When I was a child library trips were a weekly event. I knew which shelf my favorite authors were found on in three different libraries. I would return home and spend the afternoon in my room, usually finishing one of the books I had just picked out.
But I not only enjoyed reading what others put together. I loved to write my own stories and thoughts and questions. I started simple - a daily diary - and moved on to journaling, short stories, a few poems. It didn’t always make sense and almost always made my parents laugh but I loved writing.
In the years after I got married I tried to improve my skills. I read books about various styles and elements, I read different genres to compare them, I did worksheets and wrote scenes and brainstormed characters. I was focused on novel writing because that was what I read most frequently. But in 2016 my mind began to shift.
As a pastor’s wife I started reading more Bible studies, getting into theological conversations, and being asked to recommend authors. I found that the women in my church were hungry for more spiritual substance than many books written for women were giving. And as I read and researched I discovered it wasn’t limited to my church. There was a cry for Christian living/Bible study books written by women for women that contained more than “How do you feel?” questions. Books that dove into real study of the Word and made you ponder truths about God.
I was asking and studying a lot on my own. Questions spurred on by my husband’s preaching through Ephesians and conversations with others. As I outlined and wrote and had “wow” moments, I realized I enjoyed it more than creating my own universe in a novel. Studying God’s Word, learning, and then attempting to write and explain what I was learning became all I could think of when I sat down for writing sessions.
Now, I still love novels. I still have a notebook of ideas and half written scenes waiting for my time. And maybe someday I’ll return to them. But for now studying the Bible and writing my discoveries and sharing my “wow” moments is my passion.
As I’ve studied and read I’ve found some wonderful books by women for women that helped me greatly in studying in the Bible. That’s a post for another time. And I’m not saying my writing is better than most things out there. But I feel strongly that God is leading me in this direction for now. And I’m happy to follow.
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash