But I was thinking about different writers I’ve read. Some of them have been good, some not so much.Take Dostoyevsky for example: now, that man could write. His amazing works have definitely stood the test of time, but I doubt I could get my children to read him. They are much more of the Harry Potter generation.
Speaking of which, how in the world did J.K. Rowling come up with the amazingly imaginative, complicated and action-packed plot, sustained through 7 novels? I admit, I loved the Harry Potter series. That doesn’t always go over well in the evangelical world. But, as a writer, I thought they were very well written and fun. I am amazed at her ability to tell an enchanting tale. She certainly had an impact on life. There’s now an entire theme park in Orlando based off of her creation. Amazing.
But is J.K. Rowling on the same level as Dostoyevsky?
Nicholas Sparks, Tom Clancy, James Patterson, Danielle Steele. All of them have become very wealthy writing books people like to read. And making movies out of them. But have they changed the world? Words are powerful, so if their words have gotten even one person to look at things differently, then yes, they have changed a small corner of the world.
C.S. Lewis? J.R.R. Tolkien? Masterful storytellers whose books finally made it to the big screen. Did they change the world? For those who have been touched by their works, they have certainly had an influence.
For good or for evil, words change lives.
I’ll be honest with you, I struggle with my motivation for writing this blog. Do I just write so that people will read it and think it’s great? (Thank you to those who have hit the “like” button over the past couple of months.) Or do I write because to not do so would be like not breathing? Is it so ingrained in me that I simply must write lest I die? Or do I just want to cause someone who reads my words to say, “Huh. I never thought of it that way before”?
I want to change the world. But I know without the power of Jesus in my life, that won’t happen. And maybe my world is just the three kids I call my own. If my influence is only on them, and that is what God has called me to do, then that should satisfy me.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1 New International Version).
Offering to God everything I do, whether it’s writing, copy editing, or teaching a classroom full of 2nd graders. Everything. And let Him do with it what He may. Write because He compels me to, not because someone might think it’s a good read.
But it sure would be nice to see my name on the jacket of a book some day.
Thankful today for:
Ordinary People
Living in the ‘burbs as I do, the only wildlife I tend to see is dead opossums–and an occasional live one–gators, raccoons, every so often a deer or two, armadillos (which I had no idea lived in Florida until I moved here), and a striking pair of bald eagles that live in the neighborhood and like to enjoy the view from the cell tower across the street.
But yesterday was an extraordinary day. I got to see this guy in our church parking lot–which is right across the street from my house.
He (or she, I have no idea how to tell the difference) is a barred owl. He stared directly at me as I slowly approached close enough to get a decent picture with my iPhone. Thank goodness for the zoom feature.
And though I didn’t get to see them, David said he saw a big ol’ mama wild boar and four or five boar-lets straggling along behind her, and then he saw an otter, all before he left the property at his office.
I have a birdbath in my yard that has only been visited once by one lonely mourning dove. And I had a bird feeder that the squirrels enjoyed.
An occasional bunny, red-tailed hawks, cardinals, mockingbirds, crows, wood storks, egrets, ducks. All pretty normal stuff.
But, as I was reminded by a very astute first grader yesterday, Joan of Arc and Martin Luther were just ordinary people that God chose to use in extraordinary ways. They had courage, faith and a desire to please God, but they weren’t born to privilege.
The occasional sighting of an extraordinary animal makes my day. The everyday sighting of ordinary people who could do extraordinary things for God makes His day as well.
“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love him?” (James 2:5 NIV)
Thankful today for:
66. Cool owls
67. Music
68. My eldest being able to get himself off to school at 6:30 a.m.
Be Patient, God’s Not Finished With Me Yet
It’s ironic to think that only when we die are we done. None of us reach perfection while we’re here on earth. The best we can hope for is strong character and what Peter talked about in his second letter: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins” (2 Peter 1:5-9, New International Version).
I know I expect more out of my kids. They say to me, “You probably argued with your brother and sisters when you were a kid.” “You probably didn’t clean your room when you were a kid.”
Frankly, I have very little memory of my early interaction with my siblings, but I can’t really picture a dirty room in my head. I don’t remember being at odds with my brother and sisters much of the time. But even if I did experience those things, I didn’t have the power of the Holy Spirit helping me. My kids do.
How often do I tell them, “Treat others the way you want to be treated”? How frequently do I remind them, “They will know we are Christians by our love, one for another”? How many times do I say, “Do not repay evil for evil, but repay evil with good”? In one ear, out the other. That’s what it feels like.
So, I pray maturity comes before permanent damage is done. And I try to remember the grace God gives me on a daily basis as He refrains from reminding me to be patient, to not judge others, do be generous and open-hearted.
I’m not in such great shape myself. And so we can all benefit by wearing a button that says, “Be patient; God isn’t finished with me yet.”
Thankful today for:
63, the life of Martin Luther
64. my back porch
65. pink roses
No Fear
For years and years I have struggled with anxiety. Before I became a follower of Jesus, I didn’t know what to do about it. I would feel sick to my stomach and have terrible heart palpitations.
Since then, though, I would be frustrated that I didn’t feel instant peace when I prayed for it. Then
I learned a great secret: focus on God, not my situation. The advent of the iPod helped me tremendously as I created a playlist of songs that glorified God and helped me focus on who He is. Anytime I felt anxious, I would plug in that playlist and rest in the arms of my Savior.
Now, if I think I’m in a situation that might be anxiety producing, I am proactive, and start the music even before I feel the anxiety. And guess what? The instances of anxiety have greatly lessened.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.The one who fears is not made perfect in love” 1 John 4:18.
Perfect love, perfectly at peace. Ahhhhhhh.
Thankful today for:
I’ve been told that I already said what 59 was yesterday, so I’ll change it here:
59. candles
60. rain
61. horses
62. a night at home after a busy day
Matters of the Heart
I have heart issues. It used to totally freak me out, but the more often it happens, and the more that tests show there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong, the less it disturbs me. But still, it is my heart, so I can’t help but be a little uneasy.
It used to be very infrequent, but ever since I fully entered that wonderful world known as menopause, it’s pretty much been routine when hormones surge.
It happened last night. I woke up at 3:25 a.m. with my heart out of rhythm. It would take a few normal beats, but then it would quiver and jump and beat erratically. This went on for about 45 minutes, which is a relatively short time comparatively. Usually I can fall asleep, and by the time I wake up again, it’s back to normal.
Last night I had trouble falling asleep. I kept thinking, I have to be up at 6 a.m. to sing with the worship team. I’ve got to be able to
sleep!
Heart issues. They’re disconcerting when they’re physical; would that they would keep us awake at night if they were issues of our spiritual heart.
God, break my heart with the things that break Yours.
Amen.
Thankful today for:
57. The ability to sing
58. Clean water
59. Church potlucks
