Three Blessings of Being a Writer

by Andy Lee @WordsByAndyLee

For years I’ve taught the importance of counting our blessings. I’ve written that thankfulness must be a lifestyle not just a one-day event. I know these things. I’ve practiced thankfulness. I know its life-giving power.

But lately I’ve been deep in the mire of studying (again) about platform and social media and all those things we nonfiction writers must constantly work on. And I confess, I’ve been a little conflicted.

And depressed.

My thankfulness meter has been low.

But I’ve been encouraged by the contributing authors on this blog. Thank you Cindy Sproles and Sara Van Diest.

Their articles didn’t take me off the platform hook. They didn’t write that I don’t have to work on platform or sell a lot of books—wouldn’t that be great to our itching ears! But their words were a balm to my frustrated heart.

Words of encouragement.

Words of art.

Words about waiting.

Words about perfecting your pen.

I savored their wisdom, yet when it came time to write my contribution for The Write Conversation this week, I considered writing a snarky article about the harshness of this industry still reeling from my research.

But God whispered . . .

“Count your blessings.”

Don’t you love it when the Author of your soul calms the storms within and refocuses you?

In a blink of an eye, a moment of thought, He took my eyes off my deficiencies and focused them on my writer’s bounty.

Now a smile spreads across my face as I type, my head shakes back and forth with resolve and conviction of this truth, and I must share with you three blessings I’ve discovered as a writer.

A Writer’s Blessings

• Community. I’m so thankful for the writers I’ve met through the years of writers conferences and critique groups, and other blogs. Our hearts are connected by our love for words, but as Christian writers, we are bound by the love and blood of Christ. That bond is sweet. It’s strong. My community includes industry professionals who have not chosen my work, but I know them, and I respect them, and I’m thankful for their advice. I’m also thankful for this community provided by Edie Melson.

• Readers. I’m thankful for my readers/followers. I’m thankful for those who read my posts each week. I’m also thankful for those who share with me the affect my words had on them that day. I’m thankful for those who purchased my books. What an honor. It’s very humbling. I’m thankful for the one. The one who subscribes or the one who comments, or the one who asks for prayer.

• The Weight of the Call. I’m thankful for this call.  It is a gift. There’s nothing like using words to teach about the Word Himself. There’s nothing like employing the power of the pen to teach, preach, soothe, love, point to grace, and holiness, and truth. There’s not anything like the magic words hold to transport people into other worlds and time periods, to paint pictures not with a brush but language. What a privilege. The weight of this call is great. Do you feel it?

You and I, my friends are blessed. Blessed to bless. And I’m thankful for you. If you find yourself in the mire of platform burnout or delayed publication write down your blessings as a writer. Be specific. Name names. And . . .

Pass the turkey.

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds to men for he satisfies the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:8-9).

Share one of your blessings as a writer. Leave a comment.

TWEETABLES

3 Blessings of Being a Writers - encouragement from @WordsByAndyLee on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

When we find ourselves burned out and overwhelmed by the state of publishing, it's time to count our blessings - @WordsByAndyLee on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Andy lee is the author of A Mary Like Me: Flawed Yet Called and The Book of Ruth Key Word Study: A 31 Day Journey to Hope and Promise. She is a blogger, inspirational speaker, and empty-nest survivor. Join hundreds of viewers on her Facebook Live broadcast Monday-Friday for the Bite of Bread, and visit her website at www.wordsbyandylee.com where Andy writes about digging deep to live fully.