I love to sing. I admit, I'm not all that good at it-certainly not recording artist material-but I love it. You should hear me in the car when I'm all alone and the music is turned up loud. I sing with abandon, and praise God with my whole heart. I know He thinks my voice is beautiful!
But it's a different story when I'm in front of the church. I want to sing with abandon, I want to praise God with my whole heart. But instead, my throat tightens, my voice trembles. And even though I know I shouldn't, I remember the day they laughed.
It was years ago, my first attempt at singing a solo in a previous church. The older couple sat on the front row, arms crossed and brows furrowed. Why did I continue to look at them? Why didn't I zoom in on the faces of my precious family, smiling at me from the third row?
My heart pounded as the song began. My voice-clear and strong in the car-came out weak and unsure onstage. And then the moment came. The one I had dreaded since I stepped up to the podium. The high note squeaked out . . . off-key.
My eyes went straight to the couple, hoping for grace and acceptance. The husband elbowed his wife. She rolled her eyes, crinkled her mouth into a smirk, and shook her head.
I had specifically chosen that song to minister to our body. Our church was at a crossroad, and the words were just what we needed to hear-a message of hope and confidence in the power of God. But instead of encouraging the people, I had caused them to laugh.
Yes, it was only one couple. But they are the ones I remember. Their response is the one that's indelibly printed on my mind.
I still sing, and I love it, but oh, how I want to be able to sing onstage with abandon, like I do when it's just God and me in the car with the music turned up loud.
That experience reminds me to support and lift others up, even though they may not be the best soloist or the best Sunday School teacher or the best preacher I've ever heard. Ephesians 4:29 tells us to build up others, according to their needs.
Satan is the author of destructive criticism. Let's look for opportunities to minister to each other through the gift of encouragement.
For writers, our opportunity to encourage is in the critique process. New writers are often sensitive to negative feedback. And although they must hear the negative in order to learn the process of writing well, we can make it more palatable by sandwiching suggestions between compliments. Even if the manuscript is rough and needs lots of work, we can take the extra time to find something good. If we look for it, there will be something positive we can say.
Writers, let's commit to being wise stewards of our words. Let's ask God to guard our mouths and give us discernment as we help each other through the process. Yes, there will be negative comments that must be said. Yes, there will be changes that must be made. But let's not be like the couple on the front row, crossing our arms and laughing.
We can be the difference between helping someone sing on the page with abandon or causing them to tremble at their computer with fear. It's all in the delivery and the heart.
(Photo compliments of )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We Need Kudos!
Speaking of encouraging words, your successes can be encouragement to other writers. If you've received a contract, had a book, article, devotional, or any other publishing credit, or any other writing/speaking news to share, please email me this week with the details (your name, your state, and your news). We'd love to celebrate with you next week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And the winner is…
Abi! Abi, be sure to email me with your mailing address and Linda Rooks will send you an autographed copy of her new book, Broken Heart on Hold, Surviving Separation.
And readers, I know from your emails that you'll want a copy of this book, either for yourselves or for others. I wish we had one for everybody. But since we don't, please take the time to order your copy here. This is a book that could change your life, your marriage, or the marriage of someone else. This book is too important to pass up. Thank you, Linda, for writing it and for sharing it with us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And now, I leave you with these encouraging words from Paul:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
