Friday, April 1, 2016

Born to be a Writer

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

Were you born to be a writer?
Ten months ago I was told I had a year to live, maybe two. My body was being consumed by tumors resulting from “Stage IV, aggressive, incurable metastatic prostate cancer.” It was a sobering statement.

Thoughts of my imminent death led me down paths I’d not considered before. My attention turned to getting my life in order and positioning my wife in a situation that would provide constant support after I died. This became my primary focus. Hardly a thought was given to writing.Today, my doctor tells me he expects I’ll be around for at least a decade. And he confesses his amazement that I’m in near remission. Amazed because my prescribed treatment is only designed to manage—not cure—my cancer. It’s “incurable.” Yet, he and I both know the Lord is responsible for my turnaround, and can cure me if He so chooses.

So what’s my cancer got to do with writing? My thoughts were consumed by what ifs, and my days by medical appointments and trying to figure out how I would pay for everything. It was a major distraction. I had no desire to write. I would sit with hopes of progressing on my manuscript, but the words didn’t come— my characters ceased to converse with me.

But the Lord didn’t let me quit. During my quiet times, He would tell me to share an insight He’d given me via Facebook. Like Peter, God gave me the words for my monthly post on The Write Conversation. He helped me through my fears and limitations because I’m supposed to write.

We all deal with various challenges
when we sit down to write.
We all deal with various challenges when we sit down to write. Most, thankfully, are not life threatening. But they do keep us from doing what we know we must.

Our world bombards us with myriad reasons to avoid writing— especially when we seek to express the joy of living godly lives. Writing for Him guarantees we’ll be attacked by His, and our, enemies.

Waking to a barrage of distractions can be discouraging. The list of things that must be done runs through our minds until we’re overwhelmed. Then we create good reasons why we cannot write today—and perhaps ever.

But there is hope. Our defeat is not inevitable.

The God who created us and led us to become writers is always more powerful than anything the devil or life throws at us. He reminds us that we’re created in love—unconditional, and more important to Him than all His other creations. He assures us that with His guidance, we can accomplish all the important things that must be done and write.

By following His path for our lives, we will get through every challenge we face. He will protect us from our enemies and ourselves. He’ll provide the ideas, the time, the words we need to write for Him. Regardless of anything we’ve ever thought or done, the Lord can turn things around for us—if we just let Him.

The truth is if we write for Him—if we seek to show the world the hope and love the Lord offers—then we were born to write.

My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. - Psalm 62:7 NLT

What do you think? Were you born to write? I really want to know. Let’s keep the conversation going.

TWEETABLES
We all face challenges when we sit down to write - @BDBrady007 (Click to Tweet)


Bruce Brady is an author, writer and playwright. His work has appeared in Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, www.ChristianDevotions.us, and on stage. Currently, Bruce is working on a Young Adult Novel about a boy who must deal with the death of his dad, being bullied, and helping his mom through her grief. His first five pages took third place in the ACFW South Carolina Chapter’s “First Five Pages” contest.

When he’s not writing, Bruce spends time learning from and helping other writers. He serves as Mentor of Word Weavers International’s Online Chapter, and as a member of Cross ‘N’ Pens, The Writer’s Plot, ACFW’s National and South Carolina Chapters.

“My dream is to entertain my readers and give them hope as they travel the rocky road of life.”

44 comments:

  1. Bruce, I'm thankful you received a positive revised medical report.

    Thanks for a great post that i will retread more than once. I, too easily, let life get in the way of writing as you said, not always life threatening, but still distracting.

    Blessings and hope for today, my friend.

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    1. Thank you, Sharon. I'm happy this may have helped you, and happy to know that I'm not alone.

      Blessings.

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  2. Woohoo! So glad that God has answered our prayers on your behalf. I'd say this good prognosis is marching orders to continue to write for God's glory. Apparently there are more than a few stories you still need to write! Rejoicing with you.

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    1. Thanks Lori. I appreciate your prayers, and look forward to seeing you at Blue Ridge. You'll be there, right?

      Blessings.

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  3. Love the good news Bruce. All those "distractions" and stuffs of life just give us more to write about! Looking forward to reading that book.

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    1. Thanks Marcia. I'm praying He lets me finish it soon.

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  4. Bruce, this post truly inspires me. I admire and honor you for your faith in God, your courage and your perseverance. I'm proud to know you and to know our God and how he loves us.
    I don't know if I was born to write. I think so because reading and writing of some sort have always been part of every job I've worked.
    I do know I am called by God to write. And I seek to please him and follow his lead every time I sit to write.
    Blessings on you.

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    1. Thanks Henry. To me, the call to write is proof of our being born to write because He knew our history before we were born. And may I add that I'm proud to know you as well.

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  5. So glad your report was good. I must be called or I would have given up over the last 18 months. They've not been life-threatening but certainly discouraging. I just keep taking baby steps...

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    1. Thanks Jennifer. Keep on keeping on. The enemy is just messing with you, knowing he can't beat God.

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  6. Happy dancing over your health report. You're an inspiration to this reluctant writer.
    Your message, "The truth is if we write for Him—if we seek to show the world the hope and love the Lord offers—then we were born to write." is another motivator of why writing is beyond ourselves. The Lord is the author of our stories and we are born scribes who have the freedom to honor Him by writing His stories.
    Write on, Bruce!

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    1. Thank you, Carolyn. I always value your view on my writing and communications in general. You inspire me. And, like you, I appreciate and enjoy being His scribe.

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  7. Praise God for the optimistic medical report! What a wonderful testimony of faith. I think when God knit me together in my mother's womb (Psalm 139), the Lord tucked inside my heart the desire to write. I wrote my first story at age 7, and have always dreamed about writing a book. That dream has come true with the official release of my first book. This was a "Father and son" project because God is the author and I'm the recording secretary.

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    1. Well said, David. Thanks for your prayers. I recently realized that I've been "writing" as long as I can remember. From childhood, I've filled much of my days imagining and acting out fantasies where I'm the good guy battling the bad guys. Probably why I love theater and movies. I'm very thankful God provided me with a wife who's happy living with Walter Mitty. ;-)

      Congratulations on your book. Keep on writing.

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  8. Dear Bruce, when we received the news of your stage 4 diagnosis I screamed and cried and stomped my feet. My heart was broken again for another dear one fighting that terrible disease. I'm so crazy excited that God has extended your life and is healing this friend of mine on this side of heaven. Looking forward to reading more from your fingertips and giving you a big hug when I see you again at a writers conference. Are you going to BR?

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    1. Dearest Andy. You know I love you, your heart for the Lord, and your passion for sharing His mercy with others. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. I'm excited about writing more for you to read, and seeing you at Blue Ridge. And my beautiful wife is excited about seeing you again also. We're also excited about soon being your nearby neighbor.

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  9. I'm so thankful for the Lord's healing in your life, Bruce. We are all blessed as a result. :) Great post!

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    1. Thanks Cathy. Your comment and your friendship mean a lot to me.

      Blessings.

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  10. Bruce. Happy to hear the "good report." He has etched something from this experience in your heart that will come out in words - words to honor Him. You were born to write. Me? I don't know. Sometimes I'm like Moses telling God my lips stammer. But He always comes back to remind me what He's created He perfects. I'm called to write because I'm "born again." In the second birth words sprang forth and had to be released some way, shape or form. Blessings

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    1. Thanks Christine. I appreciate your encouragement. As long as you keep coming back to your writing, you know you are doing what you were born to do. Your "stammering" comes from the enemy's attacks. He will keep attacking because he knows you are an effective warrior for God. Keep on writing and the devil will give up, like he did with Jesus in the wilderness.

      God bless you.

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  11. Awesome testimony. Thanks for sharing. God has truly blessed you and for that many are very thankful and also blessed. Keep up the great work.

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    1. Thanks Carol for the encouragement. I'm happy my post has touched you. There's no greater joy for me than serving Him.

      Blessings.

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  12. So thankful for the good report and for your beautiful words. Don't ever deny the gift God has placed inside you. You were born to write, and your life and testimony are an inspiration to all of us. Blessings to you, my friend. :)

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    1. Thanks Andrea. Your encouraging words mean a lot to me. I enjoy "working" for Him. I'm also thankful He placed you in my life. See you in May.

      Blessings to you as well.

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  13. Bruce, I am thankful for your wonderful medical report. Reading this post has encouraged me. I have written in "secret" most of my life. I felt my words were too personal to share. You have shown that we must be transparent, so that others can see that it is not we but He that is in us that prevails. Thank you for your encouragement.

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    1. Thanks Sharon. There's no greater joy than serving Him, and we serve Him best when we share what He does for others. The command to "make disciples of all nations" is best accomplished when we share His grace for us. Remember there are people who need to hear your "secret words" because only you can touch them most effectively.

      God bless you.

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  14. Oh, Bruce, I'm praising God with you for His protection! He certainly has more for you to write! We cannot stop telling what He's done for us!

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    1. Amen Vonda. I cherish your friendship, and pray I'll one day be as effective a communicator as you. As you know, there's no greater joy than telling people what the Lord has done for us, especially when we see the light of hope in their eyes.

      God bless you, my friend.

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  15. Praise the Lord for your good report and this inspiring blog, Bruce. I am, and will continue to be, one of your strong prayer warriors dear friend.
    Blessings and Onward!
    Elva Cobb Martin, Pres. ACFW-SC Chapter www.elvamartin.com

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    1. Thank you, Elva. I'm glad God encouraged me to attend an ACFW meeting because I met you. You will always be my friend. You can always count on me as your prayer warrior and friend.

      God bless you.

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  16. Bruce,
    Thank God for touching your life even in such a stressful manner. Those times bring us new understanding of faith and trust in our Creator. Praying He gifts you with many years to share your testimony.

    I know I was born to speak and write. The writing became a priority later in life. I recall speaking before my classmate in the second grade and performing skits at recess. My first writing experience (at least the first I recall) was a history of my hometown in maybe the 8th grade.

    I have recently started a blog and am working on a book. It amazes me that God would allow me to serve Him and enjoy it so much. In the second half of my life I just want to share the joy of being loved, forgiven and redeemed by my Savior. Seeing God in ordinary everyday situations and sharing that experience is my passion.

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    1. Thanks Judy. I know your joy because that's where I am in my walk with Him. I also know the power of writing. Through it, we can reach so many more people than we'll ever meet. I'm excited about joining you in sharing the Love of Christ in our words and actions.

      God bless you.

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  17. I am very grateful that you're in remission. I love the verse you quoted. I didn't know I was going to be a writer, but I feel that I can't not write. I hate double negatives, but it's true. I have to write and I want to share God's message of hope, truth, and love with the world. Thank you for your post.

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  18. What a timely piece for me! What a delight to read of God's faithfulness. You are, in so many ways, an inspiration. Thank you. Hugs!

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    1. Thanks Tina. You inspire me as well.

      God bless you.

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  19. Thanks for sharing such a personal lesson and victory. Through it all, He will have His perfect way. Congratulations on the good news and the return to what you were born to do. May this next decade be your most productive yet.

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    1. Thank you, Cheryl. I pray this next decade is your most productive and blessed as well.

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  20. Bruce, I was so delighted to read your good news! Our God pours out gifts above measure. Your post encourages and convicts this writer, stripping away excuses. May His inspiration continue to produce much fruit in you.

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    1. Thanks Jetta. I do know when I'm writing for Him that He wants to inspire others through me. It gives me great joy to be a part of His plan. Keep on writing.

      Blessings.

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  21. This has blessed me! Thank you for sharing. May the Lord continue to use you. Powerful writing.

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    1. Thank you, Marggie. I'm pleased you were blessed by His words. I'm merely the scribe, but what joy there is in that.

      God bless you.

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  22. Thank you for sharing, i needed this shot in the arm right now. I have been slack and feeling discouraged...just need to get up and do it. So glad to hear you have many more years to share!!!!

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  23. Thank you, Bruce Brady, for your encouraging article. I especially liked "The God who created us and led us to become writers is always more powerful than anything the devil or life throws at us." Also, "The truth is if we write for Him—if we seek to show the world the hope and love the Lord offers—then we were born to write." Yes, I was born to write. But I get so discouraged about trying to get it out there.
    It's interesting to see the similarity in our books. Mine is about a teenage girl whose parents were killed in an airplane accident and she is also dealing with a bully. But I'm discouraged about rejections of the proposal.

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  24. Hi Bruce! I think you made a right choice to share your life experience here! I wish you to be fully healthy! And i think that such people as you are and such posts you shared here can help many people to learn how to overcome all the fears, especially a fear of dying from an incurable disease. Yes, you are right, even if you face with such life misfortune, you should not despair! God is always with us and he will help for everyone who believe in him!
    I am impressed by reading your post! Hope you will continue your writing and it gives you more strength to live!

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