Thursday, February 11, 2016

Gift or Calling?


A Gift: a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a natural ability or talent.

A Calling: a strong urge toward a particular way of life or career; a vocation.

Writing has been called both a gift and a calling. I guess it could be either or it could be both.



For me I’d say writing is a gift. I’m not sure I’d go as far as to say I have a natural ability for writing but definitely my passion for words and story have been with me as long as I can remember. As a kid I had a hard time learning to read. It wasn’t until my own kids were effortlessly learning to read—when I suspected they were simply memorizing and repeating what they’d heard—that I realized that’s what I’d done. I’d inhale anything that was read to me and regurgitate it almost verbatim.  I entrained myself making up words and stories. Some I wrote down, most I stowed safely in my mind, where no one could read them and laugh at my outrageous spelling.

The stories I concocted became my private entertainment, the characters my companions. Even when I trained as a nurse I memorized signs, symptoms and treatments by implanting them in stories.

It wasn’t until 1999 that I thought of trying to actually write one of my stories down. I had an idea built around the millennium and I thought if ever there was a time to see if I could write, this was it. I discovered I loved the process. I let a few friends read what I wrote and they were enchanted by the story and characters. They encouraged me to take the next step and seek a publisher.

“You should publish that."

So easy to say, isn’t it? So hard to do!

When I read that first story now I am appalled by its inconsistencies and awed by my friend’s love, that they would see past all the things I’d done wrong to my heart and my desire to entertain them. I’ve written many stories since then, published two books. I’ve have worked hard to improve my skills, to take the gift God gave me and do the best I can with it.

But has God called me to write?

Yes, I have a strong urge toward a particular way of life—the life of a writer. And although I don't feel called to write one particular thing vs another, I strive to glorify and honour God through my words and my life. Because this is what I believe all of God's children are called to do.


What about you? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. How has God lead you?

Jayne E. Self  lives in Canada and writes mysteries--mostly. Check her website for books, book reviews, writing tips, blog posts and more.

13 comments:

  1. I definitely feel called by God to work with words. Originally, I was a librarian, then a writer and now an editor as well. Each step was a God-thing. Like you, it was showing a story (in my case the outline) to someone who encouraged me to actually go for publishing "a real book". Now I spend as much time helping others to fulfill their writing calling as I do on my own. I have to remind myself that my career is in God's hands. The point is his Kingdom, not my success as an author. Most of the time I am able to rejoice in being part of someone else's success. "I strive to glorify and honour God through my words and my life." Well said, Jayne.

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    1. I concur. Working to help others achieve their dream/call to write is another way we experience God's call on our own lives. I wonder, tho, do you--like me--yearn for just enough success to feel affirmed in your call?

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  2. Jayne, thanks for your post. I've always found this an intriguing topic. I believe the Lord has given me a gift for story telling. But interesting I'm not great with the craft and still struggle with many of the basics of sentence structure and such. I had a number of "God-moments" when writing Angelguard that made me believe he wanted me to write it with Him.

    I like how LeAnne has said it at the end. We have this wonderful opportunity to partner with the best story teller there is which is pretty amazing.

    Excellent post, Jayne.

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    1. Labouring to strengthen our writing skills is so important if we want others to read the stories God has laid on our hearts. For me, even that struggle has been fun. How about you?

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  3. You are definitely a gifted writer and editor. Your attention to detail is par none. Sometimes I wonder if my desire to write is both a gift and a curse all in one. But, I can't escape the excitement I feel when I pass a bookstore. My love for all things "bookish" is a recurring them in my life and my insatiable need to read and explore the imagination consumes me at times. It's a bumpy road but I still dream. Hats off to you for making your dream a reality. Cheers!

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    1. Hi Sonja. I know what you mean. For me, writing is almost an addiction, and I wonder at times if that should be a concern or just a source of enjoyment!

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  4. You are a true talent and inspiration Jayne, and you're voicing a life long relationship with words that so many writers understand perfectly. Writing is a private process for every author, but the inward journey that all writing requires is a shared experience of discovery. Write On! :)

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    1. Thank you, Ruth. I am honoured to share the journey with you.

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  5. You definitely have a gift for writing, Jayne. What amazes me is that our natural abilities (or lack of, in my own experience) doesn't matter at all to God. If He calls us to write, He gives whatever we need to accomplish the task, and joy to go with it. And the determination to push through the hard work of it.
    Blessings to you as you continue to write.

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    1. Amen, Janice.
      All the best in your writing, too.

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  6. I think passion is the keyword. And that is a gift--given to us. But it comes with a calling. Very circular, but important to remember that we're not speaking for ourselves.

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