For a few months now—especially since we all agreed to remain sequestered in our homes—something is happening to words. I’m not sure, but there seem to be more good words out there. In here, too. A good thing—renewed evidence that there’s still power in words.
I’m noticing that there are a lot more people taking the time—and expending considerable effort—to cobble together, sculpt, throw on the screen, verbalize, copy-and-share, wrestle with and invent helpful, reflective collections of words. Good efforts—finding the right words for these times.
New writers are appearing in my Inbox and newsfeeds. New correspondents and old friends suddenly have words in their mind and time on their hands. Previously quiet, a host of newly blossoming deep-thinkers are finding new reasons to journal and start blogs. They write inspirational fiction, devotions, sermons and poetry. They open themselves to others’ assistance in finding their voice. Good work —inspiration coming from turbulent times.
If you’re one of those who have an itching to sit in front of a keyboard, screen, Smartphone or pen-and-paper—good for you! Let the words flow! The moment that you assemble those words into some kind of cogent form, you become a writer. And the moment you share those thoughts with others, you are a published writer! It’s good for more of us to share our words with others. What we write anoints this moment in history with an outpouring of spirit and Spirit that can lift souls out of despair or inaction. However your words are received, they accomplish more when you share them than if you keep your thoughts to yourself.
After the first blush of propelling your thoughts towards the minds of others, you might have second thoughts about writing. Pay attention to the thoughts, but keep on writing. Why? In these stay-at-home days, there are newly needy folks out there—I’m one of them—who want to know that we’re not alone, not weird, not coming undone. However you assemble them, your ideas can fill in the empty places where the rest of us may have run out of words, gotten weary of writing or are looking for the unique help that can come from newly minted writers.
If you’re an avid reader, don’t forget to thank the people who, hesitatingly at first, want to share some of their thinking—maybe more like their witness? Your reactions can strengthen whatever might have motivated new authors, novelists, poets, essayists, bloggers, journalists, social critics or mystics to take up writing. It will be a supremely satisfying experience for any of these fresh word-crafters to realize that you have received their work with appreciation and understanding.
I am grateful for the spirit and Spirit that have motivated those who are now adding words of grace to e-correspondence, social-media posts, blogs, phone calls, hand-written letters and cards and newsletters. It seems like a gift—new writers with new thoughts—that I want to pay attention to.
We are people of words and the Word made flesh; words and Word live within us. This may be the kairos moment when we send the words we cherish out to do their holy work.
Good words abound among us! Thanks be to God!
