LIMPING WORDS
As I come to my blog, I find myself without words. Sometimes it is easy to think of a topic and the words come quickly. Other times my mind can’t come up with a thing, and it seems my words are limping along.
Since I want my blog to be an encouragement to others and point to God I try to remember to pray each time before I write. I want my words to reflect truth and to share from my own experience rather than spout platitudes.
This morning, after praying and reading a psalm, I decided to look through some of my documents to see if I could glean anything to share. I came across this poem I wrote in response to a writing challenge shared this past April by Beth Morey. Her prompt was limping words.
MY LIMPING WORDS
I call myself a writer but
often when I sit to write the
words seem far away
I wonder if I really have
a thing of worth to say and then
doubts begin to come
I start to write with limping words
what I have learned in life and soon
strength comes to my voice
I call myself a writer and
when I doubt I will remember
my words have a place
~gsw~
SHOW UP EVERY DAY
Do you ever feel that way? Whether a writer or another kind of job, I suspect we all have doubts sometimes as to our ability to put forth good work. Sometimes all we can do is take baby steps. It may not seem like enough, but every little bit of progress helps.
What is important is that we are faithful to show up every day, even if we don’t get very far. Because God has given each of us gifts, He will give us the strength and grace to use them and accomplish what He has called us to do.
Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person.
One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.
LIFE IS A JOURNEY
Life is a journey. Sometimes the road will be clear and we will move along quickly. Other times there are roadblocks that make us slow down or even come to a complete stop. There are times of waiting and times of moving forward, times of happiness and times of grief.
It may look like things will never change and we are stuck, but if we look hard enough we will find that there is still hope. We may face trials that seem too hard, but if we keep showing up and persevere we will find hope and have peace as we trust in God.
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.
This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
REMEMBER THIS
Whatever we do, whether our words and actions are crawling, limping along or going at full speed, we are making progress. So take time to stop today and notice where you are. Breathe deeply, relax, rest and then move at your own pace. The goal is out there and we will make it one step at a time.
I’m linking up with: #InspireMeMonday, #TrekkingThru, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #porchstories, #HeartEncouragement, #TuneInThursday, #BVNetworkParty, #FreshMarketFriday
Thanks for these encouraging words, Gayl. I can identify with them along with doubts about my writing. Completing my first book (Bring Me A Vision) was a time of taking back territory for all the doubts that came from within and some whose words fed those doubts years ago and caused me to not write anything for 10 years. Thanks for the honesty you shared here.
Pam, thanks so much for your encouragement. I’m glad you have completed your book. That’a a big accomplishment! I didn’t write for a long time even though I loved it. I guess I was just too busy raising kids. I was 60 when I finally started writing a lot more and started my blog! It’s never too late. 🙂 Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl,
I am so thankful that you are always so willing to share your heart with us here. Your words and your poems just seem to fall right in the middle of my days also. I often struggle with doubts about whether I should share my writing, but God is so good to keep pressing us forward with Him. I love those Scriptures that you shared–He is the One who calls us to share the heart that He has placed within us. I am so thankful for your friendship and encouragement dear sister! Hugs, love and blessings to you today!
Dear Bettie,
You and I do have similar needs and happenings in our lives. God knew we needed each other’s encouragement. I’m so glad our paths have crossed. You are a blessing! Love, hugs and blessings to you, too! xo
Thank you, Gayl. I needed this reminder that our writing is a ministry and should, therefore, be saturated with prayer. Our words are an offering to God and to our readers.
Michele, I often need that reminder, too, that I need to be praying about the words I share here on the blog each week. And you are right, those words are an offering to God and our readers. Blessings to you! xo
Thank you for these words of encouragement. Timely, as you know. Blessed by your honesty, Gayl. Sending love and thank you for providing this space to share and read blog posts.
Thank you, Anna. I am glad you were blessed. You are such a blessing and encouragement to me. Love, hugs and blessings to you! xoxo
Dear Gayl, thank you for your transparency. It helps others to feel less alone with their struggles. I can definitely relate to this post. Limping is an apt description of my journey back to blogging! These words truly resonate in my soul: “So take time to stop today and notice where you are. Breathe deeply, relax, rest and then move at your own pace.” Wisdom indeed, and such encouraging thoughts, which give us permission to rest and relax, no matter how we are situated. Bless you, my friend. May the creative well soon be filled to the brim. xoxo 💜
Dear Joy, thank you for your encouragement. I love how God uses us to comfort and encourage each other, how our words can be just what the other needs to hear. God’s timing is perfect. I have to constantly remind myself to slow down, breathe and not worry when things don’t get done when I think they should, incl. my writing. I pray that we will be sensitive to God’s leading and that He will fill us with His love and that it will flow out through our creativity. Many blessings to you, Joy, with much love! xoxo
Gayl, hi! One step at a time, one day at a time, doing the next right thing, following the Lord’s direction. Yes and amen …
Hi Linda! Glad you stopped by. Yes, one step at a time….. Blessings to you!
Some days, it’s not just my words that limp! Thank you for the reminder that every step forwards is positive movement—and that we don’t have to do it alone!
Anita, I know what you mean. Some days I feel like my whole body is limping. But yes, each step forward counts and we aren’t alone. Blessings to you!
Thanks Gayl. Your quotes were really inspiring, and this post very thoughtful. Just moving forward with positivity can sometimes be hard in this rush, harried world. #MLSTL
Thank you, Jo. I’m glad you were inspired. Yes, I agree, sometimes moving forward and being positive can be very difficult. It’s good to know we are not alone. Blessings to you!
Thank you. I needed to read this poem today. I’m kinda there, right now!
Thank you, Jamie. Never forget that you had a big part in my beginning to blog and actually start writing again! Much love to you with many blessings, my dear daughter! xoxoxoxo
I’m your neighbor over on #PorchStories this week. Stopping by to say hello.
Thanks for visiting, Calleen! Blessings to you!
I love your “limping words”. God is good to provide words or whatever else we need. We just need to turn to Him first before we begin. Thank you for sharing this at #TellHisStory.
Thank you, Mary. Yes, He does provide what we need, when we need it. We need to “bathe” our words in prayer. Blessings to you!
Gayl, your post was meant just for meeeeeeeeee! LOL.
You were my neighbor today at Crystal’s for a reason.
I am with you on not desiring of the platitudes.
And yes — showing up every day even if it’s
not what I thought. But giving my best is all
I can do.
Blessings!
I’m glad you were encouraged, Meg and glad you were my neighbor! 🙂 Sometimes it’s hard to show up every day, esp. when it’s totally different than we thought it would be. But that’s where trusting God comes in. We may not understand the circumstances but He does. Blessings to you, dear friend!
I like your last statement Gayl…. the goal is out there & we will reach…it one step at a time!
Amen!
Jennifer
Yes, Jennifer, we just have to keep showing up and putting one foot in front of the other, trusting God to give us strength. Blessings to you! Have a great weekend.
“Whatever we do, whether our words and actions are crawling, limping along or going at full speed, we are making progress.” Love this advice, Gayl. And also “one step at a time.” Sometimes that’s all we have in us. But that is enough!
Thank you, Lisa. Yes, we need to remember that we can’t always go as fast as we want, but any effort is important. Thanks for visiting! Blessings to you!
Yep, just keep moving forward!
That’s the best thing we can do! 🙂 Blessings to you, Kelly!