“Can I be real?”
There is a lady in my church who stirs everyone up
with high expectation and interest when she mounts the pulpit. She endears her
listeners with what she speaks about and her mannerisms in body language. She
goes by a nickname – ‘Can I be real?’ The pic below shows the real me. No make-up.
No hair attachments. No dyeing of hair. No Jewelry or fancy clothes. Just the real me!
Today, I want to be real. How many of you check up
their posts on this forum –More Than Writers with some form of expectation? Can I be real? I was disappointed about my
December post. Just 2 responses [aside my comments]! It felt like when one
calls out for a book launch or whatever.And just the few!! Thank God for the faithful few! I can imagine how Lord Jesus must have felt
when only one leper out of ten came back to say, ‘Thank you’. There has been so
much encouragement given to us writers as Christians and in our writing. I know that many members are not always on
face book or able to respond to posts. Still, this 2022, let us encourage each
other here. Can I be real? It may seem some
posts attract friends of the writer. [Hope not!!!!]. Let us make the extra effort. The other day, a member mentioned her taking
time to respond to all the posts she’d missed!! That is commitment. Iron sharpens
iron. We owe this to ourselves on this forum. I'm also addressing myself!!
Sophia Anyanwu is British Nigerian, lives in SE
London and is a part time tutor, writer and poet. She is a multi-genre writer
but recently writes Christian fiction. Stories for Younger Generations was
published in 2017 followed by The Confession, Turning the Clock Hands Backwards
and Stories for Older Generations [Stories from the Heart]. Their Journey on
Earth to Heaven was released on February 2018. All of Sophia’s books are
available from her website: www.olusolasophiaanyanwuauthor.com
, Amazon or local bookshops.
The subject of 'being real' is very close to my heart Sophia.Yesterday I attended the funereal of a dear friend, and it was a beautiful tribute to all that was best and most spiritual about her, including her incredible artistic vision. Yet we all have parts of ourselves that we hope won't be highlighted in the eulogies at our funeral! I knew her well as we were friends from early primary school age, and I was aware of many more sides to her. Yet ultimately it's our relationships that matter, and the love we shared. You are right - it is so disappointing as a writer when you don't receive a response. The life of every creative person is full of disappointment and yet we feel impelled to carry on obeying that creative urge. In the realm of online writing we have to share our posts everywhere on social media platforms; and hope we make a connection at some point. If we don't receive an immediate response we must trust that we never know when someone somewhere might see what we have written online, and be uplifted by it, but will never give feedback: this is human nature.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this encouragement. God bless you.
DeleteYou are so beautiful Sophia, even without the adornments! And it is ok to be real. I agree that disappointment is just something we have to learn to live with, daily sometimes, as writers. We long to know what people think of our writing and if it's blessed them. And so few people tell us. I, like you, look regularly to see if I have comments or reviews, and perhaps that isn't a good thing! And then we suddenly get a surprise email or comment or review, and we know that it is worth carrying on doing what we are doing! And ALWAYS we have to remind ourselves that God sees and knows and gives us five star reviews, because we are using the gift He has given us, and He will use it. Saying all that. I must try to be better at leaving encouragement for others! Bless you, Sophia!
ReplyDeleteWhat anamazing thought to realise that even if no one acclaims us God does with 5 stars!!!!!! Thank you so much for this encouragement. My point is that charity begins at home! God bless you.
DeleteThank you Sophia for your beautiful photo and thought-provoking post. "Can I be real?" So important. I find it hard though.
ReplyDeleteGod will help you as He as promised. God bless you!
DeleteHi, Sophia!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about not having many comments. It says more about other people's lives and busyness than about your writing. December 28 was in the Christmas holidays and hardly anyone (my estimate!) was looking at blogs.
Your writing and enthusiasm are inspiring. Keep going!
What was I thinking! With the turkey, wine and gifts to look at!!! Thank you so much for your last sentence. It means a lot to me. God bless you!
DeleteI think Susan is right - the timing of posts can have a big effect on how many people read (and respond to) them. But it is good when we remember to encourage one another in our writing - thanks for the prompt.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Fiona. You remind me of Lord Jesus 's response to Petr when he hit the nail on the head in his answer to who the Lord Jesus really is!! Thanks for your insight and encouragement. God bless you!
DeleteI love the honesty and vulnerability of this post and have also felt the same at times. Did you know that Mon, Tue & Wed are the days when most downloads happen. Therefore, the best days to post for immediate response.
ReplyDeleteOhh wow! Brendan, that is a great observation!! Will give it a go next time. Thanks for your encouragement. God bless you!
DeleteI know how it feels - I tend not to get lots of responses, and as for my books - well very few ACWs have read them or, possibly, would like them if they did (but, fellow writers, have you tried?) For comments, I have a rule (my own) that I must not be too controversial, I won't simply say something already said in order to be nice, and that if I don't agree with the writer I just creep away. Being quiet is less - controversial. It means people can't get one wrong, and upset the writing day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honesty! I get you! God bless you Clare.
DeleteVery good, Sophia. Yes, you have exposed yourself as vulnerable. Most of us hide that vulnerability, you know.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a parable to me!! Thanks for your comment.God bless you.
DeleteA very busy day means I have only now (22.40) found time to read your blog. The 'real' you and the 'going out' you are both beautiful, and your blog reminds me how much encouragement means.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you real good, Veronica! We writers are only human and have each other. If we don't encourage each other in the different areas of our writing, who will? Thank you so much for your beautiful comments and encouragement. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI'll hold on to your simple message! 'Can I be Real?' Thank you for that and please thank your friend.
ReplyDeleteGreat honest blog, Sophia. I always admire your amazing author pic - but equally love the other one! I'm a bit behind on MTW but am now catching up and this one is a jewel.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ruth! That is encouraging!
DeleteThank you! I tend to read in big batches when I have time to sit down. Being real is hard sometimes, isn't it?! As Christian writers, it's especially important to encourage one another, I feel, and you're a wonderful example, Sophia. Your words and comments are such a blessing!
ReplyDeleteThan you so much Maressa. If we Christians are not real, what can we expect of the 'gentiles'? Thanks for the encouragement!
DeleteI would want to say, both the unadorned and the dressed-up you are real. They are just different aspects of you. We are all to some extent different people in different contexts and that is fine, because we play different roles. So long as we are honest and open, all of those people are real.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Veronica! The problem is how many of us can accept our unadorned selves? Hard to for me, but like you said, it is the same person in different roles. Being honest and open is so ey for us as Christians to mirroer our Saviour to the unsavd! Thanks and blessings!
DeleteLove that picture Sophia and love that you are real. I really appreciate all of the comments you have ever made on my blog posts. You are an encourager. I tend to catch up with posts in swathes, sometimes not looking at them for a couple of weeks. Apologies for those of yours I've missed. I totally understand how soul-destroying it it. You might want to read an old post of mine where I addressed this issue a little: http://morethanwriters.blogspot.com/2019/11/conquering-insecurity-well-managing-it.html
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Georgie. I was also addressing myself. Since my post, I have made a conscious effort to always read blog posts no matter how late in the day! I'm running off to read yesterday's post!! Thanks for loving my pic and your encouragement. Blessings!
ReplyDelete