In my brokenness,
in my anguish,
withered leaves
strewn across
the back alleys
as despondent
as I've become.
Let me hear Your words
let them carry me
beyond the dismay
let them embrace my
weary frame
and lift me beyond
what I see.
"Child, you are mine
and you are so loved."
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me.
Psalm 66:20 (NIV)
Friday, September 28, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Walking over your work
Do you ever find yourself inside a writing spiral?
Sometimes we are so busy at being productive, that we lose sight of what is really important, our goals, our hopes, and how to obtain them. We are operating in a literary fog. There are times we need to take a step back and view our writing in a new light.
A great way to do this is to walk over your work.
Yes, you read that right. I am an advocate for walking on a daily basis. Now, before you stop reading and think, this is not for me, give me another chance. I’m not talking about doing a marathon. A simple short walk can benefit your writing.
Let me tell you why you benefit.
As you walk, your endorphins burst open like little rays of feel-good bubbles, causing you to feel better about yourself. When you feel better about yourself, you are more productive. When you’re more productive, you are able to create stronger prose.
But that’s not the only thing about walking that can help your muse. Walking is a great way to exercise (I know, I used to loathe that word once) and tone up those wayward muscles. Studies prove how healthy walking briskly is. But wait, there is more!
There is a spiritual side to taking a daily walk that can bring value to your writing. When you pray as you walk—prayers for yourself and for others—your world opens up. As you talk with God, you feel his presence. And what could be more affirming than to be in the presence of the Creator of Creativity?
To make your walk more effective, here are some tips.
Feet—Start your walk with a good pair of tennis shoes that fit. If they are too small or large, the discomfort of your feet will steal from your experience. Since your feet are doing the work, make sure they are happy.
Clothing—Perhaps, like me, you’ve been inside pounding on your computer all morning and have not been outside. Since yesterday was cool, you dress for your walk in a jacket and long-sleeved T-shirt. You head outside and immediately feel hot. Check the weather before walking so that you are wearing clothing suited for the temperature. Loose clothing works well.
Thanks and Praise—Once you have your pace set, and filled your lungs with fresh air, look around you. Hopefully, there are some trees or flowers, and you can start by thanking God for the beauty he has created. Move on to praise him for who he is. Thank him for giving you the desire to create and inspire through the written word.
Ask—Of course, you have questions you want to pose to him. They could consist of Why can’t I be published more? Or why can’t my writing make more money? If you are in the middle of a project, you might want to ask him to help you think clearly, come up with a new idea, a fresh market to pitch your work to, etc.
Expect—I was once praying over a sticky situation that involved my agent and lo and behold, right there on my walk, my agent called! The conversation went well, clearing up the situation. Never doubt that God will answer your prayers either on your walk or later. Expect God to bring you solutions for a difficult scene or plot, realistic dialogue, and a vibrant and renewed joy in your writing.
If you’ve read this far, I hope it’s because you are ready to embark on allowing a daily walk to benefit your creativity. You can start with walking three times a week for about twenty minutes and then increase to walking five to seven days a week over the course of the next months. Increase your time as well, building up so you walk about forty-five minutes (three miles) every day.
I also hope that your time of walking and praying over your work will make you a more prolific writer!
Until next time,
Alice
[First published at Christian Work at Home Moms]
Sometimes we are so busy at being productive, that we lose sight of what is really important, our goals, our hopes, and how to obtain them. We are operating in a literary fog. There are times we need to take a step back and view our writing in a new light.
A great way to do this is to walk over your work.
Yes, you read that right. I am an advocate for walking on a daily basis. Now, before you stop reading and think, this is not for me, give me another chance. I’m not talking about doing a marathon. A simple short walk can benefit your writing.
Let me tell you why you benefit.
As you walk, your endorphins burst open like little rays of feel-good bubbles, causing you to feel better about yourself. When you feel better about yourself, you are more productive. When you’re more productive, you are able to create stronger prose.
But that’s not the only thing about walking that can help your muse. Walking is a great way to exercise (I know, I used to loathe that word once) and tone up those wayward muscles. Studies prove how healthy walking briskly is. But wait, there is more!
There is a spiritual side to taking a daily walk that can bring value to your writing. When you pray as you walk—prayers for yourself and for others—your world opens up. As you talk with God, you feel his presence. And what could be more affirming than to be in the presence of the Creator of Creativity?
To make your walk more effective, here are some tips.
Feet—Start your walk with a good pair of tennis shoes that fit. If they are too small or large, the discomfort of your feet will steal from your experience. Since your feet are doing the work, make sure they are happy.
Clothing—Perhaps, like me, you’ve been inside pounding on your computer all morning and have not been outside. Since yesterday was cool, you dress for your walk in a jacket and long-sleeved T-shirt. You head outside and immediately feel hot. Check the weather before walking so that you are wearing clothing suited for the temperature. Loose clothing works well.
Thanks and Praise—Once you have your pace set, and filled your lungs with fresh air, look around you. Hopefully, there are some trees or flowers, and you can start by thanking God for the beauty he has created. Move on to praise him for who he is. Thank him for giving you the desire to create and inspire through the written word.
Ask—Of course, you have questions you want to pose to him. They could consist of Why can’t I be published more? Or why can’t my writing make more money? If you are in the middle of a project, you might want to ask him to help you think clearly, come up with a new idea, a fresh market to pitch your work to, etc.
Expect—I was once praying over a sticky situation that involved my agent and lo and behold, right there on my walk, my agent called! The conversation went well, clearing up the situation. Never doubt that God will answer your prayers either on your walk or later. Expect God to bring you solutions for a difficult scene or plot, realistic dialogue, and a vibrant and renewed joy in your writing.
If you’ve read this far, I hope it’s because you are ready to embark on allowing a daily walk to benefit your creativity. You can start with walking three times a week for about twenty minutes and then increase to walking five to seven days a week over the course of the next months. Increase your time as well, building up so you walk about forty-five minutes (three miles) every day.
I also hope that your time of walking and praying over your work will make you a more prolific writer!
Until next time,
Alice
[First published at Christian Work at Home Moms]
Sunday, September 16, 2012
God of Silence
There are days when we see you, God, in all that surrounds us----flowering gardens, gentle breezes, and the warmth of sunshine.
Other days, we walk without the awe of creation at all. Overpowering circumstances clutch us. Despair and fear make us blind to any grain of truth. Like being trapped inside a dark box, we grope for a way out. Bleakness is our food. We've forgotten how to smile, how to even praise with hope.
Although we long to be back in the sunshine, we are stumped because each day uncertainty blocks our steps.
On our bruised knees, we cry out. Why is there no answer, no respite from these tears of anguish? We look back on days gone by and wish for them.
Surely, you are working even in the silence. Surely, you will hear our cries for mercy, and we will be helped.
To you I call, O Lord, my Rock;
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who have gone
down to the pit.
Hear my cry fo mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.
Psalm 28: 1-2 (NIV)
Speak to all our broken places.
Other days, we walk without the awe of creation at all. Overpowering circumstances clutch us. Despair and fear make us blind to any grain of truth. Like being trapped inside a dark box, we grope for a way out. Bleakness is our food. We've forgotten how to smile, how to even praise with hope.
Although we long to be back in the sunshine, we are stumped because each day uncertainty blocks our steps.
On our bruised knees, we cry out. Why is there no answer, no respite from these tears of anguish? We look back on days gone by and wish for them.
Surely, you are working even in the silence. Surely, you will hear our cries for mercy, and we will be helped.
To you I call, O Lord, my Rock;
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who have gone
down to the pit.
Hear my cry fo mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.
Psalm 28: 1-2 (NIV)
Speak to all our broken places.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Are You Brokenhearted?
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." ~Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
I am brokenhearted today, God. I can feel my heart caving with each breath I take.
The rivers of life seem too swift for me and I fear losing my footing. And my sanity.
My cries sound dull to my ears because I've repeated them so often. You must be tired of hearing me.
And yet, you are close. You see my pain and hurt. You read my muddled thoughts. You know my frailty.
You want to rescue me.
In my weakness I gain strength from knowing that I have no one but you.
And you are enough.
God of creation, God of resurrection. God of my core.
Amen.
I am brokenhearted today, God. I can feel my heart caving with each breath I take.
The rivers of life seem too swift for me and I fear losing my footing. And my sanity.
My cries sound dull to my ears because I've repeated them so often. You must be tired of hearing me.
And yet, you are close. You see my pain and hurt. You read my muddled thoughts. You know my frailty.
You want to rescue me.
In my weakness I gain strength from knowing that I have no one but you.
And you are enough.
God of creation, God of resurrection. God of my core.
Amen.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Welcome!
Welcome to each of you for coming here and as we say in the South, "Bless your heart!"
You might not be feeling Southern or blessed, happy or content with life. You might be aching and pondering and wondering how you will live to see tomorrow.
I've been there. I've known and know anguish and all its many faces.
I've wrestled with God, doubted and cried out. My son Daniel was four when he died from cancer treatments. Losing him has impacted my life.
Since then I've traveled on rocky paths. I've been through many heartaches. I've spent time seeking God and finding him to be mysterious, yet faithful and merciful.
Broken Psalms is a place where we'll be looking at grief and loss through the lens of the biblical psalms. We'll acknowledge anguish and joy, suffering and salvation.
Join me! Sign up to be a "follower" and share this page with others.
May you be sustained on your journey.
You might not be feeling Southern or blessed, happy or content with life. You might be aching and pondering and wondering how you will live to see tomorrow.
I've been there. I've known and know anguish and all its many faces.
I've wrestled with God, doubted and cried out. My son Daniel was four when he died from cancer treatments. Losing him has impacted my life.
Since then I've traveled on rocky paths. I've been through many heartaches. I've spent time seeking God and finding him to be mysterious, yet faithful and merciful.
Broken Psalms is a place where we'll be looking at grief and loss through the lens of the biblical psalms. We'll acknowledge anguish and joy, suffering and salvation.
Join me! Sign up to be a "follower" and share this page with others.
May you be sustained on your journey.
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