When - 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes
When did I become a writer?
Could it have been those first years having stories read to me. Falling in love with rhymes and poems. Hearing lullabies sung to me. Reveling in words being spoken to me.
Could it have been when my 2nd grade teacher sat me in front of a computer for the first time to write my stories.
Could it have been the journals and poetry books written by hand.
Could it have been getting lost in books and not wanting to come back to reality.
Could it have been the pen pal letters and delighting in receiving and sending a hand written note.
Could it have been when I wrote to feel close to home and family; with letters written by candlelight under the dark African sky. The journal pages I filled with new experiences. The stretching beyond my comfort. The lessons of humility.
When did I become a writer?
Could it have been the weekly sermons and monthly newsletter articles.
Could it have been the blog posts and continued journaling by hand.
Could it have been the countless books on the nightstand and the never-ending to-be-read list.
Could it have been the letters to my children written so they would know my love for them.
Could it have been the books read before bed over and over again.
When did I become a writer?
Could it have been when I first spoke the word out loud. Writer. Trying to see how it fit. Wondering if it really was true. Wondering if I had it in me.
Or was it when I believed that my words matter. That my story and my experiences are unique. Did I become a writer when I believed God's words to me: You are loved.
You are loved, you are loved, you are loved.
I am a writer because God first loved me. So I write from that love.
I am a writer.
**All month I'll be participating in 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. Each day I'll take some time (sometimes 5 minutes and sometimes a little more) to sit down and write. It's about the discipline of writing each day. It's about listening to the words from within. It's about letting creativity work in me. I'll share my writing at some point during the day on my blog. Thanks for reading.