I’m staring at a blank screen…because the words have been just a little absent these days.
It’s not the end of the world, and I know that, but I’ve also been dealing with this little syndrome called writer’s block a little too often lately.
Except mine is more like an impenetrable brick wall, six feet thick. 😉
For days…weeks, even…I’ve had to remind myself of a lot of things.
This happens to all writers…there are just days when the words don’t come and there’s not a whole lot that can be done about it.
I just need to keep writing. Because writers…well, that’s what they do. 
It’s not the end of the world…and it’s really not. If I don’t write today…or tomorrow, life will go on.
It will.
Sunday was a day. Yes, it was. Thankfully we had gone to church the night before, but Sunday morning. Oh, Sunday morning…or, really, Sunday-all-day.
I was in a mood. (I STILL feel sorry for my husband, and I’m pretty sure he’s way past it all…)
I was still sick. I had something that needed to be written that day. I’d been up a lot of the night with my girl, who was having a sleepless-and-sniffly night. And I had planned to stay home from Bible class so I could get that writing done.
And, oh.
Hubby and Mae left for Bible class/Sunday school. I poured a cup of coffee, read my Bible a little, and sat down to write. Nothing.
And so I went outside and shoveled the sidewalk…I was sure that would give me JUST the time I needed to think about what to write. Um, yep. All I thought about was how cold I was and how this probably wasn’t exactly what one who is getting over being sick should be doing. 😉
Come inside, more coffee, sit down. Write a paragraph, delete. Write two paragraphs, delete.
Turn on the Olympics. (Oh, yes I did.) Get lost in the world of something-skiing. (At least I think it was skiing. All of these Olympic events and days are starting to run together.) 😉
Try writing a little more. Still nothing.
T and Mae come home. “Did you get anything written?” He knows about this writer’s, impenetrable-six-foot-wall-thick, thing.
No. (I also might have cried here, just a little.)
Repeat above cycle about four times. (Well, minus the shoveling part.) 😉
The words just wouldn’t come, and it felt like…I don’t even know what it felt like. But it wasn’t good.
Around Mae’s bedtime, I finally had a little direction with it. I thanked my husband profusely for doing bedtime, and I practically flew down the stairs to my laptop.
Written in 20 minutes. Cue happy dance. 😉
I almost shake my head even now. Is this what being a writer is like?
😉
The truth is that there are things that happen in our days. Some are a lot worse than others…and writer’s wall, or whatever we’re calling it here today? Definitely not up there with world-ending, at least most days. 😉
Sometimes our days don’t turn out like we wish they would. I let myself struggle through them when all I need is the reminder that His mercies are new every morning.
Every morning. As in, Every. Single. Morning.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
No matter what you’re facing…no matter what happens…you have the promise of His mercy and His faithfulness in each day.
I think I’ll go make some coffee and watch some Olympics to celebrate…just as soon as I push the publish button.
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I love my sweet friend, Holley‘s, new link-up! Her Coffee For Your Heart: 2014 Encouragement Challenge is just what it sounds like. Think of Wednesdays as that day where I just share some encouragement…and you can pretend that we’re sitting at a table over coffee, just sharing life. Sounds like a great way to spend Wednesdays in this space. I hope you’ll hop over and join us!
Sometimes it is ok to just step away too isn’t it?? I have gone weeks without having a word to share….and then inspiration hits! Trying to remember that He will give us the words we need at the right time…and sometimes that means we have to just wait!
I think I need that reminder often…I’m going to vox you next time I’m agonizing over writing! 😉 Love you, friend…thanks for the blessing you are to me. (((hugs)))
Oh, those days when the words won’t come! It’s so humbling and frustrating. But God’s timing is never off, and for me sometimes it’s a reminder that there is one God, and I’m not Him. His plans are not my plans and my ways are not His ways. Love this reminder that His mercies are new every morning. He was, is and always will be faithful. Love you, friend!
And He’s faithful, even when I don’t have words…sometimes I let myself believe that my identity is found in what I write and how often I do it. Time for a refocus, I think.
Thank you for your sweet encouragement, my friend. Love you!
Mel, we all have seasons like this. Whether you write or not, you will be okay. So thankful for the truth in your post from Lamentations. Every day is a new day to try again.
Christy @ A Heartening Life
http://www.ahearteninglife.com
Thank you, friend…wishing you a wonderful day!
I’m learning that writer’s block is sometimes God saying, ‘Wait – there’s something you need before you can write. . .” – and I’ve learned to wait, be attentive, watchful. The other day – it was a movie about Louis Pasteur I had to watch – before this post I had been trying to write since before Christmas came. Glad you are feeling better – we’re going through that sniffles thing, too – it’s being passed around by hugs – LOL – my teen had it and when he’d want me to make him comfort food, he’d hug me. So I got it – and I needed hugs, too – and now my husband has it!
Oh, that’s so good! Sometimes I just get so focused on the goal that I forget what’s there for me to learn BEFORE I get there. (Shaking my head because I just wrote a post for the God-Sized Dreams site about this. Oy…the lessons He just keeps teaching me, sometimes over and over.) And, oh, the sniffles/cold/flu…it seems to be the gift that keeps on giving this winter! Here’s hoping spring is on the way soon.
Yes!!! Those moments where you hit a brick wall in your head – I’ve run into those as well! I love that no matter what, you kept on coming back, putting your bum in the chair, and trying. That truly inspires me to keep going when those times of writer’s block – or even in a block in life. Show up, sit in the chair, and keep going. It really will be okay.
Well, if we’re being honest, my bum just kept plopping back on the comfy couch. 😉 Thank you for your sweet words and encouragement…blessings on your day, friend!
Mel – so glad you are pushing through and writing… giving yourself a little space and time – but only a little because you are right… a Writers gonna write – even if it makes no sense and “Publish” is never pushed. So glad it was today though, friend!
Praying you feel all the way better as the day goes on… and yes – that Words will flow again too!
Thank you, friend…it helps to be reminded by other writers that the words WILL be back.
Wishing you a wonderful day! (((hugs)))
You aren’t alone with this. I find it’s an all or nothing kind of thing with me. Hang in there. This writing block season will pass.
Thanks for encouraging me today, friend. I’m trying to enjoy the less writing part…some days it’s great and other days it’s a struggle. I’ll hang in there.
(((hugs)))
The life of a writer who waits on the Lord to inspire. It happens and then words come flowing through our thoughts unfolding beauty onto blank pages. So glad that you didn’t give up and walk away but hung in there vulnerable and transparent. Thank you
Thank YOU for your sweet words and thoughts…blessings, friend!
All too familiar with that here. But I’ve learned it’s OK if I don’t write for awhile, sometimes I think it’s God’s way of getting my attention to make sure my heart is still aligned with his. And then, the words come. This will pass, give yourself grace. We’ll be here when you get back
I think that’s good…some days I’m too driven and too unwilling to just sit and listen to what He might be saying. Thank you for sharing that…so grateful for you, my sweet dreaming sister!
Mel — Thanks for the wonderful reminder that sometimes we just have to wait on God for the words! It happens to all of us.
Thank you, friend…blessings to you!
You have captured writer’s block so beautifully!! Ha ha! I can totally feel your pain. Grateful for His mercy no matter what blockage we are facing in his life. Sweet post, friend!
Thank you, friend…and amen. So thankful for His mercies! (((hugs)))
I know exactly what you mean. There are seasons where I have more words than time to post them, then there are those where it’s as if the well is dry.
I see that your word for this year is “restore”. I am trusting that He will restore you to an overflow of words straight from His heart!
Thank you for your sweet encouragement, Amy, and for stopping by! Blessings and hugs to you, friend.
Yes, it’s frustrating. But as you hint at…1st world problems, right? On the other hand, I have found lately that writing is more necessary to me than ever before. It’s such a helpful way of processing. I’d always like to be writing more than I do…
Meanwhile, this post is perfect!!
Definitely a first world problem…gotta keep perspective.
Thanks for being such a blessing to me, my friend. (((hugs)))