Write a Story

I usually wave my beloved off to work each morning, perched on a large rock on the side of our steep driveway, then run indoors to have breakfast with a good book for company. Recently as my breakfast-time-reading I enjoyed “A Praying Life” by Paul E. Miller. The book taught me, fed my spirit and got me thinking. I usually receive dozens of prayer requests from family and friends. There are times though (I must confess) when I struggle to pray sufficiently for all of those needs. (Discipline, Anusha. Discipline!)

A tool which I’ve found helpful in intercession is my little prayer diary, one which I carry everywhere with me. On its leaves, I list prayer needs sequentially. When I reach the last page, I copy all the unanswered requests into a new prayer diary and repeat the process. The system has worked really well for over 25 years, but lately, my prayer life had become a tad jaded. Paul Miller blessed me with a fresh cocoon of an idea; one which made my heart thump with excitement. Paul uses prayer cards not lists, jotting down the name of a person or topic per card—unsaved friends, people in need, sick folks and the like. A brilliant notion.

I rummaged through my pile of notebooks and found the perfect little diary. I opened it to the first page and wrote my son’s name on it, listing his prayer needs and chose a Bible verse that was just right for him. Next I added family and friends’ names, allocating a few pages to each and including a relevant verse for every person or group. I used four pages to record my own needs, dreams and Bible verses, selecting another two pages for my writing journey.

My sagging prayer life bounced back with a freshness it had lacked for a long while. (Thank you Paul Miller!) I spoke life, hope, health, joy, freedom, purpose, salvation into many hearts and lives. It was interesting to note that the cover of my newest prayer diary had an unusual title. “Write a Story” it declared boldly. Perhaps by talking to God on behalf of others, I was re-writing their lives? What do you think? My night-time reading a few days later was ‘Praying Circles around your Children” by Mark Batterson. It was thrilling to discover that Mark Batterson had the same idea too. Surely God was speaking to me?

 “The perfect way to predict your future is to create it.” Abraham Lincoln

Psychologists ask us to envision the future we desire and to create it through visualisation. But that’s a new age concept isn’t it? How does visualisation work? I have no idea. But prayer is different. Prayer works because God is sovereign and cares for His world on a moment by moment basis. Prayer works through the power of the Holy Spirit as He guides us, the body of Christ, to partner with Him as He wills and carries out His purposes in our world. What an honour to be included in God's plans!

You and I will agree that most of our stories are crafted via our computers as we write with our Creator and for Him. But stop for a moment with me and dream a different kind of dream. Perhaps … just perhaps … another kind of story is being birthed, every time you and I pray? Those are the real life stories, being fashioned through intercession—stories whose characters are walking and leaping around the stage of life. Each of these novels might even reach their happy endings because of your prayers and mine. Isn’t that encouraging?

I love writing stories, don’t you?

Tell me about your stories, please, all of them.

I’m listening.

And don’t forget … God’s listening too!

Anusha Atukorala is a writer and speaker with music in her heart and a message to proclaim. The abundant love of a faithful God is her theme song. God’s call to writing in 2007 led Anusha on a Grand Adventure which continues to surprise and thrill her. Anusha loves to build the body of Christ and to encourage others through the written and spoken word. Her first book ‘Enjoying the Journey’ is comprised of 75 little God stories. 

She has twelve short stories published in Anthologies and lots more in the pipeline. Do drop in to say G’day at her website Dancing in the Rain. She’d love to meet you.

Those "Hit for Six" Kinda Days

When you have a headache, do you: 

a) lie down in a darkened room, doing your very best Freddy Krueger impression when the  hubby dares to peek through the window, letting in a splinter of light;

b) soldier on - willing, with every fibre of your being, for the pounding to ease up just long enough to get the last chapter of your award-winning novel completed, at least semi-coherently; or

c) run straight for the medicine cabinet for 2 paracetamol; after all, the commercials all assure you that they will, "work rapidly, allowing you to get on with your day!"

I never used to be a paracetamol girl; no, for many years I trooped on like a martyr, desperate to prove that I was strong enough to withstand the stabbing pain in my temples, trudging my way through the day, barely able to concentrate, let alone actually stay awake on the 45 minute bus ride home. Woe was I, and subtly, I made sure that everyone was aware of the humble sacrifice I was making for the sake of my job.

The other reason I avoided taking the Herron Blue or Panadol was I had a deep-seated distrust that they would actually work. I don't know why I felt that way, perhaps it was because I just didn't believe strongly enough in their advertising campaigns. I mean, it's not like one could feel the effects of the capsules' contents weaving their magic immediately after swallowing them; who was to say that they would actually do what they were intended to do?

Funnily enough, becoming a mum was enough to tip the scales in the completely opposite direction! Suddenly pain relief was the number one item on my shopping list; adult strength, kids, (3 months - 2 years and 5 years +), orange, strawberry, banana or cherry, tablets, caplets, chewable and rapid release; you name it, we had it! 

So, why the change of heart? Simply because I no longer had the luxury of allowing a headache to knock me for six; I had a mission, a job to do, and there was no one else better qualified for the role than me. That meant I had to take a chance, to believe that, even though I couldn't feel the medicine working in me straight away, it was in fact working and would make a difference in my body, or at least in my pain levels.

And the more I live and write for Christ, the more I realise two specific things.

Firstly - spiritually I will have days when I feel 'hit for six,' when I just want to stay under the covers and not go to church, or make that phone call . . . or write that blog spot. Ahhh, yes, you know what I'm talking about, right?! Every single one of us will have these 'blah' days, the 'it's all too hard' days, the 'I feel like such a hypocrite' days. The days when we have a spiritual headache and just want to be left alone. 

Secondly - when these days come, we can do one of three things,

a) keep to ourselves, baring our teeth at anyone who dares to show us any kind of care or comfort;

b) muster up just enough energy and spirituality to do our ministry, quietly grumbling and groaning, just loud enough to be heard, thus garnishing just a little more 'martyr' status within the ranks of our fellow Christians; or,

c) we can admit that it's a tough day, that we cannot do it in our own strength, and we can kneel before the only one who can heal us, Jesus Christ. It is a step of faith, one that calls for us to believe that in spite of how we feel, the Holy Spirit is working in us, his beautiful soothing touch bringing us just enough strength to do what the Father has called us to do - just for that day.  And as we worship God, we can rest assured that He has heard our cries and will most assuredly forgive and heal and restore us from the inside out.

Dear friend, I wonder; how are you feeling today? 

He energizes those who get tired,
    gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind.  Isaiah 40:29-31, The Message

For Such a Time as This

I have always loved to read.  However the love of writing is relatively new to me.  My love of writing bloomed when I began a blog to detail our journey with our little boy Sam, who was yet to be born with Congenital Heart Disease.  I was one of those kids at school who used to freeze when asked to write a story.  My mind would go completely blank, and then I would try and recreate a story I had read somewhere else.  I loved to speak and I loved to read, so I guess it was only a matter of time before writing also emerged.  I have discovered, with some dismay, that I cannot write of my own accord. My first book Sam’s Heart entailed the journal I had kept, and other God inspired words that completed our story in its entirety.  I seem to have to live books before I can write them.    I have another book in my heart that must be written, and as I sat and tried to plan it out, I discovered that I quickly lost interest.  Although I have passion for the topic, tremendous passion, the approach I was taking was not for me.  I have discovered that God needs to give me the words.  I find myself writing on random bits of paper, the backs of envelopes, church newsletters, and dare I say, even cardboard box flaps; all because God gives inspiration at the most unpredictable times.

This is what makes writing fun for me.  Listening to God and then letting him guide the words on the page.  Many times I feel unqualified to write what I do, but I know that if God has changed my life through experiences with him, they are too valuable not to share.  I have a passion for encouraging the church and any other soul that will stop long enough to listen. 

When I was introduced to this wonderful world of writers, I was amazed to find such diversity, complexity and gifting.  I have found such encouragement and camaraderie among the Christian writing community.  I have learned useful skills and tips to improve my writing ability, and had my eyes opened to the challenging world of Christian publishing.  I have enjoyed reading new and inspiring writing, from the keyboards and pens of many newly discovered Aussie authors.  Such a rich tapestry is created, when all of these inspired authors come together.  I believe that each of us has been called for such a time as this.  I desire earnestly for our outstanding literature to be embraced by the wider Australian retail community, to create diversity of choice, and breathe life back into the souls of Australians.  I am not content to receive rejection after rejection, simply because our books speak about Jesus, some more openly than others.  The risk of offence to a third party is not a good argument.  Many of the top selling books in big name retailers offend me, and are just plain evil, but that does not stop shops selling them.  We need to pray for breakthrough into the so called secular markets, where our messages and stories can reach the ears of those who need to hear them.  There seems to have been some progress with the move from traditional bookshops to online retailers, but I am praying for bigger and better things for all of us.  Will you join me? 

Nicole Watson is a non-fiction author, with the aim of encouraging readers to live for God.  She is an Aussie Mum to two young boys.  She and her husband, are currently undergoing training to serve with Mission Aviation Fellowship.
Her passion is sharing God's amazing love with who ever will listen and ispiring others to share their own God stories.

Nicole blogs regularly here.
Her book Sam's Heart can be found here.
You can join Sam's Heart on Facebook here.