Word Touches

I haven’t posted a writing quote in a while, but read one a couple of days ago that’s absolutely perfect for many of us who keep plugging away on our articles, books, blog posts, and more.  It’s courtesy of a man named Lewis Greer who’s also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. He included it as part of his response to a lesson in our online class this month – and I loved it so much I had to ask if I could steal it. He was nice enough to say yes. 🙂

Lewis wrote, “I have only a limited idea as to how God will use what I write, but I know He will not be able to use it if it is not written.”

 This is good for me any day, but especially on those days when I have the ideas in my head but don’t sit down and write because I have “real work” to do … or I need to buy groceries … or the kids have piano lessons … or I’m just too tired … or … or … or. You get the idea.

The thing I need to remember is that these ideas and stories and characters that clutter my mind didn’t come from me. The desire to write fiction didn’t come from me. And the reason I’m doing it – isn’t for me.

For whatever reason only He knows, God has called me to write. Sure, I spend my days writing things for work that help pay the bills. But He’s also called me to write other things that might help someone’s heart.

A little girl who feels overlooked and ignored.

A middle school girl who’s trying to figure out how Sunday school faith works in the real world.

I don’t know who I’m ultimately writing for, but God does – and that’s what counts. I think I’m going to add Lewis’s quote to the collection over my computer to help keep me going on those tired/crazy/overloaded days when it’s easy to shove my writing aside. Maybe it’ll help me remember Who I’m doing this for in the first place.

But how about you? Even if you’re not a writer, I think just changing a word or two in what Lewis said makes it apply to everyone. How about, “I only have a limited idea of how God will use what I [do/say/teach], but I know He will not be able to use it if it is not done.” What do you think?