Writers see the world differently. Every voice we hear, every face we see, every hand we touch could become story fabric. – Unknown
I absolutely love my job as a newspaper columnist. I cant help but think how many lives I have the opportunity to speak to on a weekly basis. Every time I sit down and think about it, I feel humbled and blessed. To be the vessel in which God chooses to work through and bless others by is just incredible. I could never imagine that I, a man with cerebral palsy and a learning disability, could be used by God in such a way. We truly have an awesome God.
The whole point of why I do what I do is to give people hope and encouragement to face everyday reality. There is a brutal, negative world out there that seems to want to destroy everyone in its path. We hear about all the violence going on, but where oh where is a glimmer of hope? That is where I hope I can come in and offer some words of encouragement and get people to reach for new heights in their lives. I understand the temptation may be great to give up, but sometimes all it takes is one word of encouragement to change everything in someones life. This is where this column comes in.
I was seeing people who were weighed down by the troubles of this world and felt like they have no escape from what they are going through. Even worse, they have no hope. When people cant find hope for themselves, they sometimes wonder, What is the point of life? We see people who try to escape the despair of life by any means necessary, by alcohol, sex, drugs, money or assuming another identity in order to be a part of the in crowd. Having a disability and having to overcome so much in my own life, I felt a responsibility to be a part of the solution. I saw people who are more disabled in their thinking than I am physically. I felt like this wasnt by any means right and I needed to do something about it. Writing was a way for me to get my message out and encourage people to live up to their potential. Besides, I had always wanted to be a writer, but I didnt know how to get started. Now, Im writing and helping people at the same time; what could be better?
I remember when I took this job. At first it was only an editorial about the difference between being negative and being positive. I remember I put my heart and soul into it, writing like it was the best opportunity I ever had In my whole life. When it was completed, I hand delivered it to the newspaper office. I was right there when they read it, and I was pretty nervous, but when they were done I had a job offer. At first it was to write a column every two weeks, and I jumped on it. On the drive home I felt I was getting in way over my head. I didnt know the first thing about journalism, let alone about having my own column; however, I accepted the job so I would just have to learn one way or another.
My head was swimming with ideas on what to write about, and I had trouble picking just one topic and sticking to it. Not only that but also I was overly critical about my work. I wanted it to sound professional and be absolutely perfect. After I would write a piece, I would say to myself, What business do you have doing this? You are unqualified. I could have sworn all the columns I wrote that first year were no good; however, people seemed to enjoy and be encouraged by my columns, so I kept on writing. I figured as long as I was doing what I felt in my heart that I knew God called me to do, I was going to do it to the best of my ability.
As time went by I grew more comfortable in the role I found myself in. The idea of writing had always been a fantasy to me ever since I was a little boy. I would dream of having my own book in bookstores across this great land. As I came of age, going out into the world and getting a good job became more in the forefront of my mind. I put away my fantasy of writing and being a world-renowned author and tried to be realistic about my career options; however, I learned sometimes what we call realistic is foolishness in Gods eyes, and what we call foolishness is in effect what we are put on this Earth to do.
We call God the almighty. The word almighty is all inclusive, meaning there is absolutely nothing He cant do, but yet we treat Him as if He is limited. I know I was limiting Him with my writing by always being critical toward what I wrote and not seeing what effects it had on people. I was not letting Him take over. God did grant me grace to see some of the ways people were getting blessed by the column, and I realized it was taking a life of its own. Only God can do that, no writing talent I may possess could live up to the possibilities in Him.
After eight months of writing every two weeks, I started writing on a weekly basis. I know only God could sustain me with having a job and a weekly column. I let go and put God in command of the column. Today it remains one of the best decisions I ever made. Now, about writing a book, Ive been working extra hard trying to get one done. God is in charge of that project as well. Having a job, a weekly column and writing my first book puts a unbelievable amount of stress on a person. If it was only me, and God was out of the picture, I would never make it. He is the one who brings everything into alignment and makes it all run smoothly.
In conclusion: I want to thank all of you who read this every week or when you can. It is God and all of you who make this so successful. I receive letters, emails and get stopped in the store by some of you who enjoy reading this column. I will with Gods help write more encouraging columns every week. Thank you again, and I love each and every one of you. See you next week.
