To say it’s been a difficult, troubling season for all of us would be an understatement. More than 100,000 loved ones dead in the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States alone and many more affected in a multitude of ways. Sheltering at home. Businesses closed. Schools closed. Church buildings closed. Jobs lost. The world has a dystopian, nightmarish quality some days. Then came the horror of George Floyd’s death at the hands of police. Along with the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. The anguish and responses across the country over such naked, ugly racism rearing its head over and over again overwhelms many of us. I make my living with words. Yet I find myself at a loss for them in the face of the unfathomable events of the past few months.
Like many others, I imagine like those reading this article, I’m trying to figure out not only where our nation goes from here, but where do I go as an individual who can’t and won’t ignore the travesties perpetuated against my fellow citizens? How can it be business as usual? How can I write Amish romances and romantic suspense novels when my country implodes? How can I hawk books? Do they matter? Is it disrespectful? Should I be on my soapbox on social media with so many others? Do my words make a difference?
Someone on the news the other day said, “All we can do is pray.” I wanted to weep. It is what we must do, not a poor substitute for action. Prayer is the most important tool, the most important weapon, we have in this season of our lives and this era in our country. Before we do anything else, we pray for our leaders. We pray for family members who see their loved one’s death aired over and over again on national media outlets. Pray for an end to racism, bigotry, misogyny, and hate in any form. Pray we do better, that we are better human beings. All of us, you and me, and the other guy. No one has exclusive access to the high ground these days. Let’s all go there together.
I pray for discernment, for words, for God’s direction. My writing is my ministry. I write stories to illustrate the truths of our Christian faith. My writing offers entertainment, hope, a sweet, if momentary, release. Faith is meant to be shared. My stories are my testimony.
I choose to do my work and pray it pleases God. That it gives readers a moment of repose and maybe even the spark that they need to continue to believe and hope and find joy. Joy is everywhere, even now. In our children and grandchildren, in the hummingbirds outside my breakfast nook window, and in sharing our faith with others.
Please see past what might seem like shameless promotion to the desire of my heart: to be an ambassador for Christ through Christian worldview stories.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from readers. Godspeed, my friends.
