Discerning the Season

 Barbara Baranowski
 
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
           
          Have you ever thought about the importance of knowing when to write?  I dream of writing without ceasing. Sometimes, though, God has a different plan for me.
          We had rented a beach house for a family vacation.  Eagerly, I packed my writing equipment, fantasizing about watching the infinite billows while dashing off inspirational pieces.  My week would be a wonderful writer’s retreat. 
            After the first day, however, reality crashed through my sandcastle dreams.  Although I savored the time spent with each family member, the quiet morning was too short for my big dreams, and after the days activities I was too tired to write.  I prayed, “Lord, haven’t You called me to write?  Didn’t You provide this lovely spot?”
            I could almost hear God laughing as He spoke to my heart,  “Child, sometimes I provide writing time for you, and sometimes I place you in the middle of things to write about.  With spiritual eyes, watch the blessings unfold—teaching your grandchildren about Me in the beauty of a shell, and watching your adult children depend on My Grace to supply.  See your 90-year-old father gain strength from viewing the power of My ocean, and your husband gain nourishment through My spirit.
            I was reminded that this was not the time to write about adventures with God; it was the time to live them.  I would write about them later. God had reminded me about the importance of discerning the times. 
 
Try this Exercise
 Think about times you have experienced with your family or others.  Are there writing opportunities hidden within those adventures?  As you reflect, envision not only the delightful events, but also the difficult situations. Pray for God to open your storehouse of memories and show you ones that need to be shared so others may learn about Him. Take out photos to help you reminisce. As you relive special times, choose one photo and in sixty seconds write down everything you see in it.  Then, as you are drawn into the scene, ask God to direct your writing in such a way that others will see Him more clearly.