Saturday, May 16, 2020

Facing Writing Non-Productivity Without the Guilt


by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme


We’ve experienced almost two months of lock down—government mandated boundaries that includes staying at home except for securing necessities. Since I wander around my house and garden alone these days, my thoughts and imaginations often suddenly explode like fireworks on the fourth of July. They come out of nowhere with uncanny clarity. The memories take on new life when looking back from the pivotal point of living in a pandemic with an unseen enemy.

One such tender memory recently rushed at me as I was planting flowers in a large pot on my patio. The touch of the moist earth in my bare hands stole me away to a long ago vacation with my husband. Each morning we would walk the beach, holding hands and feeling the warmth of the sun on our backs. We had very little conversation as we each marveled at the shared experience. I remember how his hand felt as it held tight to mine—the sense of protection his grasp evoked. The sound of the waves crashing the shore while the mewing call of the gulls overhead all contributed to a symphony of joy and contentment with the one I love. 

As we rounded the curve we came upon a young man who clearly defined multi-tasking. He stood facing the roar of the ocean, one hand holding a fishing rod, the other hand held a cell phone to his ear. On his back was a baby tucked into a back pack, his tiny legs thrashing about with joy at the closeness to his father and the wonder of the sea, all lost to his dad. 

My husband and I broke our silence to mourn the sacred moments the dad was missing by trying to pour all of life into one moment. He missed seeing his child’s reaction to the rhythm of the tides. He missed seeing his little feet dance with excitement at this new experience. 

Now that my husband is with the Lord, I relive more and more memories, where nothing was said but everything felt—the moments where the awe of God and one another reigned supreme in our hearts, adding more cement to our already strong marriage.

If we learn just one thing from being sequestered at home, I hope it will be the sacredness of solitude. Our lives are meant to be God’s love story written by Jesus. Instead, our urgency to produce often slides us by the truly deep and lasting moments of life—those moments that bring a deeper dimension and truth to who we are and what we write.

Endless motion produces scattered thoughts and culminates in scattered dreams. Let this forced isolation become an inward pilgrimage of quiet introspection, where memories and life lived are reflected with a depth that comes from hearing God speak. We can all come out from this wiser and stronger because God has much to say to our hungry soul. Wisdom that we’ve often been too busy to hear. 


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Emme Gannon is a wife, mother, and grandmother who loves to write stories that stir the heart. Her award-winning writing has appeared in Focus on the Family magazine, several anthologies, and numerous newsletters. She just completed her first novel.

15 comments:

  1. Love this post, Emme. What a profound truth, so beautifully expressed. I have been experiencing the same kind of blessing in all of the quiet time this pandemic has afforded me. I'm sharing this one!

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    1. Thank you so much, Julie. The downtime has been refreshing. Jesus received such strength from the Father during those times of solitude. I'm certain He delights in having our full attention. Blessings to you, Julie.

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  2. Thank you for this wonderful post--a powerful message that's beautifully written.

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    1. Thank you so much for taking time to comment, Crystal. That our words connect with another is a joy and blessing. Bless you during this time of quiet reflection.

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  3. Loved this writing, Emme. It's so beautifully said. My best wishes to you on the success of your first novel.

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    1. Thank you so much, Diane. Such comfort knowing that God is in control.

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  4. Thank you my gentle friend. God's blessings for this treasure of truth.

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    1. Thank you, J.D. Your words always edify and bless. Bless you in your writing as well as caring for your ranch and family.

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  5. Emme, you are so right. At first I thought this time of seclusion would produce a multitude of writing. And I have done some. But oh, the insights I've gained just by being quiet and thinking a little more.

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    1. Yes, Roberta, so true. As hard as this seclusion has been at times, the joy that comes from intimacy with the Lord, far surpasses the hurried life. Blessings to you.

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    1. Thank you, Diana. The Lord yearns for our attention and blesses us when we set aside "our schedules" and sit at His feet. Such love He imparts to us. Bless you in all that you do, Diana.

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  7. I really like what you said - "an inward pilgrimage of quiet introspection". Thank you!

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  8. Thank you so much for your kind words. Blessings to you as you continue the journey of discovery with the Lord. He has so much to say to us.

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  9. I am a wife, mother, even a great-grandmother at the young age of 74. I'm fine-tuning my second novel, but finding your message (without looking for it) has made my day, reminding me to cherish my memories. There are so many memories, good and bad. I cherish the good, and learn from the bad. God knew just what I needed today.
    I wish you oceans of memory blessings, Sharon

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