Shifting Horizons

 

    The path led along the side of a field, autumn was taking it’s hold, the green growth of summer now dry and brown. In front of me was a sea of brittle thistles, tangled weeds and faded grasses. Taking a step back and raising my eyes brought a very different scene into perspective, green fields and habitation under a blue cloudy sky, the brown grasses & weeds now the soft foreground of a bigger story.

It reminds me of my writing at times. If I keep my head down and just stick to what I usually write and what I prefer to read, then I can miss out. I can find myself stuck, unable to see growth and needing fresh input. I know the Autumn Gathering has been mentioned a few times, but I’d like to give it a shout out too. It is the first ‘in person’ ACW event I have been to and I found that for me, it was a perspective shifter in a number of areas. Here are three -

1)      It enabled me to meet other writers, all so unique and gifted in different ways, I could appreciate them as people rather than a few lines of bio at the bottom of a blog or the back of a book.

2)      I was able to hear from others who shared ideas, experiences, faith journeys and advice which made the world of writing a more rounded place.

3)      I took the opportunity to buy a few books that wouldn’t be my usual reading genre. I decided to try flash fiction as I was intrigued as to how this works, I also picked up a  fantasy fiction novel.  I’m looking forward to some different reading.

It’s good to experience new things and sometimes when things stall in our own writing or even before that happens, it might be time to take a step back and look around. We may even see a few ‘weeds’ that need to be pulled up to make room for fresh growth and new perspectives. After all God is a God who loves to lift us up and show us life from His perspective. We read in Ephesians 2 v 6

^‘ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,’

When God gives us his perspective it makes such a difference. Do you need to take a step back from your writing?

 Bio

Meryl McKean loves writing devotionals and poems and has had a few articles published over the years as well as using her writing in her work. She wants her writing to be a tool which helps others draw closer to God. She is married to Andy and lives in Bedford. Her day job as a member of her church staff leadership team is full of challenges and opportunities.