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In the front of the file drawer to the right of my desk, two red file folders sit, bold yet understated. They hold precious cargo, as evidenced by the label hand written on each: Encouragement. In those folders (one was getting too full so I added a second) I have things like speaking evaluations from retreats that went well, letters from friends, and notes from readers I don’t even know. In my life, I have sometimes had a tendency to hold onto the discouraging words, the criticism. Or, I make stupid mistakes and then make things worse by beating myself up for doing so. I let the compliments, sincere as they may be, slide like water over my skin. Refuse to drink them in, to taste and see the goodness of a kind word. Or think, if people knew what I was really like, they wouldn’t say nice stuff like that. God has called me to write—and sometimes that’s a difficult calling. I wonder why I’m doing it, whether my words are just out there, rotting on bookstore shelves (or worse, publishers’ warehouse shelves). The income is sporadic and not great even when it’s there. I’m called to
write about the spiritual life, but I also happen to be someone who
is stunningly imperfect—I am a sinner, saved by grace, and lately,
I’ve been very aware of my need for grace. Like the apostle Paul, I
keep doing things I don’t want to do, and forgetting to do the
things that would be wise and kind. The folders hold, like a reservoir, enough to prime the pump of creative purpose. When I sit here and try to write, and the words won’t come, and I think—that’s it, I’ve got no more books in me, nothing else relevant to say. When I think, what’s the point, no one cares about this stuff, it’s not helping anyone anyway—I dip into them. And let their contents remind me that God has a purpose for my life, and he’s blessed me with encouraging friends. Lately I’ve been getting a lot more reader mail than usual, thanks to the fact that MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) sent out 110,000 copies of my book Breathe to their members. Letters from moms who say things like “this book was divinely sent” and even “You saved my life.” I’ve always thought of my books as letters of encouragement to people who just want to connect their faith with their actual day to day life. And so I am just so surprised and amazed and grateful for the encouragement that comes back to me. And in a huge step of believing in myself, I’ve printed out those e-mails and put them in the red folder. Because I’ve had more than a few critics, and people arguing with me about what I write as well. I don’t print out their e-mails. I do consider their critiques, but I don’t dwell on them. And if I make a mistake (which I do on a fairly regular basis, unfortunately) I apologize to anyone I’ve wronged. Do you have an “encouragement” folder? You may not get letters from strangers, but I hope you get drawings from your children, notes from friends, birthday cards, whatever. Even if you don’t have written words to save in a folder, think about the words you save in your memory. Do you hang on to and replay harsh words of criticism? Do you have a folder in your heart for the words that say “You’re not good enough”? Or do you throw those away and hang onto words like “I’m so glad we’re friends” or “I love you.” The good news is, God has written you letters of love and strength. So many words in Scripture can be filed in our “encouragement” folder. Here are just a few. Write them on note cards, and put them in a box or folder. When you’re feeling discouraged, pull them out and read them, knowing that they come straight from the heart of a God who loves you outrageously and unconditionally. “I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving-kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3). “How great is the love that the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from the Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:15,16). “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned” (Isaiah 43:1,2).
It’s summer, so I’m going to recommend something that’s very well-written, but that you can read by the pool. It’s not got the “Christian fiction” label on it—the characters are Jewish, and one of them is not exactly role model material. But it’s redemptive—because there is healing and hope in the end. I picked up Jennifer Weiner’s fun novel In Her Shoes last weekend at the airport. While it’s light-hearted, it’s a great story of the relationship between two sisters, and how their differences and a shared tragedy bring them together. Weiner is a
great writer, she’s funny and lively, but she can make you cry,
too. Her descriptions and dialog are very well-crafted. I loved
her characters, because they seemed so real—they were sometimes
funny, sometimes infuriating, always authentic. I highly
recommend this book. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. … He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18: 16, 19) Take several brightly colored note cards, or some pretty stationery, and copy a verse or encouraging quote onto each. Put them into a box, envelope or folder to pull out when you are feeling discouraged. Then, send a note of encouragement to someone else—either via e-mail or good old fashioned “snail mail.” Letters that arrive in the mailbox are so rare these days—just think how it would brighten someone’s day to receive one, even before they open the envelope. Notice how doing this for someone else actually makes you feel better as well. Keri has her own blog! Check out www.keriwyattkent.blogspot.com, Keri’s new “Deep Breathing for the Soul” blog site. She’ll be posting thoughts, videos, photos, etc. about making your faith real, writing, social justice and lots of other topics. Please click on the link and at least take a look at the site, leave a comment. Keri’s column this month on the Today’s Children’s Ministry website was once again focused on Sabbath, since she’s researching a book on that topic. Here’s what she wrote: Last month, many readers responded to my column on Sabbath. Many of the comments and questions were focused on rules: which day of the week should it be? What should be prohibited? For
someone who doesn't practice any Sabbath at all, to argue about the
day is to jump too far ahead in the journey. As we mature in our
Sabbath practice, God may lead us to a specific day. But we have to
start where we are, and often, that means just being convinced that
taking a day off Keri is also a part of the Boomer Babes Rock blog team (what a great group of women!) at www.boomerbabesrock.com/blog check it out. Her posts appear each Thursday. Recent posts have talked about reconnecting with old friends and bringing yourself flowers. Visit the site and let her know by leaving a comment. Keri is taking the summer
off from speaking, but will be leading a workshop based on her
newest book
Oxygen: Deep Breathing for the Soul, at the
Mothers of PreSchoolers (MOPS) convention in Orlando, FL, September
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July 17, 2007
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Oxygen: Keri's
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"Breathe" In Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life, Keri looks at how the hurried pace of our lives affects us spiritually.
Connect with Keri in Person click here to see my speaking schedule
Visit Keri Wyatt Kent's Website
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