With the darkened months of winter upon us, I’ve had to get up earlier and read out in the main part of the RV, for better lighting and less chance of dozing off. This weather makes me sleepy, with the rain steadily tapping on the roof, along with the wind rustling through the trees overhead. When you are curled up in your bed, amidst a pile of fluffy blankets and pillows, with a warm cup of tea in hand, it is way to easy to just steal a little nap. 

While I don’t buy into the whole resolution thing, I do believe that it is healthy for one to do seasonal self checks, as I like to refer to them. Change is good for us, even though it isn’t always easy or fun. As a writer, being stagnant or complacent can be a real hinderance to literary growth and expansion. Probably the only thing I can fully grasp onto, as something that needs improvement for the coming year, is my creative spontaneity… I spend more time than I should on my own editing and rewriting before publishing… this isn’t rocket science! 

The challenge set for this year is to loosen my brain muscles, allowing myself to write more easily, off the cuff, as one might say. Last year my challenge had been to write every day, to answer each Daily Prompt without being negative or flippant, and to stretch my little grey cells by writing outside the box… or outside the norm! Looking back over this last year has left me feeling pretty darn positive about the changes and growth that I see. There is still much to be done, however, requiring more change and growth on my part, if I’m to hone my God given abilities.

You may or may not have noticed anything different in the way I write, but I’ve enacted a new style of writing for myself… off the cuff… on the fly… Live moment by moment! What I’ve done in the past has been to write things several days ahead of posting so that I can be organized, but I want to learn to stretch myself to writing with no 48 hour safety net. You may see some typing errors, here or there, possibly even a bit fragmented sometimes… but practice makes perfect and I intend to practice! Where better to practice than with the people I love and trust for encouragement?!

The new schedule that I’ve employed, allows me to go into the draft board each week and put in, what I call framework, but are basically themed titles, along with a picture that acts like a thought bubble. Other than that, nothing else really gets to be created in the post until the morning it’s to be written. I need to learn to trust myself in what I’m writing, as well as to get the whole idea out first and then go back to do the editing. In the past I’ve tended to edit as I write, which makes it very difficult to let thoughts flow, and that has to change. 

I’m nearly halfway through writing Brutus and I think I’ve hindered myself by trying to build a novel from the ground up at the same time as telling the story that is pounding in my brain to get out! I keep hearing the thought, “Just tell his story and worry about the rules later”… you figure out who is the author of that thought or voice, I say it’s God, but everybody already knew I would.

Live Wire Sundays will continue, as I absolutely love sharing what I’m learning in the word, and you guys have all kind of become my Study Buddies. Beginning next week, we will begin journeying through the mountains the Israelites faced and learning about ourselves at the same time, hopefully. My prayer is that when you visit the Lobby on Live Wire Sundays, you feel like we are sitting together side to side learning, as I’ve no intention of preaching at anyone and am nowhere near educated enough to attempt explaining theology… that is for Universities and Seminaries! 

My wish is not to lecture people, nor do I want you thinking I GOT THIS… because, ladies and gents, I DON’T! What I desire is your fellowship… your time and your love… that’s it! 

If we are the Church, then it should stand to reason that we find a place to fellowship with other parts of the Church, making us all fit together like a puzzle… so that’s what I try to do in the Lobby. I wish to have an atmosphere of love, acceptance and understanding towards every soul that walks through the entryway, as there is no doorway installed. 

The verses below sort of sum up where my heart is and what I believe I’m being called to do…

“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” Romans 14:19

 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians” 4:8

Have a beautiful day my sweet family… let’s make 2024 a year of love, joy and laughter… sprinkled with a bit of hope, a dash of understanding for others, and a big cup of grace for a world in need of all of the above. I’ve been watching you all and I have faith in you because I see your hearts… you are just like me… children of the Almighty!