Well, since it’s “I Love to Write Day, ” I just have to get back to my blog and write a post about writing. Have you written anything today? What did you write?
Today I was in my closet getting on my shoes to go pick up my kids at school, and I looked over and saw some old notebooks, my journals. There’s nothing spectacular about them; they’re only ink on white pages. But I flipped through one and saw where I’d recorded a few ordinary events, some snippets of conversations, and some of my wonderings — that simply turned Godward as prayers because I wrote them down.
This particular journal was from when my oldest son was five, so it was four years ago. What seemed like such a plain ol’ ordinary day then is important to me now. I wrote about how I’d taken my kids to an exhibit of their artwork after they’d been through a week of art camp. My son told me, “I’d better stand here next to my paintings in case anybody has any questions.” I’d forgotten to bring my camera, so I tried to memorize that moment then write it down with words.
Do you jot down things like that? It’s the most important thing you can do — record your memories with words. Some ladies are amazing with their awe-inspiring photo albums (I used to be one of those scrapbookers…used to be!) Now I’m too busy with other things. But I’m still my family’s historian.
You don’t need a fancy clothbound journal, though it’s nice to see your words wrapped between pretty covers. But I urge you to write something that only you and God know about. Pour out your heart to Him because He’s listening. Tell Him things you wouldn’t even dare blog about!
Then open up His love letter to you. I read these verses today: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77: 11, 12 NIV).
Your life and your family are God’s greatest works! When you write your musings down, it causes you to meditate on them — now and maybe years from now. I read one time in Terry Whalin’s blog one of his favorite quotes — maybe it’s a Chinese proverb: “He who writes tastes life twice.” Don’t you want to taste the good times twice? The fun little things that you’ll forget if you don’t write them down. And even the sad things — can be savored when you see how God met your needs.
Well, journal writing is the most important and my favorite — though blogging is fun too. As a “professional writer,” I’m thinking of two more people — my editor and my reader. Today I corresponded with an editor about a magazine article I turned in yesterday. It was hard work, a ton of interviews and notes and files, but I enjoyed piecing it together into a story. I also wrote a book review this morning, which forced me to think more deeply about a book I enjoyed. And I got another review copy in the mail, which I looked through while in the pick-up line (a great place to read). Someday, I’ll finish it and write my thoughts on it!
So, that’s my life today as a mom who writes. How about you? What happened to you today that seems mundane now, but might be something you’d want to “taste” again a few years from now?
Write about it!
