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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Fulfillment (04/06/06)
IT'S NOT ABOUT ME

When I first began writing, I thought fulfillment would come on being published and receiving some kind of public acclaim for my work, plus the monetary rewards.

Now I know the truth--it's not like that at all. True fulfillment comes with completing a work and being satisfied with it, whether it gets published or not. And the greatest satisfaction of all is when someone tells you they loved what you wrote or they sat up all night reading it. Or it changed their whole life. Wow! It can't get better than that.

Another surprising thing is that, although I'd really looked forward to public acclaim in my writing, when it comes I feel embarrassed and want to brush it away. This whole crazy business of writing isn't about me after all. It's really about serving the Lord and wanting to do something special for Him. There are many things I do badly or not at all. Whatever talent I have comes from God alone and He is my mentor. Frequently He helps me write, furnishing the ideas and sometimes the words as well. I once wrote a whole poem this way, with God looking over my shoulder and telling me what to say. It took just eight minutes to write and my church put it on back of the church bulletin. Then I sent it to "The Secret Place", a daily devotional. It was accepted and when it appeared a local woman called me, asking if she could use it in her Sunday School Class. She said it was beautiful. Well, who can take credit for that? Not I, but I can share in the joy of His accomplishment.

While reading a book on how to promote my latest children's novel, I read that it wasn't about promoting the book itself but promoting the author. Well, you've got that wrong, was my first thought. Then, no, you've got it right. Let's give credit to the author of all creation, Jesus Christ Himself. Whatever you're trying to say, He said it first, you're just another interpreter.
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This article has been read 1392 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sally Hanan
04/13/06
Perfectly true. The best pieces are those that are whispered as we write, and then whisper to the heart of those reading.
Marilyn Schnepp 
04/14/06
So well said - and SO true! Many of my best publications were done with God looking over my shoulder and His whispering the "word" or the phrase I was looking or searching for! Very well written and a great Read for all... especially wordsmiths, a/k/a writers. Good job!
Jan Ackerson
04/14/06
Something every writer here can relate to, that's for sure! You might consider changing the 2nd person references in the the 2nd and 4th paragraphs to 1st person, to be more consistent with the narrative feel of the rest of the piece. I like the image of God at your shoulder while you write.
Lynette Carpenter
04/14/06
I can relate so well! Thank you for putting it into words. Good job!
Beth Muehlhausen
04/18/06
I think we all identify and agree with what you're talking about! And I liked the idea of being an "interpreter" - your last line was a fitting punch to end your article. :-)
Jacquelyn Horne
08/30/07
This was delightful, encouraging reading. Especially for a writer.