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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Writer's Challenge (NOT the FaithWriters Challenge) (06/10/10)
Be Good To Yourself
That voice…
It calls to me as I try to concentrate. It beckons for me to listen. As I pour my heart upon the paper, the voice calls louder and louder. I inhale deeply as I struggle to maintain my composure. I must press on toward my goal. My heart quickens as I realize, this writing is a part of my soul. Yet, the voice still lingers near. I must not heed its cruel words. I must not listen. I stare quietly into the dark night. Everyone sleeps. The voice never sleeps. The voice is relentless. As it beckons to me, I drop to my knees in prayer.
As I bow my head to pray, the voice disappears. I speak a reverent plea to my Father in Heaven. “Dear Father, thank You for all my many blessings. No matter my circumstances, You are always near. Thank you so much for Your Son, who died on the cruel cross for my sins. Thank You for Your grace that continually washes over me. I ask You now to be with me as I struggle to be positive. Father, You know that I am normally a very positive, caring person who spends all my time helping others. You know that I take care of everyone else, except for me. Please be with me as I enter into a new phase of my life. Only You, Father, can possibly know how I need to quiet that voice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” I arise, a newly refreshed individual.
My words are now free to flow from my heart onto the paper. My words have been waiting patiently to check-out of the cold damp room where they have been stored. They are ready to visit a new place, a powerful place. For a long while, the words were patiently waiting, waiting to vacate the lonely place. They began to feel deserted, with no end in sight. They began to stir, desperately moving about, pressing and building within my innermost chamber. I could feel them. I knew they were there. I ignored them because I was too busy; too busy helping others, too busy ignoring my own needs, too busy with stresses from work and children and church. Everyone needed me and so did the words. But, tonight, in the stillness of a sleeping home, they are released. They are free.
As the words flow freely from my heart, from within my soul, they land gently on the paper. Ever so gently they begin to breathe a life of their own. As they glide together to portray the picture within my heart, I begin to live. I begin to understand their need to be released was actually my need…my need to finally do something for myself. Yes, I have a need, and that need is to help others as I help myself. My need is to write. I begin to feel energized as I realize that with my words, I can create something timeless. I can help others and help myself as well. I can be good to myself.
The voice is near. I know it’s there. I feel its presence. But, I will not listen. As I continue to write, the voice recedes, for now. As the words continue to flow, the voice is vanquished. Today is a victory for me. The words have been released and with them, my soul.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Rachel Burkum
06/18/10
I too feel the freedom of spilling forth the written word. Nice take on the topic.

(Tip: Double-spacing paragraphs helps with the formatting on these FW Challenges.)

Good job!

Dolores Stohler 
06/19/10
A real tear-jerker. Lovely story. I especially liked this line "Melvin loved to dwell in the land of the written word". I think that describes all of us writers. Nice work.
Dolores Stohler 
06/19/10
The above comment was meant for the previous story. I don't know how it got in here. But here's my take on your article: a good expression of your thoughts on writing but would have liked to hear more about your own, personal experience. Each of us is unique -- write from the heart.
Dee Yoder
06/20/10
"Everyone sleeps. The voice never sleeps." Nothing truer was ever written! For the writer, this is one of our most challenging aspects: how to overcome that inner voice always ready to accuse. Thanks for bringing out the problem all writers share.
Mildred Sheldon
06/20/10
That quiet voice that is always there can stop many writers from stepping out in faith and trusting the Master. That quiet voice is called self doubt. God overcame and because of Him all can. Good job and God bless.