Blogger and Writer: Capturing Stories of God's Grace
Thanks to everyone who participated in our conversation about writing here.
Congratulations to commenter #2 . . . Holly! You are the winner of the red journal!
{Holly, I’ll send you a separate message about getting the journal to you.}
Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The word is love. You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for.
Ray Bradbury
Just a reminder: We’re reading The Light between Oceans for this month’s book club. We’ll be discussing it on April 29, and I’d love to have you join us. No, who am I kidding–I’m so dying to talk about about this book that I practically need duct tape to keep my mouth shut about it until then!
{Warning: This book may cause emotions!}
See more about the book and the book club here.
I’m heading to the Festival of Festival of Faith and Writing later this week, which is essentially a three-day binge on books and writing. I always come back feeling refreshed and reminded why I’m in love with words. In anticipation of the festival, here’s my list of signs that you’re a writer.
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In honor of writers everywhere, I’m giving away a writing journal today. It was made in Thailand by precious women who are trying to get on their feet again after being exploited and trafficked. You can find out more about Women at Risk’s ministry here, and you can find more products like this journal here.
To be eligible to win this journal, simply answer this question: What do you think makes someone a writer? How have words made an impact in your life?
I’m cited to offer another FREE PRINTABLE with one of my favorite quotes about grace. Simply save the image to your computer and print. Image is 8×10 and ready to frame. (Special thanks to Sarah Parisi for the lovely photography and design!)
I am weary. Is anyone with me?
The laundry is piling up. The sink is full of dirty dishes. The work deadlines are looming. My to-do list is spilling off the page. The technology that promised to make my life easier has just added more items to my list. Oh, and apparently dinner is a thing again today.
Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to Jesus’ words about how our souls can find rest in him:
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
—Matthew 11:29
As hopeful as that sounds—rest for my soul!—I don’t entirely get it. Isn’t a yoke a symbol of work, not rest? I picture the oxen working the field with that wooden bar across their backs. If I wanted to paint a picture of rest, I’d describe a hammock gently swinging between two trees or a lounge chair on a tropical beach. Somehow the image of oxen doing heavy plowing doesn’t seem to me like the picture of soul-rest.
But recently I attended a conference by Lysa TerKeurst, who described what Jesus’ audience would have understood when he described this scene. Apparently when Jesus said “learn from me” in this context, he was referring to the process where a young, untrained ox would learn to pull a load from a more experienced animal. They shared a yoke so the younger ox could get a feel for what it felt like to pull, but the entire burden was placed on the older ox. Then the two oxen would walk together, side by side, until the young animal gradually grew stronger.
And so it is for us. Soul rest doesn’t mean we escape our reality and our responsibilities. God doesn’t give us a free pass from the things we’ve been called to do. But it does mean he carries the weight for us—the burden is on him. Our job is to walk closely with him, right by his side. It means we are never alone as we carry out the big and small tasks he asks us to do.
There may not be fewer loads of laundry. The dirty dishes may not go away. But maybe I can do these tasks with joy, knowing he’s standing right beside me at the sink, in the laundry room. Maybe my to-do list will seem less daunting, knowing that he’s helping me task by task, day by day.
My burden may not be smaller. But someone stronger is walking through it right beside me. And he’s the one doing all the heavy lifting.
For anyone who has ever felt guilty about their overdue library books . . .
You may have kept Divergent a few days past the due date, but this post should assuage your fears. These books were returned several decades late: Ridiculously Overdue Library Books That Were Finally Returned
For anyone who has wanted justice for a literary hero . . .
What if literary villains were tried in an actual court? Here’s what their sentences would be in real life: Leading Villains in Children’s Literature Enter Legal System
For anyone who needs a laugh today . . .
A German retirement community recreated scenes from famous movies to hilarious results. I hope to have this much spunk someday: Retirement Community Movie Calendar
For anyone who is feeling weary . . .
Shauna Niequist says, “I used to be spontaneous and silly, warm and whimsical. I used to dance in the kitchen and eat cake for breakfast with my kids.” More Love, Less Hustle
For all you book lovers out there . . .
If it’s a good book, I’ll read it just about anywhere. But I wouldn’t complain about having a nook like one of these: 10 Terrific Reading Nooks
I’m over at Pick Your Portion today, writing about beauty and worship. Is there a place for making things beautiful? Or is God purely practical?
A friend of mine has a gift for seeing beauty and then capturing it with the lens of her camera. She can catch a particular scene, in a certain light, with just the right color pattern, and she somehow manages to tell a whole story through the images. She can capture the joy of a couple on their wedding day, the pink-toed wonder of a newborn baby, the golden glow of a field of daffodils.
When she and I chatted the other day, she was reflecting on her career choice. “I feel passionate about what I do,” she said. “But sometimes I wonder if it really makes a difference. I mean, some people help the underprivileged or teach God’s Word or serve on the mission field. And here I’m just making things pretty.”
But as I read today’s passage from Exodus 37, I’m struck by God’s affirmation of beauty—and those who create it.
You can keep reading here.
Last fall I posted a list of 9 Books Every Girl Should Read. I received some great feedback from people who said, “Hey, what about the books all kids should read?” So here’s my list of books every kid—girl or boy—should read.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
This book truly takes children (and adults) into another world. Once they’ve been to Narnia, they’ll never view this world the same way again.
[The Professor:] Don’t go trying to use the same route twice. Indeed, don’t try to get there at all. It’ll happen when you’re not looking for it. And don’t talk too much about it even among yourselves. And don’t mention it to anyone else unless you find that they’ve had adventures of the same sort themselves. What’s that? How will you know? Oh, you’ll know all right. Odd things, they say—even their looks—will let the secret out. Keep your eyes open.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee has a gift for creating three-dimensional characters that come to life on the pages of this book. Thanks to Scout, the ultimate precocious narrator, and Atticus, the ultimate quiet hero, this book manages to tell a winsome story about a weighty topic.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
This book is pretty much philosophy disguised as a children’s book, yet it still holds up as an engaging story in its own right.
Here I am, footsore and hungry, tramping away from it, tramping southward, following the old call, back to the old life, the life which is mine and which will not let me go.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
I read this book countless times as a kid, and each time I hoped in vain for a different ending. Tear jerker though it may be, Rawls paints an endearing picture of a boy who doesn’t have much going for him other than his determination—but that proves to be enough.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter once said, “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” That’s precisely how you feel when you read her stories—like something delicious is about to happen.
A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
This is the book that taught me to love poetry even before I could understand it. (Not that I get it all that much now. . . .) My dad would read these poems to me from a picture book with lush illustrations, and I remember wishing I could somehow climb into the pages.
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
“Why did you do all this for me?” [Wilbur] asked. “I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.”
“You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. “That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
Can you imagine a more poignant portrayal of friendship than that?
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
As delightful as the movie is, it doesn’t come close to the charm and fantasy of the book. I should note that the book is decidedly creepier than the movie, but I was so taken by the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, and the other characters who became my friends down the yellow brick road that I didn’t mind too much.
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
My mom read this series to my brother, my sister, and me when we were kids. It’s one of those rare series that is accessible for a broad range of ages and can be enjoyed by both boys and girls. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to my parents, but just in case, I felt like Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny prepared me for life in an abandoned train car, should the need arise.
What were your favorite books as a kid? What’s missing from this list?
Happy reading to you, whether you’re young, or young at heart!
Congratulations to commenter #4, Stephanie . . . the winner of Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle!
Thanks to everyone who participated in our discussion (see this post if you missed it). And may God bless all the little people and all the mams in our lives.
(Stephanie, I’ll send you a private message about getting the book to you.)
My niece Addie (aka the cutest, pudgiest 15-pound bundle you ever laid eyes on) was baptized last month. Daniel and I had the privilege of playing the role of not only Aunt Eppie and Uncle Daniel Dude but also the godparents.
I’ve already figured out that Addie has much to teach me about faith and love and trust. Jesus said as much himself: “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children” (Matthew 19:14).
But when we stood in the front of the church vowing to love this child and model Christlike lives for her, it felt like such a daunting task. Addie, I silently telegraphed to her, I don’t have this thing called life figured out yet. How can I ever teach you what it means to follow God when I still have so much to learn myself?
She just stuck her tongue out at me in that goofy way of hers, as if to remind me that the two of us have a long while to figure this out together. But for now, I started a list, writing down the blessings I want for my Addie-girl.
To Addie Mae, on the occasion of her baptism, February 15, 2014
- May you know the joy of loving and being loved. And when your heart gets broken, may those cracked places only deepen your capacity for love.
- May the soundtrack of your life be laced with laughter. And may you know, too, that it’s okay to cry.
- May your feet be swift for running and may they know when it’s time to rest.
- May you know you are fearfully and beautifully made, just the way you are.
- May you discover the secret that the best gifts are the ones you give away.
- May you always chase after God, even as you know he is really the one chasing after you.
- May you have friends who speak the truth to you and friends who help you up when you fall down.
- May you know when to stay strong and when to surrender.
- May you have eyes to see the mystery and wonder of this world God has made.
- May you sync your heart to God’s heartbeat for the lost, the hurting, the underdog.
- May you always hear God’s voice whispering the way you should go.
- May you find, when the storm rages around you, that God is your shelter.
- May you know that there is nothing you can do to stop God from loving you, nothing so bad you can wear out his grace, and nowhere you can go beyond his reach.
- And from this day forward, until you stand by his side, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May he smile on you and be gracious to you. May he show you his favor and give you his peace.
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I’m giving away a book I love today—Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle (aka Big Mama)! This book about motherhood will make you laugh and it will make you cry—quite often on the same page.
For your chance to win, simply answer this question in the comment section:
What is one blessing you would want for the children in your life?
Be sure to submit your answer by Monday, March 17!