I often escape to the library of a nearby town to write. It is quiet there, no one knows me, and there are no piles of dirty laundry to distract the muse. Once seated, everyone in the giant room is focused and happily doing just what I’m doing–reading, daydreaming, or pecking their hours away on a keyboard.
I love the drive there, almost as much as I love losing myself in the world of my manuscript. It separates me from my dailiness, allows me to drop cares from my shoulders like too many sweaters, gives me time to switch gears, to prepare for the conflict awaiting in my manuscript.
Once I leave town, there is a long stretch of road with little traffic after the busy morning commute. The roadsides are decorated in woods and fields and trees. As the seasons change, so does the light at a given time of day, and the colors, and presence or absence of flowers and leaves. Here and there big billboards loom, most advertising the wares of their sponsors. But a few, strategically placed (I like to think) sport thought-provoking messages, like “Always have the last word . . . Apologize” ; “Be Nice . . . Duh . . .” ; “Marriage is like a fine bottle of wine . . . once you learn to leave the cork in.”
Everyday they are the same, but everyday I read them and meditate on their wisdom, ask myself in what way I can apply those principles to my slice of life.
I hope the words I write, at least some of the words, are as memorable and helpful to readers as those billboards. I hope the themes and messages in my novels inspire and bless others as those billboards inspire and bless me. The world just might be a better place.
Are there “words of wisdom” in your path today? Billboards? A devotional or specific Scripture? The line of a hymn or a quote from a novel?
If so, please share them over a cup of ginger peach tea—the perfect drink, hot or cold, to awaken our senses. And, oh, by the way, please pass those lemon crunch cookies–just the ticket.
I look forward to seeing you here, in the garden, next week.
God’s blessings for you this summer day,
Comments 4
Hi Cathy –
I’m more distracted if I leave my office. I’d spend all my time people watching. 🙂
I read a devotional today that talked about “The Silent Answer.” Pilate asks Jesus, “What is truth?” He answered just by standing there.
Snackwell’s cookies were my munchies tonight – chocolate, of course!
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Hi Cathy, I enjoyed your post…thinking about driving to the library and enjoying the “signs along the way.” I just purchased a new devotional, Jesus Lives, by Sarah Young. I am enjoying it very much. Each day’s thoughts are written in first person, as though Jesus is speaking to me about a particular theme. The author does a great job weaving together many thoughts from Scripture, and then on the opposite page she lists those verses. The overall topic is seeing and experiencing His love in your life. Beautiful.
I often receive a message from the Lord as I walk around our lake. He speaks to me through nature and all that He has created.
I hope all is going well. Big happenings at your house this month. Prayers going up for you often.
Blessings,
Carrie
People watching is addictive–I agree! : )
Our Lord’s wisdom is always direct, and directly to the point, isn’t it?
Thanks so much for sharing, Susan. Enjoy those cookies!
Blessings for you,
Cathy
That sounds like a wonderful book, Carrie! Such peace in words of Scripture and their application. : )
Thank you for your prayers. Yes, big changes! I’ll blog about those next week.
God’s blessings for you,
Cathy