Power of the Pen
“Well I feel foolish. I was interested in a Bible Study group when I opened your creative writing page. Unfortunately I have no creative writing skills at all!” ...Excerpt from the email of a member of my new Creative Writing through Bible Study group on Facebook.
Old Fashioned Writing
The group member then asked if her daughter who took a few semesters of creative writing at a university could join the group. The message showed humor, passion and style. I felt compelled to express words of encouragement to this person who might not recognize a God given gift.
“I’d love to have your daughter join the group. Now, about you…every one of us has been given gifts we don’t use. I can testify to that because up until a few years ago I had no interest in writing. Someone pointed out my gift of expression and dared me to write a poem and participate in an open mike night. From there I published my first book of poetry and I haven’t stopped writing since. What I realized as I read the 28 poems I had written for my first book is that each one had a direct or indirect reference to God. Well, since I am his child I knew that he must have some intervened by allowing me to use him in this new found gift.
What I am saying to you is as I read your message I saw a creative writer. As a mother, I’m sure you have stories to tell. As humans, we all do…stories from our youth, stories about church, stories about that last trip to the grocery store which drove us crazy. The trick is in order to share those stories with as many people as possible, we need to write them.
Yes, we can verbally tell our stories however, it only travels from our lips to the ears of the listener. That’s who the African Griot is… the oral historian. More often than not, wonderful stories, lessons, recipes and traditions are lost forever because they went to the grave with the teller. When we write our stories -in whatever form best suits us, they leave a lasting legacy for generations…ergo, the Bible.
Although I have the greatest respect for higher education courses, the gift of writing comes from God. Without this gift, all the education in the world will only teach you the mechanics of writing.
So, hang in there and participate. Write a love letter to God using as much emotion as you can garner. You’ll be amazed at how creative your writing truly is.”
© 2009 Sharon Moore Stenhouse -All Rights Reserved-
