The holidays are over and once again we face an uncertain year to come. We dashed up to Newport Beach, CA in mid December to visit Chip, a childhood friend of my husband’s who was in CCU with double pneumonia and lung cancer. When we returned, after the holidays, we found he is on Hospice and time is short. The day after we visited him, my husband, Frank, came down with a bad chest cold and I wasn’t sure we’d be able to board the plane for Florida a day or two later. At least at my daughter’s he could rest and recover. Stress sometimes affects the immune system! Frank has lost 5 friends in the last year and a half, and Chip would be number 6. It is sad when you reach 87 and most of your friends are gone. My husband is fortunate to be able to still play tennis 3 to 4 times a week, work on his boat and enjoy his book club. (They are all younger than he is!).
Stress can affect our writing. I was sad over Chip, and other friends going through difficult circumstances and sat at my computer like a deer in the headlights. I have a book to finish, but no inspiration would come. Under some circumstances We cannot just work it up and soldier on. Then a dear friend in Branson, MO sent me a word from the LORD that she had received and felt led to pass on. It was just what I needed to hear and reminded me that inspiration comes from the LORD. The gift of story, is from the LORD. The enemy wanted to emotionally stop the flow of creativity, but I remembered my source. Everything we have is His. I sent up a quick prayer of thanks for His help and gave the writing back to Him. Yes, the story began to flow and the words began to fill the pages. I am so thankful for friends who are listening to the LORD and obedient to share what He has put on their heart.