Love the Togetherness of Being with Other Writers

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

Christmas break gave some of our daughter and son-in-law’s boys extended time to stay with us for a few days here and there. But then, the final Saturday of Christmas break arrived. 

We picked up a few pizzas, headed for their house, and planned to eat and play a board game before leaving. The older of the two loves board games and played with us. The younger took off to the playroom and confiscated his iPad. The other two meandered about, doing first one thing and then another. 

When the time came for us to leave, my wife and I made our Pop and Meme rounds—hugging, kissing, and telling each grandchild we loved them. As we walked down the back steps, the oldest grandson popped up and stood upon a large mound of dirt that had remained from the landscaping that occurred before they moved the mobile home on the property—their mountain, they called it. The one they begged their mom and dad not to level. 

“Hello,” he called. We thought he was still in the house. 

This grandson appeared again and ran beside the van as we trekked down their driveway and onto the dirt road that led to the highway—a good run for a preteen who doesn’t care much for the outdoors or exercise, but one who loves his Pop and Meme—although he rarely says it. He would rather not say it because he knows we want him to. 

As we pulled onto the highway, I looked back to ensure he returned to his house. He slowly walked back but then turned around and waved at me one final time. I’ll never forget that look or the wave. The memories of how I did the same when my favorite grandparents visited my family when I was about my grandson’s age washed over me. I, too, saw them off and ran beside their car. Like my grandson, I loved the togetherness.

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me” (John 17:21 NLT).

Many years before any of us reading this verse were born, Jesus prayed for His followers’ togetherness. He wanted us to enjoy togetherness with Him as He did with the Father and Spirit. The Trinitarian togetherness reflects the Christ-us fellowship Jesus desires. 

But Jesus’ prayer can also contain an aspect for us writers. We’ve probably heard the saying, “It’s not whom you know but what you know.” The saying is valid on multiple levels but is undoubtedly true in the writing world. 

What makes remembering and heeding the truth of this saying challenging is that most artsy types, like us writers, are introverts. We love our shells. And like turtles, any little challenge—a rejection letter, a denied manuscript, a lost opportunity, another writer’s book sales, another award-winning author tag—can send us scurrying back into our shells where we are comfortable and cozy. But this is precisely what we shouldn’t do. 

No human relationship—no matter how close—can replace the togetherness we feel when we invite Christ into our lives, receive His forgiveness, and spend time fellowshipping with Him now and into eternity. 

Writers, too, make better forward progress when we band together and do not attempt to be Lone Ranger types. Conferences, writing groups, blogging, mentoring, and writing contests all come to mind as opportunities for togetherness. 

Why not take some time and think of ways to enhance your togetherness with your Savior and other writers?

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Love the Togetherness of Being with Other Writers from author Martin Wiles (@LinesFromGod) on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author. He serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net and is an instructor for the Christian PEN (professional editor’s network). Wiles is a multi-published author. His most recent book, Hurt, Hope and Healing: 52 Devotions That Will Lead to Spiritual Health, is available on Amazon. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of seven. He can be contacted at mandmwiles@gmail.com.