Losses
When we meet, my writers group, Scribettes, chooses prompts to aid in our writing. This week, I chose to write about “how have you grown this year?” Well, I have to say that this past year has been confining, confusing and mostly just plain difficult. Would you agree?
On the one hand, as a writer, being confined at home really didn’t make a lot of difference. I just kept plugging along doing what I always do—planted in front of my computer in my home office.
Relationships were a bit harder to manage. We all moved from face-to-face to screen face. While that was better than total isolation, it did not replace hugs.
Adjustments
So—how to adjust?
I struggled with computer data/internet issues. How could I stream all that I had to stream without running out of data or internet? Or, as it turned out, costing more and more money? I am still struggling with this one. It is certainly an area of growth for me. I don’t really understand this techy stuff, but I am definitely on a quest to make this work.
Conferences have moved online. It’s a blessing. Costs stay down—yay! I can stay home and not have to dress up, except where it shows. (Though I understand there is some danger here as to what people see in your house, so stay put at your desk!) I can see people, talk with them in real time, watch and hear the speakers, do workshops. I love it.
The downside is that I miss greeting old friends I haven’t seen since the last conference with hugs. Or going to lunch or dinner with them to catch up on our lives and latest writing projects.
Is this growth, or just adjustment?
Get Real
I think I have grown lazier in taking the paths of least resistance. Anyone with me, here? My default is to grab a book, get comfy and read for hours. I love to read. I can time travel, go to school or the beach, or solve a mystery.
The stories always intrigue me. I’d even say they call to me and keep me up way past my bedtime. That means, of course, a slow start the next morning. And a new book to start.
But this is not how God intended we should live our lives. All good things should be enjoyed in moderation, right? But what if there is no one to hold you accountable?
Need God
I’ve learned how much I need God. How much I need His Word. How much I need to follow His instructions.
I wrote my first book, Upheld In The Battle, about spiritual warfare. I think I need to go read it. I need to pull my thoughts captive. I need to re-learn how to hide in the cleft of the Rock once again. I need to re-train my eyes to look for the Standard in the battle. Jehovah-Nissi. God Is My Banner.
I am realizing that once I learn something, it does not stay learned unless I am conscious of it. I must study it constantly, live with it. I must be active to hold truths before me and not forget.
I must make it a habit to don my spiritual armor every day. This last year of Covid, political upheaval, and personal scuffles sure makes that a front and center daily necessity.
I’m not sure I can claim growth over this last year. It seems to have been one of huge struggles.
One thing stands tall and clear, however. Faith. I must keep my eyes on Jesus. He is the only Way through.
“I Am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV).
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