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10 Minutes Peace
by Susan McGrath
I had many seed ideas this week, but by the time I got to a point where I could write them down, I seem to have lost the point. A wonderful inspiration struck me as I was cooking dinner one night, complete with humorous anecdotes and scriptural references. It evaporated about the time we sat down to eat.
In a desperate effort to reclaim an idea I could pass off as original and pass on to others, I stood at the stove, visualizing what I'd been doing when the "a-ha" moment hit me. Nothing! I guess I my stomach was so focused on the food, that my mind couldn't retain the "meat" of the message.
So here I am trying to free-flow my way to a brilliant conclusion. Some bit of wisdom that no one will have heard put precisely that way before.
I wonder if Moses ever had writer's block? Somehow I doubt it. In fact, at least once God just went ahead and wrote it down for him. I guess that saved chisel-time and guarded against typos. After all, Aaron was probably the closest thing Moses had to spell-check!
There are times, like my lightning bolt idea while toiling over the hot stove, when I do feel God has inspired me. I see some common object in a new light, or one of my kids says something and an entire column just blooms.
Then there are time like this where I sit and type aimlessly, hoping something will emerge that will elicit a small chuckle and can be tied to a scripture.
I can tell when I haven't been taking time for my ten minutes with God. My creativity dries up and, when I'm overbooked, I feel like the Dunkin Donuts man. (Remember the commercial where the guy has to keep getting up to make the donuts -- fresh twice daily. At one point he heads out the door like a zombie, mumbling "Time to make the donuts!" and meets himself coming in the door insisting, "I made the donuts!" (Sorry, visualizing that commercial still makes me laugh!)
Without God guiding my steps, they become confused and aimless just like the donut man. The Lord provides time for meditation on His word, reflection on my life and many wonderful experiences besides. I just have to be willing to grasp them.
Psalm 145:5 says, "(The generations) will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works."
Thanks, Lord, for the inspiration!
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a recovering journalist trying to encourage others and glorify God through writing;
living the small-town life with husband Tim and sons Lincoln, 12, and Sawyer, 6;
completing a few put-off writing projects while using chocolate for therapy.
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