This past Saturday, I locked up my apartment at 7:20 and-with my mom and sister in tow-headed to the car. It was a blustery morning, barely ten degrees. The forecast promised snow. But as we navigated the fifty plus miles from Glenwood to Henning, the overcast sky lightened. As I drove, I marveled at the beautiful hills of the central Minnesota countryside, and I prayed God would give me peace and clarity to share at Write, Sisters, Write.
When we arrived at Cornerstone Church, we found the receiving hall warmly decorated. Marlene, the pastor’s wife, had coffee and goodies ready, along with journaling materials and stickers with encouraging Bible verses for women to take. My mom and I chatted with Stephanie Jorgenson, the children’s author who would also be speaking at the event.
At 9:00, Marlene began the event with a song and a prayer. Then I was called forward to speak. I lugged my stack of books and my prepared script to the front of the room. I laughingly told the audience that I’m not the best public speaker and would try not to just read off my paper the entire time.
But as I began to share about my novels, something happened. I warmed to my topic. The ladies in the audience had open expressions, and I found myself sharing the way I would with a close friend.
I spoke about some of the challenges I had walked through in my early to mid-twenties. I was honest about how my passion for writing and promoting my books had faded, and I wasn’t sure if God still wanted to use me as a writer.
By this point, I had completely set down my prepared script. I was no longer afraid. By the grace of God, I was able to clearly speak without stuttering, without shaking. For me, this was a miracle!
I shared the reason I’d felt led to speak at this writing event: An elderly friend had been in the hospital, and when I’d gone to visit her, I found her with my novel Reckless Love. Even in intensive care, she said she was unable to put my book down until she’d finished it. Her selflessness touched me deeply and made me realize God isn’t done using my writing yet! As I shared this story with the crowd, I also encouraged the ladies to take their emotions, their struggles, and their questions to the Lord and write them out to Him.
I will always remember Jenny, a sweet lady from the church who came up to me after the event was over. She asked to buy one of my books, and she told me how I had encouraged her. “You were so open and honest. All of the things you shared were encouraging to me and will help me in my life.”
All I can say is, speaking at Write, Sisters, Write was healing for me. It makes me want to write again, and though I don’t know what to write or how, I trust God to guide me forward on this journey.
Write What You Live 