June Blog Chain

I hope you have been inspired by the recent posts of my fellow Christian writers. We all are gifted in different ways. What a boring world we would have if we all wrote the same way. I lean toward the devotional aspect of writing, as you well know. For this post, I am going to stretch my wings and share with you how I am inspired to write. I hope you enjoy this personal sharing—Fresh Air is our June topic-- my post is called

“My Writing Inspiration”

Believe it or not my first writing was poetry. I loved the rhythmic sounds how poems flowed in words and emotions. Out of rhyming words my vocabulary grew into longer sentences. I didn't study poetry forms; I don't know a free form from a non-free form. I've always tried to rhyme the ending words. Perhaps it was all those nursery rhymes I heard growing up. 

I think that is why I love music so much. Lyrics are poetry set to music. I was never much for the name of an artist or group, but give me the first few notes and I could name that tune.

Growing up in Southern California has its advantages, namely the beaches. My parents were beach bums in their younger days. Just about every weekend we'd travel the twenty minutes to the shore. Back in those days you could have bon fires, so cook outs on the beach were our special treat.

The roar of the waves has always intrigued me. Growing up I found solace in their thunder more than once. You could scream, yell, cry or curse; no one could hear you but God. Whenever a big decision plagued me, I would head for the beach. Sometimes I just needed to hear the sounds of the waves to reassure me that I was still alive.

I discovered other places that gave me a sense of well-being, a visit to the mountains or the desert. In the mountains, the majestic beauty overwhelmed my sights and senses. Green meadows, meandering creeks, trees so tall you couldn't see the top. The fragrance of pine needles in the heat of summer is quite exhilarating. 

You may question the desert as a place of refreshment, but the absolute stillness is breathtaking. The golden mounds with a cloudless sky as backdrop, felt surreal at times. Appearing devoid of life, if you move too fast you'll miss it. Life blossoms in the desert. Not much to draw your attention away. No wonder the Israelites were led through the desert first.

I left California over twenty years ago, along with my favorite places. So where does my inspiration come from? It comes from the same places it always has—from the Word of God. With a Word God spoke all of creation into existence. There is nothing made that He did not make. It doesn't matter where I live, near the ocean, mountains or desert, God is not far away. He is constantly available. “The heavens declare His workmanship”

In those days before I met Jesus, I needed those places to hide. The beach for the roaring waves, reminds me of my restless soul searching for God. In the forests for their overwhelming beauty, I wanted so much for their beauty to be translated in me. I didn't feel lovely or beautiful. The desert reminded me of the emptiness of my life without God. 

In all those places, God was there, calling me to trust Him. Come to him and let Him fill the void in my life. I praise Him because He never quit calling. It was through the wonder of His creation that I finally woke up and responded to Him.

As an artist, I've always been a sensitive type. Beauty and pain have always moved me in profound ways. Writing is the only way I know how I express myself. Like a painter who expresses themselves with canvas and paint, I express my innermost thoughts through words.

I've heard some writers agonize over articles for days, weeks or even a month, unable to get the words right. There have been times when I try to force the words and nothing will come, ideas are stagnate, nothing I would be happy to publish. It's then when I realize I am trying to go it alone, and then I return to my source.

The Holy Spirit is my writing partner. I wait for His prompting on a subject. Then I meditate and pray and the words flow.

I still find nature as a place of refreshment and peace, but these days I travel as far as my front steps or back porch, in the fresh air. There I still my heart, close my eyes, breathe deep. Listening to the sounds of life and I begin to praise the Lord. I am refreshed and inspired for my next Blog post, story idea or book.

Just a couple scriptures I hold on to when I lose sight of things:

“Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins. Then wonderful times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord.  (Acts 3:19-20 NLT)

“Be still and know I am God” (Psalms 46:10)

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