by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Local cafes top the list of favorite places to write but in A Writer’s Book of Days, Judy Reeves suggests several more places to try:
Laundromats: Thumping noises, lint-filled air, quarters clanging, and the scent of soap and bleach offer a completely different sensory experience.
Outdoor areas in nature: Take a walk, take your shoes off, take the time to lie back on the grass and write. And just because you’re in the green and blue open spaces doesn’t mean you have to write pastoral. Often the opposite of where we find ourselves is what we write, as Ernest Hemingway said, writing of Michigan while hunched over cafe au lait in a Parisian cafe.
Bus depots, train stations, airports, and other way stations where travelers come and go: Stay in one place and observe the people in transit. Pick up the buzz of motion and let its vibration inform your writing.
Public transportation: You write while they drive, and let yourself be transported to somewhere else, both in body and writer’ spirit.
Your bed: Fluff those pillows, grab a hot cup of coffee, and try practicing this location first thing in the morning while sleep still clings to your consciousness, or at night before you slide down into dreamy repose.
There is writing when you are intending to,
and this other, less frequent, sometimes
more beautiful writing that just comes.
-James Salter
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
For the past twelve years, I’ve driven a red 1999 Honda CRV. Recently, a friend I’d not seen in five years tracked me down in the produce section of Publix because she’d seen my CRV and knew I was there. This is why I decided to feature my new ride today—a 2008 Honda Odyssey.
For family and friends in town, this may not be as distinctive as a bright red cherry on wheels but hopefully you’ll spot me. Just look for a black Odyssey with an open sunroof and a woman pushing the button on her steering wheel to up the volume (unless Piper is in the back, of course. 🙂
Some have asked “Why a van?”
Two reasons alone dictated this choice:
1. Grandchildren. It’s one of the safest and roomiest vehicles on the road.
2. My traveling woes. We’re hoping a DVD player playing Lark Rise to Candleford in the backseat will help in those efforts. And I’m sure the grandchildren won’t mind it either.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Piper and Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference.
How’s that for two faves? No doubt one tops the other but I mention both as I’ll be heading up the mountain tomorrow and I can’t miss the opportunity to give a shout out to BRMCWC.
Last Friday, I didn’t blog about my Friday Fave. I lived it! Piper was with me for most of the day. Need I say more? As you can see from above, she’s already becoming quite the little artist. I love watching her in action.
Me, Dee, and Beth T.R.O.U.B.L.E
This picture was taken at last year’s conference. Yes, we have a lot of fun (for anyone heading to BRMCWC be sure to join us in the lobby at Mt. Laurel in the evening) but we arrive ready for both the battle and the blessings.
Someone shared this week how we are not called to be successful. We are called to be faithful.
To God be the glory!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
The swishing of the windshield wipers was the only sound heard in the car that Sunday morning on our way to church.
My feelings had been hurt and I wanted to choose my words carefully. Hence the silence.
I wondered how I’d be able to conjure up a smile when greeted at the door. After all, isn’t that what we’re supposed to do for church?
This wasn’t the case for one of my favorite teenagers the Sunday before. She wasn’t happy and had no qualms in letting it be known to those closest to her. She came to church “just as she was”, if you will. I admit thinking something like Can’t she just crack a smile when someone asks her how she’s doing? She can take it up with her parents when they get home.
As the rhythm of the wipers swished its melodic tune, I began questioning which approach, if either, was the best way to handle it was God-glorifying: Full-on transparency or a fake-o mask.
I think we all know the answer but perhaps it’s not so cut and dry. Is there room for balance here?
When I think of a biblical example of transparency, I think of Paul. He believed and clung to the grace of God and because of his openness to Him, Paul was able to be open with others, inviting his brothers and sisters in Christ to see him “just as he was” — weaknesses, strengths, and struggles.
And yet, where our tongue/speech is concerned, wisdom must rule.
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” James 3:5
Have you ever noticed how often hurt feelings and sibling issues crop up on Sunday mornings? I don’t believe it’s by coincidence. We know the enemy’s ploys. He’s told us in John 10: Steal, kill, and destroy. Joy is stolen, relationships are sacrificed, and the desire to worship is destroyed. Albeit it temporary, one moment robbed of a worshipful attitude is one moment too long.
So what did I do that Sunday morning? As the above thoughts came to mind, I asked the Lord to restore my joy — to keep my eyes on Him — and to help us resolve the issue at the proper time, which He did. Confident of His desires for me, I could genuinely smile as Rick opened the door that morning.
I can’t say with complete confidence that I handled it correctly but I share this snippet of my journey to encourage you just in case you find your feelings hurt on the way to church one Sunday morning and the only sound you hear is the melody of windshield wipers playing in the background.
Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long
for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence
you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives
aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking
as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives.
Live openly and expansively! 2 Corinthians 6:11-13, Paraphrased by Eugene Peterson.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Remember this post?
Today is the day!
In all honesty, I wish I had a different story to share with the 1,000,000+ readers of The Upper Room — a different history if you will. But it’s a history I cannot change, so I humbly accept God’s free yet costly gift of grace — for to deny it is to deny what Jesus did for me 20+ years ago. It is the beauty of the Gospel.
I want to thank Megan for allowing me to use her childhood story of Buddy (and thank you, Desi, for the picture.)
Will you join me in praying that God will use this small offering to draw readers closer to Himself?
- To view the meditation Released, please go to The Upper Room.
I’d love for you to join in the conversation today by leaving a comment in the meditation or blog section of the site if you wish. If you don’t have an account with The Upper Room, you’ll need to create one (it took me 15 seconds – no personal information required.) Thank you, and God bless!
To God be the glory for all He has done.
