Encouragement from Others

I was so encouraged and blessed to have a “celebrity commenter” on my blog. I posted a comment on Renee Swope’s blog asking a question. I think that it might have been a rhetorical question not really needing an answer, but more of an inward self-examination, yet Renee replied to my question on her blog. It was such a blessing to me that I wanted to put it in my blog-journal to be able to refer back to the things she wrote. To have a wonderful writer offer encouragement to a fledgling is so encouraging and I know that there will be times when I’ll need to look at and reread her encouraging words. Here is my question and her response.

Renee,
Sometimes I think...There are so many wonderful writers and authors out there, how could I possibly contribute? But maybe in some way, with God's help, I can be an encouragement to others.

MaryLu, I completely understand how you feel. I felt that way for so long, and I still do when I walk through a bookstore. How could I say it any better or different then all of them? I had to come to a point where I was writing not for publication but simply for remembrance...simply to leave a legacy of my everyday journey with God. When I feel doubtful or discouraged, I remind myself that it's biblical to tell of the wonders of our God, to record it for a future generation, to leave markings along the way the way that others can follow as we follow Him.
The truth is, there is no one who can share the story God is writing in your life - but you! There is no one who can tell it the way you can. No one who sees Him the way you do, hears His thoughts towards you. And if He's gifted you to write then you need to write. Even if you are not sure you're gifted, ask yourself this: Does my heart come alive when I write? Are others impacted or encouraged by my words? If the answer is yes, then write girl write!

When I think back to my years in high school or college English, (I have to think hard that was more than 20 years ago!)it seemed that poetry and creative writing were my favorite subjects, (besides Marching Band and choir.) So it is amazing to me, though I don’t know why it should be, that those desires and feelings are still in me. I guess we are “hard wired” in such a way that our natural talents and gifts from God shine through.

So, I’m writing. Like Renee mentioned in her answer to me, much of what I write is indeed a historical document, for remembrance, a place to "put it down" so to speak. Through my writing, I hope that my words will be uplifting, that the funny stories of my children will cause someone to smile, and that through it all Jesus will shine through my text and be glorified.

Thank you again, Renee, your encouragement has helped me more than you will ever know.

Thank you Father, that you have given me the desire to lift up others with my words and direct them to you. May you make my words edifying and uplifting, make my writings be glorifying to you and lead others to a close personal relationship with you.