How Writing Rescues Us

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

It’s 4:0:5 a.m. here in Colorado as I type this sentence.

I haven’t been to sleep yet.

I tried to go to sleep for all of five minutes.  But when I curled up in my recliner, the pain I’d been keeping at bay surged forward and overwhelmed me.

I stayed awake by noshing on Nutella – yes, nibbles of Nutella out of the Costco-size jar – chased by cups of Constant Comment tea, all while cleaning out my email inboxes (plural) and writing blog posts.

And now I’m writing this post because being awake and productive is much better than not sleeping.

A precious friend of mine died earlier this week – someone I love and admire. Someone who treated me with compassion on many occasions. 

Even more tragic, my friend died by suicide.

Grief upon grief.

Sometimes as writers, words on the page help us take our first stumbling steps through pain. 

I find myself sifting through the harsh reality of this loss with tear-stained words. Recounting memories. Asking questions that have no answers. Uttering prayers that trail off into silence … 

I’m so thankful that Jesus intercedes for us when we can’t pray.

Jesus intercedes for us always.

I am, once again, reminded how powerful our words are. 

Words allow us to remember those we love as we recall interactions … words spoken … reasons to be grateful when sorrow steals our breath.

Words create stories … and stories intertwine our lives. My story with my friend’s story, no matter how utterly tragic the ending.  Even now, I recall the good moments, the reasons I am thankful, thankful, thankful for our friendship. 

Writing can be a lifeline from grief – a rescue, if you will, so that we aren’t overcome by sorrow.

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

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Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Having authored nine contemporary romance novels and novellas, The Best We’ve Been, the final book in Beth’s Thatcher Sisters Series with Tyndale House Publishers, releasers May 2020. Other books in the women’s fiction series include Things I Never Told You, which won the 2019 AWSA Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year, and Moments We Forget. Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.