Inspiration Stations by Lesley Hargreaves

So where does inspiration strike you? I wish I could be one of those people who sit in front of

their computer looking out onto a beautiful garden, while the birds sing and then God will

zap me with ideas and storylines. All of these storylines will be beautifully intertwined and

spellchecked and everything I write will be both encouraging and challenging – all things will

fall into place and be marvellous. Is that how God uses you when you write? Will you let me

know your secret?

It's not that I don’t ever sit to write – obviously, I have to if I want to actually produce

anything. However, for me, as someone who is primarily a blogger, it’s important to pick up

on God’s cues in my everyday life. Often these cues are not fully formed. They are just

fragments of thoughts – sometimes very tiny fragments.

These thoughts come to me in very strange places.

For instance – the shower. Sometimes, standing under the hot jet for longer than is strictly

necessary or beneficial, perhaps telling the showerhead just who has been annoying me today

and a little one-off thought pops in.

Or, when I travel to work on the bus, I can choose between Diana Ross in my earphones or

staring out of the window and letting my thoughts wander. (Both are good options by the

way). But when I give myself a bit of quiet a little possibility of an idea can creep in.

Or sleep. Sometimes while I’m in bed, usually in the early morning (I’m not coherent enough

at night) I can hear a little voice. “Remember this? You could write about it? What would you

want to say?”

Of course, the challenge is then to remember the details that I have been given, as I am the sort

of person who forgets what she has come to buy when she is actually entering the shop. The

important thing is to remember to write it down – a scribbled note for later is usually enough

(tricky in the shower).

I have heard people speak of “thin places” where God seems close and hearing from Him is

easier. They are usually beautiful places like Lindisfarne or a beautiful night sky like this one, 

but for me, it seems my Inspiration Stations are more mundane – blink and you could miss 

them. I’m learning slowly to tune in better to catch His breath.

Lesley lives in the South West of England and blogs about everyday life at https://wrinklymartha.blogspot.com