mistake I’ll make, and yet He loves me anyway. He knows every failure, and yet He still called me to write. He must believe that despite all my shortcomings, enough good will come of my writing to make it worth The Calling. Now that’s comforting, emboldening, sustaining.”
“We each have a Writing Career Pencil. There was a day for each one of us that we chose to write that first word, then the second, and at some point, we surrendered to The Call. We knew we were supposed to be writing inspirational work, and we made steps toward achieving a writing goal. That was the tip of our pencils.
Each one of our pencils is a different length and only God determines how long it is….Regardless, it’s the exact length God meant it to be, and there is nothing you can do to change that."
Your Writing Career, A Pencil in God’s Hand
Yes, she’s talking to, and about, Christian Writers, not writers of other niches, but I think her message can apply to anyone who is a writer, and aspires to be published: “the idea that we can view our writing careers as a timeline held in God’s hand, just as we hold a pencil in ours.”
I'm grateful to have found her thought provoking series of pieces.
When I chose to write that first fictional word, as my cat, as a way to introduce myself, on that long ago message board, in 1998, I had no idea where that simple act would lead me.
When I was persuaded to take up blogging, in 2002, I had no idea where that would lead me, when I started a bike blog and eventually a cat blog;
I had no idea where they would lead me.
God did, though. He knew that my newly discovered talent for poetry, and storytelling, my emerging talents as a journalist, commentator, speaker, and photographer, my love of my cats, and interest in cycling, genealogy, history,
politics, and more, all would be utilized to educate, entertain, and inform
anyone who read my blogs, or heard me perform, or give a presentation.
While I have struggled for 10 years, as a blogger, to find my place in the Blogosphere and build an audience, God knows where my creative journey will eventually lead me, even if I do not.
As you can tell from a list of links in the sidebars of this blog, and Meowsings, I have attracted the attention of some very interesting, and often famous, people.
As you can tell by correspondence shared, and by comments left, my writing has affected many people in many different ways.
It took 8 years for me to find that part of my blogging interests that I felt most attracted to, and so I gave Nikita his own blog at last.
I believe I (and “Nikita” and “Elvira”) am wielding a most unique pencil, unlike anything else in the Critter Blogging Community, and the pencil I wield on this blog is unique in its own way as well.
The last year I’ve begun to think about new ways to wield that pencil, thanks to the advice and encouragement of friends, and believe I was meant to relocate from Ca. to TX. to build a new life, personally, career-wise, and creatively.
I have faith in my abilities, and ability to learn, and trust in God to guide me in the right direction, in the New Year.
God knows where I’m at. He knows where I’ll end up. The author and finisher of my personal life, and writing career has a firm grasp of my pencil, and if I will let him, the story He’ll write will no doubt blow me away, and probably
knock your socks off as well. :-D
Next Up: 30 Days of Gratitude Writing Challenge #26: Eye Specialists
February follow-up to this post:
Lakewood Church 3 Months Later: Was God Using a Pencil Sharpener?
Just made a small donation due to a Zoolatry link and wanted to wish you a happy holiday season and all the best...
Kisses to your adorable kitties!...
Jacqueline, Calle, Halle, Sukki, Mommy Cat, Daddy Cat
Posted by: Jacqueline | November 26, 2012 at 07:01 AM
This was a stellar, stellar, stellar blog post. Loved the reference to God's pencils. Never heard of that. You are 100% correct. Even if you are not a Christian writer, you have interpreted those words in your own unique life.
I agree with you - I, too, was so amazed and intrigued as you chose to personify your cats, that I do think you're a one-of-a-kind. But that is old news by now. I told you that months ago :)
Posted by: Amanda Socci | November 28, 2012 at 04:25 AM