Writer's Block

Today I'm sharing a short story that I read many years ago in the May 2003 Edition of Guideposts magazine:

Writer's Block by Joseph Caldwell 

   No birthday presents. That's what I told my friends. I'm a writer and by habit a person who keeps things simple. My sock drawer is stuffed. I have plenty of studio recordings, and I don't have a VCR or a DVD player. Dinner at a good restaurant was already planned. So no presents.

   One friend of somewhat independent mind decided otherwise. I might have considered suspending my dictum at the hint of a gift of a rave review for my latest book. But since that was not likely, he gave me a quite different present, also inspired by my calling: a ream of typing paper.

   It might seem a useless offering in this age where computers do everything. Manuscripts can be saved on disk. But I don't use a computer. I work on a manual typewriter, going through reams of paper for every draft. My Olympia portable has seen me through seven novels, two plays and who knows how many grant applications.

   Five hundred blank pages. What to make of this? Was this a declaration of faith in me as a writer? Did it represent a hope in what I might do to fill the blanks? Was it an act of love? In a way, yes.

   Yet five hundred blank pages can bring real terror to a writer, a challenge to whatever limited gifts God may have given me. An invitation to failure. All the same, it's a gift that must be fulfilled, not a present requiring a simple thank you. It's an imperative: Get busy. Accept the challenge.

   A gift unwanted, yes. But a gift I could never refuse. Not from God, not from my dear and daunting friend.

   Five hundred blank pages. Happy Birthday. Get busy.  

So... why am I sharing this today. Over the years, I've thought of this story and the challenge that was given to the writer, Mr. Caldwell. Blank pages... what an awesome gift. The opportunity to fill pages with words that will convey thoughts and ideas to others.

We all have that opportunity each and every day. Maybe not with words but we can make an impact in the lives of the people we come in contact with. We can make the most of the special gifts that God has placed in us. The ability to love, to encourage, to listen. Like a writer with a blank page, we all choose the story we are going to tell. The life we are going to live. Let's make the most of the opportunities that God gives us. Let's accept the challenge and let's get busy.    

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

The Man at Walmart

The other day I went to Walmart. As I walked through the door and grabbed a shopping cart I noticed a man.  He was sitting against the wall eating chicken nuggets from a cup. He wasn't looking around. He wasn't making eye contact with anyone. He was just sitting, looking down, eating his food.  

By his appearance, my first thought was that he was homeless and had come inside to take a break and eat. I pushed my cart, passing him. As I walked around the store, I couldn't stop thinking about him. Tears were in my eyes and I felt an incredible sadness. I wondered what he was thinking as he sat there. Did he look up and notice families and friends walking by talking to each other? Did he feel lonely? Was he wondering where he would go next? Where he would sleep that night? And then I thought what should I do to help him?  What could I do to help him?

I walked around the store putting items in my cart.  I noticed other people shopping, talking, living... Having things to do and places to go.  And I thought about the man sitting in front of Walmart.

I finished shopping and went to self checkout. I thought about getting extra cash to give the man... but I didn't. I wondered if he would still be there when I walked out. I almost hoped that he would be gone. That I wouldn't have to keep thinking about what I could do for him? What I should do for him?

As I walked outside, I looked and the man was gone. I then saw a bus parked in front of the store and people in line getting on the bus.  The man was in the line. He was getting on the bus. I felt relief and happiness. He was going somewhere. He had a destination. He was not just wandering around homeless but had a place to go.  I was thankful that God allowed me to see him getting on the bus.

Since that night, I've thought about that man and why seeing him stirred me so. Years ago I remember getting overwhelmed by all the needs in our world.  Thinking about all the pain and suffering and feeling helpless to do anything about it.  God showed me that I can't do everything but I can do something.

I can't help everyone that doesn't have a place to lay their head but I can support ministries that are trying too. I can't feed the world but I can buy groceries for someone that needs food or volunteer at a soup kitchen. I can look through my closet and give away coats that can keep someone warm. I can buy socks and send to homeless shelters. I can give to my church's benevolence fund so they can help those in need. The list is limitless...

The most important thing is that we do something.  I've heard this phrase over the years... many hands make light work.  So true. With God's help, each of us doing a little can accomplish much. God is great and greatly to be praised.

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. " Psalms 96:1-4