n the front of the file drawer to the right of my desk, two red file folders
sit, bold yet understated.
They hold
precious cargo, as evidenced by the label hand written on each:
Encouragement. In those folders (one was getting too full so I added
a second) I have things like speaking evaluations from retreats that
went well, letters from friends, and notes from readers I don’t even
know.
In my life, I
have sometimes had a tendency to hold onto the discouraging words,
the criticism. Or, I make stupid mistakes and then make things worse
by beating myself up for doing so. I let the compliments, sincere as
they may be, slide like water over my skin. Refuse to drink them in,
to taste and see the goodness of a kind word. Or think, if people
knew what I was really like, they wouldn’t say nice stuff like that.
God has called me
to write—and sometimes that’s a difficult calling. I wonder why I’m
doing it, whether my words are just out there, rotting on bookstore
shelves (or worse, publishers’ warehouse shelves). The income is
sporadic and not great even when it’s there.
I’m called to
write about the spiritual life, but I also happen to be someone who
is stunningly imperfect—I am a sinner, saved by grace, and lately,
I’ve been very aware of my need for grace. Like the apostle Paul, I
keep doing things I don’t want to do, and forgetting to do the
things that would be wise and kind.
So those two
folders are not just there to stroke my ego. They are to remind me
of my purpose. They are to remind me of God’s love, which is in
spite of my mistakes, not because of my accomplishments.
The folders hold,
like a reservoir, enough to prime the pump of creative purpose.
When I sit here
and try to write, and the words won’t come, and I think—that’s it,
I’ve got no more books in me, nothing else relevant to say. When I
think, what’s the point, no one cares about this stuff, it’s not
helping anyone anyway—I dip into them. And let their contents remind
me that God has a purpose for my life, and he’s blessed me with
encouraging friends.
Lately I’ve been
getting a lot more reader mail than usual, thanks to the fact that
MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) sent out 110,000 copies of my book
Breathe to their members.
Letters from moms
who say things like “this book was divinely sent” and even “You
saved my life.”
I’ve always
thought of my books as letters of encouragement to people who just
want to connect their faith with their actual day to day life. And
so I am just so surprised and amazed and grateful for the
encouragement that comes back to me.
And in a huge
step of believing in myself, I’ve printed out those e-mails and put
them in the red folder. Because I’ve had more than a few critics,
and people arguing with me about what I write as well.
I don’t print out
their e-mails.
I do consider
their critiques, but I don’t dwell on them. And if I make a mistake
(which I do on a fairly regular basis, unfortunately) I apologize to
anyone I’ve wronged.
Do you have an
“encouragement” folder? You may not get letters from strangers, but
I hope you get drawings from your children, notes from friends,
birthday cards, whatever.
Even if you don’t
have written words to save in a folder, think about the words you
save in your memory. Do you hang on to and replay harsh words of
criticism? Do you have a folder in your heart for the words that say
“You’re not good enough”? Or do you throw those away and hang onto
words like “I’m so glad we’re friends” or “I love you.”
The good news is,
God has written you letters of love and strength. So many words in
Scripture can be filed in our “encouragement” folder. Here are just
a few. Write them on note cards, and put them in a box or folder.
When you’re feeling discouraged, pull them out and read them,
knowing that they come straight from the heart of a God who loves
you outrageously and unconditionally.
“I have loved you
with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving-kindness” (Jeremiah
31:3).
“How great is the
love that the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called
children of God. And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)
“I have called
you friends, for everything that I learned from the Father I have
made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and
bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:15,16).
“Fear not, for I
have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you
pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass
through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk
through the fire, you will not be burned” (Isaiah 43:1,2).
