Hope for hard days

 

Life is the source of inspiration for our writing but sometimes life knocks us off course and puts us in such a spin that writing is nearly impossible. A phone call out of the blue in late January was such an event. It shattered my peace and spun my head into chaos. I have struggled to think straight since. 

 

Last month I was rescued by the lovely Annmarie Miles, when I admitted at the last minute that I was unable to think clearly or write. Thank you, Annmarie, you did an excellent job. This month my blog is being submitted late and my mind still a bit scrambled. 

 

It’s not just the blog that has been affected. My plans to move forward with the Myka stories have also suffered: no marketing plan has been launched; no social media campaign was embarked on. Instead of putting myself out there, I sighed and cried and prayed. But I have not given up. Myka the fictional dog is still wagging her tail and hoping I’ll finish the walk we started. In the future I will write and finish this journey because time will heal and my mind will calm. 

 

As April has unfolded with days of mixed weather and emotions, it has brought me renewed inspiration. Dark grey rain clouds threatened on the horizon putting the last of the magnolia’s lilac bloom into stark contrast. Storms unleashed harsh downpours and then, just as suddenly, fluffy white clouds appeared and blue skies reclaimed the sky overhead. The sun is revealed once more - the sun which had only recently been a grey eye barely visible through the gloom. It has reminded me that it is always there, even when hidden behind the clouds, and that appearances can be deceptive. Springs sings the age-old song of storms and sunshine, birth and hope. 

 

I have in my house a picture of a simple African roundhouse, parched grass in the foreground, dark clouds in the background. It reminds me that storms, which can be destructive and unmooring may also bring much needed rain and hope for renewal.

Lamentations 3:21-24

New International Version

21 Yet this I call to mind

    and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

Nicky Wilkinson has been writing MTW blogs for two years. Previously a mum in Prague and a teacher in Zimbabwe, she has settled into granny-hood in Sheffield. She enjoys, running a bit, increasingly playing her sax and guitar and the odd painting. She joined ACW 5yrs ago. Serving on the committee, she got fired up to write and contributed articles to Christian magazines. She is now on the verge of publishing her first children's book illustrated by her mum.