Creatively Dry? - Learn How To Write A Novel

What did you do this weekend?‘

I cleaned my pantry.

I cleaned my fridge.

I chatted with my people around the world. (Italy, Japan and Iowa!)

I went to church. (online!) (Note how attentive our dog is! And those are not my feet. :))

I took my first online painting class.

And…I plotted a book.

But I’ll admit…the days are starting to merge together, right? And I’m feeling creatively dry.

Maybe you are too. As much as we love our families, (and I’m loving the extra time in the word and prayer, to read books and the joy of having my son quarantining with us), let’s be honest. This is a time of stress. Of worry for our loved ones that we are not with. (I have a son in Japan, another in Italy!) And of course, grief for those who have lost loved ones, and compassion for our health care works.

As I prayed about the words for today, the Lord led me to this verse:

John 4:14: “…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

My daily Oswald added: “Was Jesus saying to stay focused on the Source so that you may be blessed personally? No, you are to focus on the Source so that out of you “will flow rivers of living water” –irrepressible life. (John 7:38).As surely as we receive blessings from Him, He will pour out blessings through us.

“Stay at the Source, closely guarding your faith in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow into the lives of others with no dryness or deadness whatsoever.”

I am hearing about people binge-watching LOTR, or Harry Potter, or the Avengers Canon. And I love that—fun.

But I would also encourage you to dive into an edifying novel or memoir. Read an entire book of the Bible in one sitting. Listen to a drove of podcasts from old preachers (My favorite is the Saving Life of Christ series by Major Ian Thomas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZLZu2XiyGk&t=12s.)

Go for a walk and pray.

For whatever reason, God has put the ENTIRE WORLD into lockdown. Isolation. Quiet. A time to give Him our fears and worries. To pray and worship and drink in truth.

And then to overflow. In Deed. In Word. In Creativity.

Your story matters! Go, have a brilliant day!