by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
While traveling home from the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian’s Conference last year, I sensed very clearly that “play time” was over. Not that I’d viewed it as such but I’d wasted spent a lot of time debating with myself if writing was where God wanted me to spend His time. Through a series of confirmations at BRMCWC, I left feeling confident I was exactly where He wanted me to be.
Within weeks of returning from the conference, my husband and I began discussing selling our home. The result was a seven-month pilgrimage that, in the end, played out more like a devilish detour. During that time, I shifted almost everything else—writing, meeting with friends, attending writing group—to the sidelines of life.
When 2014 rolled around, I spotted Register for BRMCWC on my calendar, but ignored it. I didn’t feel I’d earned it. This past year was to be different. It wasn’t. I was going to write every single day—but I didn’t. Despite having my poetry published in two books last year, I felt like a total failure. The thought of facing conference mentors who’d spurred me on last May was, well…downright embarrassing.
Then it happened. On a rare snowy South Carolinian day, I sat upstairs gazing out the big window in the front of our house. I soaked in every detail for a possible poem. One particular car kept driving by, when suddenly the man pulled off the street and hopped out of his car with a fancified camera pointed in my direction. He motioned for me to meet him on my front porch. I’d barely opened the door when he asked what I was doing up there. He scribbled a few lines on his pad and jumped back in his car. A few weeks later, I opened our local paper to see my picture with the tag line Inspired by a Snowy Day…Poet at work: Cathy Baker from her Curtis St. window.
While taken back by his choice of wording, I couldn’t help but feel it was a divine wink to keep moving forward. The wink escalated to a nudge when my amazing hubster insisted I register for BRMCWC.
So, Lord willing, I will enter the lovely Lifeway campus this May looking ahead, not behind.
Past regrets will not rob God’s unfolding plan for my future.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13, 14
Are you sensing a divine wink or nudge? I’d love to see you at Blue Ridge this May! We’ll already have something in common. 🙂
by Cathy Baker | Faith |

With one week of Weight Watchers under my soon-to-be-thinner belt, three distinct similarities have surfaced between it and my love of writing:
Clear goals are a must. Obviously, my goal is to lose weight, but if that is my only goal in Weight Watchers, what happens once the pounds disappear? Desiring a healthier body will take me much further for all the right reasons. In writing, what happens when the rejection letters flood my inbox? Since my ultimate goal is to glorify Christ, then I can rest when His results look much different than those I desire (someone please remind me of this on a regular basis!)
Discipline is not a dirty word. I was delusional to think I could continue eating the way I’ve always eaten as I approach my final “40th” year. In the same way, how can I expect to receive all those rejection acceptance emails if I’m not disciplining myself to write on a consistent basis?
Community is key. For months, Edie tried to convince me that the Weight Watchers meetings held the key to success—and for months, I was too stubborn to believe her—and then I attended. Of course, she was right! Rub elbows with those who share your dreams and watch the sparks fly.
Image courtesy of ifood.tv
by Cathy Baker | Ideas |
In addition to being part of my local Word Weavers group, I’m extremely blessed to be one of the “4 Corners” in a small writer’s accountability/critique group.
Carolyn, one of the three amazing “corners”, challenged us to create our own storyboards (or purpose boards) as a visible tool for inspiration.
My storyboard actually begins at the bottom, to illustrate foundational truths for my writing. First, an image of the woman at Jesus’ feet, to always remind me where my journey began. It’s also foundational for me to keep my “spiritual tank” full. How can I share it from an empty one?
The picture of the waiting room reminds me that there is a purpose in the waiting. And, I must be patient and willing to wait for God’s timing.
Mid-way up the poster, I have pictures of pure inspiration that include places we’ve visited (Lake Lure, Carl Sandburg’s home, Thomas Wolfe’s home, etc), pictures of flowers from our garden, my grandmother’s house, and a picture of a sower sowing seed smack dab in the center of the poster to remind me that everything is written to be done so with the mindset of sowing God’s seed and bringing Him alone glory.
At the top, you’ll find pictures of what I pray the result of my writing to be, beginning with an act of worship. Also, that my writing will have a divine ripple effect much like a pebble being tossed into the water. One quote completes the board: “Write so that heaven is different.” – Lee Roddy. Thankfully, the results are all in God’s hands and out of mine.
I feel incredibly blessed to share my little corner of the world with such amazing women like Carolyn, Cynthia, and Beth. Thank you, friends!
So, how could you use a storyboard to get those creative juices flowing?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |

“Write every day. Regaining momentum takes three times as much energy
as sustaining momentum.” Daniel H. Pink
Setting aside a specific time to write has proven this quote on sustained momentum to be spot on. The words seem to flow more freely, creativity sparks a bit quicker, and techniques are implemented with more ease.
I wish the same could be said for other areas in my life where momentum is crying out to be regained. For those of you who’ve read my blog for awhile you know I began running last year and absolutely loved it. Because of severe reflux I was advised to find another means of exercising. That was in August, and I have yet to search for something new (I have the extra pounds to prove it!) I’d like to say I’m still mourning over the loss of a loved calorie burner, but the truth is, I simply lack the motivation to find another.
If we didn’t get such a crazy deal through Brian’s work with the Sports Club, I would be rowing with Beth here — but I do, so I can’t.
The fact of the matter is, if I keep doing what I’m doing, I will continue getting what I’m getting, and that’s not a direction I plan to pursue. Perhaps that’s why the above quote resonates so deeply.
Yes, it may take three times as much energy to regain momentum, but no momentum at all will deplete my life of much more than energy.