Excuses, Excuses
by Donna Mumma
(Jeremiah 30:2 NKJ).
We writers are a peculiar lot. A passion for words fills us. We observe the details and events surrounding us, collect names and phrases for future works, and love the power of putting letters together on a page to broadcast the message God has given us.
We can also become masters of avoidance. Our houses require cleaning. Clothes need to be laundered. Pets want walks or playtime. Family members ask for rides to events, meals, assistance, or a shoulder to cry on. Other demands on our time come from church ministries, neighbors we help, and jobs that enable us to pay the bills. But the ways we can divide ourselves stand firm and finite. Some things must be put aside to avoid physical and mental exhaustion. We’re only human, right?
How do we move beyond the compulsion to find reasons not to write and pursue our desire to comply and create? Let’s consider our top five excuses and God’s likely answers.
1. We say, “I can’t write this. I don’t know how.”
God answers, “There are many out there willing, able, and waiting to help you. Find them and learn.”
2. We say, “I don’t have the time, I’m too busy.”
God answers, “I have all the time in the world. I’ll give you all you need.”
3. We say, “I don’t know what to say.”
God answers, “I have all the words. Listen, and I’ll whisper them to you.”
4. We say, “My platform is too small, my other books didn’t sell well, I don’t have the numbers.”
God answers, “I wrote an entire book about handling numbers and finding your audience. Read it and learn.”
5. We say, “Who wants to listen to anything I have to say?”
God answers, “I do. So, sit down and write.”
As we move into a new year of goals and possibilities, let’s focus on how to complete our writing, not avoid it. God sent us this calling. He is waiting to hear what we have to say.
Dear Lord, let us all believe this is the year of “Yes, I will!” in every aspect of our writing. Amen.
Donna Mumma writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction seasoned with a sense of adventure and suspense. An avid believer in education, she holds a M.Ed. in Elementary Education. She serves as a chapter mentor for Word Weavers International. A native Floridian, Donna lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband. She is the mom of two college boys and an energetic collie named Duke. Connect with her at www.donnamumma.me, Instagram @mumma704, Twitter@DonnaMumma1 and Facebook.
You’re taking away the steam in my pessimism! 🙂
Lol! Doing it to myself as well! I’m speaking from experience here.
These all hit home for me! Finding time and wondering who would want to read (or care about) what I might write are two of my biggest roadblocks. Thanks for the simple but powerful reminders that God will help us past any excuses to write what He’s called us to.
Leigh, I’m so thrilled this helped you. I struggle with all these myself every time I sit down to write.