SEARCH
Search is the prompt word for #FiveMinuteFriday and also for Day 28 of #write28days. This has been quite a busy month of writing, but I have enjoyed it. The discipline of writing every day helped me to hone in more on my writing style and confirm my desire for this blog.
My goal continues to be that of encouraging others and pointing to our loving God, who is full of mercy.
In Him I find joy even in the hard times.
LOOKING FOR WORDS
For inspiration, I took time to search definitions and synonyms, scriptures, photos and my art journals.
Sometimes I had to do a lot of thinking, searching and praying. I even recruited a couple of friends to pray, read my drafts and give advice.
If the words didn’t come right away, I knew that I needed to wait. Sometimes I needed to search my heart. Other times there were certain conversations I needed to have in order to prepare me for the writing that day.
When the writing was done for the day, I still searched for the right photograph or art page to use. If I could not find one that specifically fit, I would look for one that would work well to overlay with a scripture from the blog post.
The whole process taught me that even in writing, God’s timing is best.
SEARCH FOR GOD’S PRESENCE
I discovered something else this month, too, about the presence of God.
It’s not that I doubted His presence with me; it’s the fact that I became more aware of it. Joining The Presence Project was a good step, because it encouraged me to be intentional about seeking God’s presence.
First, because of participating in The Presence Project, I was more aware of God’s leading in my writing for #write28days. I learned that it didn’t do any good to worry about the words, because that would not make them come any faster. If anything, the worry would drive them away. When I chose to relax and wait, the words came when they were needed.
Second, because I took the writing seriously, the prayers and conversations with two close friends and other family members were crucial in my awareness that I was not just writing for myself.
I needed to be intentional to write words that were true out of my own experience, not just spout off Christian cliches.
So I became more aware of God’s leading in the writing.
Lastly, the #write28days challenge itself became a search for God. The Presence Project, conversations with friends and family, scripture reading and prayer – all helped me become more aware of the presence of God in my life every day, moment by moment. I realized even more how much He means to me and how He loves and guides me.
Psalm 32:7-8 (CSB)
You are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. SelahI will instruct you and show you the way to go;
with my eye on you, I will give counsel.
As I was working on this post last night, I knew I would have to wait until morning to finish. But, before I shut down the computer this song came to mind. I hope it blesses you and reminds you that God fills a need we all have. No one or no thing can ever fill it completely except God.
You can find the rest of my series HERE.
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #Grace&Truth, #LMMLinkup, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory
This is beautiful, Gayl! Thanks for this special glimpse into your heart, mind, and spirit. I am aware that unless God leads me in what I write or share on my website, I am not interested in trying to “create” something. I know only His words and direction speak life and love.
Have a blessed weekend!
Thank you so much, Pam! I agree with you and want to be directed by Him in all I do. Blessings to you!
Love this! I’m learning to “get out of the way” and let God lead my writing. Really appreciate this reminder to follow God’s loving and merciful guidance.
Thank you, Judith. I think it’s an ongoing process to learn to “get out of the way” so God can lead us. And He is so merciful and loving. 🙂 Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting.
Yes, He is worthy and I know He is worth the search.
Yes, Amen, Rebecca. Blessings to you!
Love this!
Thanks so much, Tara! Blessings to you!
Oh Gayl I have loved what you have shared in this series! It’s been such a blessing to pray with you through it all. So often the Scriptures and words have been such gifts from the Lord, just what I needed to hear–I am so glad that God was leading you to share His heart! I hope you can have a few days of rest now, enjoying time with your family! Blessings, love, and hugs to you my dear poet/sister/friend! xoxo
Bettie, I’m so thankful for all your support during this month – your prayers, your words of encouragement, your advice – I appreciate it all. I’m glad I was also able to encourage you. 🙂 I do plan to take some time off from writing, though I want to post at least once a week. But I want to concentrate on clearing out clutter and making my home more welcoming. And yes, I will enjoy these visits with my family. 🙂 Blessings, love and hugs to you, too! xoxo
Gayl, your words have really resonated with me! I tend to churn and worry over my words and you’re so right that it serves to turn the flow off rather than on. Waiting isn’t usually my favorite thing but it makes sense that to be willing to wait on God’s timing is the way to be sure we are writing His message! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Cindy, I’m so glad to know I’m not alone in the tendency to overthink and worry over the words. I’m learning to wait, and this month has been very helpful in that. His timing is always perfect. I need to always remember that. Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting.
This is wonderful. I love how you walk us through your thought processes and the why. And I love that song! I remember singing it during worship chapels at college.
Thank you, Abigail. I think when I share these processes others can identify and then we can encourage each other. I have not sung that song in awhile, but when it came to mind I knew I needed to share it. It shares truth so beautifully. Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting.
Love this, Gayl, and the Scripture choices are perfect.
I recently learned to ‘relax into the search’ and came up with something I probably should have expected.
Pain is my paradise,
and war my avocation.
God didn’t need think twice
to choose my duty station.
The cancer that’s within me
is just another foe,
too far blind-stupid to see
that I’m glad to have a go.
I was bred for a life like this,
I know it fully here
and tho’ soft graces surely miss,
I’m not crying in my beer.
How you sing your final song
was in your heart all along.
Dear Andrew, thank you so much! You are really coming out with a lot of poems lately! I love it. Those last two lines – How you sing your final song was in your heart all along.” Wow, so true. Blessings to you!
I am searching for good news in the midst of some sad news our family had today. God has a plan and His way is best. I trust Him.
Oh, Melissa, I’m so sorry you had some sad news. May God grant comfort in the midst of the sadness. Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl, we don’t have to search far on your site to see a woman of great faith, one who is unafraid to be vulnerable to reveal her heart and her learning processes as she writes out of a depth of experience. This is such a beautiful post, so full of wisdom honed from waiting on God! Your insightful series has made clear the benefits of pausing and listening to His voice. I’m thankful for the inspiring and encouraging way you write, and how it frees up others to do likewise. You’re a trustworthy and gentle guide. Blessings, hugs and love to you, my friend! xoxo <3
Dear Joy, thank you so much for your sweet, encouraging words! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. You are also a blessing to me, and I’m so glad our paths crossed and we could become friends. Even across the miles, there is still a way to encourage and pray for and with each other. Blessings, love and hugs right back to you, dear Joy! xoxo
Hi Gayl. I love all of this. Your photos, the verses, the song, and your search and awareness of God’s leading in your writing. Thank you for all this encouragement! Love and blessings to you!
Trudy, thank you so much! I’m glad you were encouraged here. Love and blessings right back to you! xo