Today I am joining Kate Motaung in an online discussion of a book, “On Being A Writer.” The writing prompt is “When did I first call myself a writer.
Am I a writer? The book “Lord, I Am Listening,” encourages journaling your prayers. The year was 1992 and my journal’s name The Quiet Heart. A notebook filled with college lined paper and dividers, a place for prayers, plans, and poems. Journaling my prayers became my life. [Tweet “Writing to God is my avenue into my soul”] Sometimes raw emotions spilled across the pages. God knows my heart, my pain, and my joys. Years passing lined books filled with my heart-felt cries to my loving Father God. Many answers to prayers like my son graduating from high school, finding his life time partner, marrying her, having grandchildren, healing of my marriage, changing jobs as a nurse. Currently I use a formal journal by Becky Tirabassi, My Partner Prayer Notebook.
Writing my prayers is the first formal writing I did. Returning to college for my Bachelor’s Degree and my Master’s Degree writing on topics, such as tuberculosis and my thesis explored if teaching nursing students about HIV would their attitudes change in caring for the person with AIDS added to my experience. A promise that the thesis would be published motivated me. However, I completed and received an A there was no publication. School ended in 1999. During this time, i enrolled in a children’s writing course. I really wanted to publish stories for children. However, at the end of the course, another dead-end, no published children stories. Journaling my prayers continues and is the only writing until 2010 when Proverbs 31 ministries offered a blog hop. What is a blog hop? How do I get a blog to share? My first blog is at http://www.diana157.wordpress.com.
So as I write I will answer the question, “When did I first call myself a writer?” Although I have had my current blog over a year, only recently did I grasp the concept that I am a writer. This year in April, at Best Buy and I said the words, “I need a small lap top to travel with so I can write while I am away, I am a writer.” At the end of April, weather caused a delay of five hours delay of my flying to Oklahoma, I had my new lap top, I wrote a blog in the airport and I finally realized, I am a writer. Even if no one reads the words that God gives me, I am a writer.
Praise be to God that I have this amazing outlet for the words that are in my head. I have a peer at work Marleen who gives me encouragement. My friend Kath encourages me to submit my writings. My friend Barbie allows me to guest post, she is a computer guru, and she made my blog so special that I feel like a princess writing a blog. I guess that is better than kissing a frog! Beloved, I have no idea where this will lead writing for God but I do know that for each of you that read my words I am so thankful. So I leave you with a challenge, grab a journal and write, write your prayer start with praise and end with thanksgiving. You maybe a writer also. Someday I will write full-time.
16 Comments
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
August 18, 2015 at 5:32 amYes, you ARE a writer, and your words inspire. Write On!
Diana
August 19, 2015 at 11:50 amDear Michelle, thank you for the affirmation, blessings to you. Diana
Tara
August 18, 2015 at 7:18 amDiana, you are a writer indeed! And for me, writing became a form of prayer…whether it be in a poem, or blog post, or wherever.
Diana
August 19, 2015 at 11:51 amDear Tara, thanks for reading my blog post. Blessings my friend. Diana
Holly Mthethwa
August 18, 2015 at 9:44 amLoved this, Diana! I love that you called yourself a writer when you bought your laptop, and that you had a delay that allowed you to see that you are a writer. In that moment of space, the one thing you did was write 🙂
Diana
August 19, 2015 at 11:49 amDear Holly, Thank you for you kind words. Blessings Diana
Helen
August 18, 2015 at 9:46 pmDiana, I loved your post. So interesting to read your story and your perspective. I loved how you wrote about your friends and I absolutely loved when you wrote, “…she made my blog so special that I feel like a princess writing a blog”….it brought tears to my eyes! I also loved that you ended the post with your declaration (and I can’t imagine your pride and happiness the day you went to get your laptop!)…can’t wait to take this journey (at Kate’s) with you over the next several weeks…[P.S. I have just begun prayer journalling and, wow, what a powerful process!]
Diana
August 19, 2015 at 11:53 amDear Helen, thank you so much for your kind words. I love prayer writing it keeps me awake. LOL Blessings Diana
Rachelle
August 18, 2015 at 10:03 pmDiana, your words inspire me daily! It might be in your blog, something you say as our group leader, a post on Facebook, or just a conversation, but you are such an inspiration,and, Yes! You are a writer! 🙂 ❤
Diana
August 19, 2015 at 11:54 amDear Rachelle, Thank you for your comment. I am glad that my words help. You are a blessing to me. Love you Diana
Barbie
August 19, 2015 at 9:48 amYou are a writer. You have of encouraging women with the truth of God’s Word. So thankful we met through blogging and so honored to be able to help you in your journey.
Diana
August 19, 2015 at 11:55 amDear Barbie, our writing and love of God has given me a life long friend. Thank you for making my blog so special. Blessings Diana
Judy
August 19, 2015 at 10:18 amYou are a writer, a sister in Christ, and a beautiful soul. Looking forward to reading more of you.
Diana
August 19, 2015 at 11:56 amDear Judy, thank you for your kind words, we are sisters in Christ and writing is the common thread. Blessings Diana
Susan Shipe
August 21, 2015 at 1:19 amSounds like, looks like, seems like…
a writer to me!
Beautiful blog site as well!
Diana
August 22, 2015 at 2:46 pmDear Susan, Coming from you, this is high praise, thank you sweet friend. Blessings Diana