Friday 19 August 2011

My Path to a Writer's Life

On a cold winter's evening in a small village in Germany, a little girl was born… But as she grew up, religious morals didn't suit her. After all, hadn't school taught her that the evolutionary process leaves all things to chance and that everyone had the right to do as they pleased? So who was the church to make rules about right or wrong? At age nineteen she met a young man from a far-away country and fell in love… and many years later something unexpected happened… If you want to read more about her journey from Atheism via New Age Philosophies to the Living God, visit www.drlepke.com.au/truth.htm#4

It’s amazing what God can do with a life that is yielded to Him. When I was young, I was so shy that my cheeks would turn red every time someone tried to engage me in conversation. I felt left out, alone, wistfully eying the ‘in crowd’ and escaping into a world of books. Even my husband wasn’t happy about me being a spectator rather than a participant in social activities. Little did he know that God would one day grant his desire and give him a brand new wife; one that would very much participate indeed. To God be the glory!

But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a writer. Especially not writing in a foreign language! I’ve always loved books, but writing? Me? Never! I didn’t even like learning when I was young.  My love of knowledge wasn’t awakened until I began studying natural medicine here in Australia, where I became fascinated by the intricacies of the human body and the prospect of being able to help people regain their health. But when I became a Christian in 1983 through the witness of two clients, my focus shifted to learning about God and His word. I would get up really early before anyone else was awake and sit at the kitchen table with my brand new bible, a cup of coffee, my ever-present crayon markers, and a special pen to note those precious treasures I found.

Many years have passed since then, but my passion for sharing the gospel has never stopped. And neither has my passion for learning, which eventually took me through all the stages of academia. I noticed a lack of growth and fervency among believers, and discrepancies between some church practices and what was written in Scripture. And somehow this stirred a desire in me to do something about it. At first I thought, “We already have such an information overload, what’s the use of adding more? “ But then I came across a book by Charles Mackintosh (penned in 1898!), and what I read inspired me to start writing:

“We do not deem any apology necessary for adding yet another to the numerous publications already extant, having for their object the circulation of pure truth. We want them all – and thousands more. We cannot have too many agencies for the furtherance of that which is good, and the suppression of that which is evil, for it is a lamentable fact that the enemy of souls has wrought far more diligently at the printing press than the servants of the living God. Numerous as are the books…in which the words of eternal truth shine…yet are they outnumbered, to an appalling amount, by publications of an infidel, immoral, and irreligious tendency.”

These words stirred my soul because they are as valid today as they were more than 100 years ago. It was like God saying to me, “Go, girl!” I have since written many articles for educational purposes, magazines and websites, and am now working on my first two books. Academic writing has always been easy for me. But to convey those facts in a creative way that keeps the reader hooked, now that is quite a different kettle of fish (oh, by the way, I love those busy fish on your blog, Jo!).

Becoming part of a writer’s community is a new experience for me, and I am hoping to get to know some of you along the way. Thank you for your inspiring posts!

Margaret is a naturopath, counsellor, writer, Web designer and speaker to Christian women. She and her husband also run a counselling, mediation and retreat ministry.
  
Margaret's professional website: www.drlepke.com.au 
Ministry: www.biblicalrescue.org 
Blog: http://drmargaretstreasurechest.blogspot.com 

13 comments:

  1. Hi Margaret,
    Your quote from Charles Mackintosh I found very encouraging. Thank you. May God continue to bless your ministry.
    Jennifer Ann

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  2. I, too, worry that there's so much out there so who am I to add to it. Thanks for putting it in perspective.

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  3. Margaret the little bit of your journey shared here has inspired me. I admire those who have changed their country language and culture and achieve so much. Thanks for writing. My little fish are a bit of fun. Thanks. X

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  4. Yes, Margaret we have the challenge to write the Good News into our stories in such a way that it captures the heart as well as the mind. People are so busy, busy, busy we have to virtually grab their attention from that first page. And it takes WORK backed by PRAYER.

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  5. Thanks for sharing your story, and the reminder why we need to keep writing and writing well.

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  6. A very encouraging and very well written post, Margaret. No wonder God challenged you to explore and use your talent for writing! Thank you so much for sharing this snippet of your journey and I look forward to reading more on your website.

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  7. Thanks for sharing Margaret. I enjoyed hearing about how God brought you to this point in your journey. You do write beautifully and I have no doubt God will continue to use you. Blessings.

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  8. Wow - thanks to all of you for commenting SO QUICKLY and, of course, for the encouragement. We all need that, and I am determined to set other things aside from now on to do the same for you. And hopefully there'll be a chance to get to know some of you more personally down the track. One last thing: Rita, you're so right - WORK backed by PRAYER. Thanks for introducing me to this inspiring group of writers.

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  9. They did comment quickly. Before I went out for a few hours, this new post was not up, and there it was when I got home. Thank you, Margaret, for this post and for the quote from Charles Macintosh, which was spot on.

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  10. Lovely to meet you Margaret
    I just love hearing everyones stories of how they started writing!
    I thought I was the only one who was new at all this, writing and blogging etc, but I am finding out diffentely!
    Because of your story, you have inspired me to keep loving and praying for my New Age friends, thankyou for that Margaret. Lynne :)

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  11. Margaret, thanks for sharing your inspiring journey with us :) I appreciate your encouraging words.

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  12. Wow. To write in a foreign language sounds incredible to me. Thank you for a great post Margaret.

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  13. Hi Margaret, your story is inspirational - thank you for sharing. xx

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