The Beauty of Words

by Anusha Atukorala

I was eleven years old when I first read “Anne of Green Gables”. It was a book like no other! I was hooked. Totally! So of course, in no time at all, I’d feasted on the entire series, smacking my reader’s lips over every morsel, relishing every word, hungry for more, a child who’d not had a decent meal for a week and couldn’t get enough soul-food in! My heart was filled to overflowing, with a story seeped in beauty and wonder and the love of life. Anne fans would understand, I know. Since then, as you might guess, I’ve read through the entire series countless times.

A few weeks ago, I was hunting for an audio book to enjoy. Usually, when doing boring chores around the house, it seems a good time to fill my soul with eternal treasures so I choose Christian books. I found the audio version of Anne of Green Gables on offer, so I decided to give it a go. How I revelled in it ... and surprisingly, I enjoyed even more than when I’d read the book from cover to cover. Rachel McAdams did a perfect job of reading it. 

The exquisiteness of L.M. Montgomery’s words filled me with joy, her themes revived me and the relationships she’d created blessed me. For days after I finished it, I continued to savour it. It is a story that contains beauty, humour, life, varying seasons, courage, forgiveness, love. And more. Beauty, truth and goodness.

 

So what is my takeaway as a reader? 

What is my takeaway as a writer?

Despite it not strictly being Christian fiction, the timeless truths of Jesus and His loving plans for His world, resonated in every page,  ‘Anne of Green Gables’ expressed eloquently that our lives are filled with of all kinds of everything. Seasons of growth and learning, quieter seasons when nothing grand occurs. There are seasons of joy but also seasons of pain. There was the sweetness of Anne winning the Avery scholarship and the delight it brought her and Matthew and Marilla. But very soon after, too soon in fact, her beloved Matthew died. I shed tears for them. Our writing lives too have many seasons, as you have no doubt discovered. Creativity one moment. A dead end the next!

I enjoyed 10 grand years being a writer on steroids, enjoying every moment, until my chronic illness got so bad, that I couldn’t do much –  on days I had time to write, my fatigue and pain didn’t give my brain any ability to function. That started 9 ½ years ago. This past year, I’ve responded to God’s call to get back in harness, so I pray He will give me more energetic days which I can put to good use, both in writing and in blessing His world. In fact, by faith, I’ve booked for the Omega Writer’s conference in October! And Yay! I am so excited!

I wonder what your own season is like, dear writer friend? I’d like to re-assure you that all of it matters – the thriving times, the sleepy times, the arid times, the hard times, the good times, the creative juice flowing times. All of it! In God’s economy, nothing is wasted. In my almost 10 years of doing less, God has been working in me … and I have collected plenty of research I can use in my next book or two. Or three. I’d love to encourage anyone who has been struggling. Better days are ahead. No matter what today looks like, our faithful God continues to walk beside you and work out His plans for you, even if they are different to your own.

As a reader, I learnt from Anne of Green Gables, that you can shout out what God is like through your story, without mentioning Him often. Lucy Maud Montgomery had a wonderful gift, not just in the delightful stories that she weaved in her head, but also, having at her fingertips, words that enthral and create enchanting pictures in our mind’s eyes. It was like cool water, that refreshed me. I laughed aloud, far more than I’d done when reading the book. I realised again, the beauty of words and ideas. The Word of God is alive today. And His divine life permeates each of us writers, so we can communicate His words to His world. 

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness." 2 Peter 1:3

 

Anne was transformed from a chattering, emotional, expressive little 11 year old to a thoughtful, caring, beautiful 16 year old by the time the book ended. Her own story was transformed when she learn to forgive Gilbert and a beautiful friendship she'd thwarted for far too long, was begun. Transformation. For us, believers, that’s surely what life is about, don’t you think? When Jesus transforms us from the inside out, the words we share and the books we write will be transformed as well. Which means that if God is keeping you on the backburner for a little while, it’s OK. He knows what He is doing.

I believe He is working all things together for good in your life and in mine, just as He promises, to all who love Him. And so dear friend, let’s use the words, ideas, stories that God’s given us, to build God’s kingdom, one day at a time. One sentence at a time. One prayer at a time. And may all that we write, be used by Jesus to glorify His Name, as we yield our pens to Him, the Author of each of our stories. 

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2^nd book ‘Dancing in the Rain’ brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, ‘Sharing the Journey’ is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey'.

                                             

'

Do drop in on her two websites to say G’day! She’d love to connect with you.

Dancing in the Rain 

Light in the Darkness 

 

 

 

The One who makes the Difference!

 by Anusha Atukorala

I was enjoying an evening walk. Birds twittered as they flew home to their nests. A soft breeze stirred, chasing my cares away, like a toddler scattering a flock of pigeons as he runs towards them in glee. Trees danced to the tune of the breeze, waving their green branches with abandon. I looked up. There in the twilight skies wafted a large cloud, dressed in pretty Pink and announcing itself to the world. It pointed to its Creator and transformed my evening into a magical one. A few soft white clouds raced along to join their colour-splashed friend, but they weren’t a patch on that Perfect Pink Preamble!

 

I soon realised that this striking cloud made a difference. Wherever I went, the evening began to sparkle–all because of that Pretty Pink Parade. The horizon was laced with it. Gum trees grew tall in its presence. Our world was ablaze with colour because of its smiles. It was a reminder then, that just like this PPP, there is a Divine PPP who can turn an ordinary day into a special one and transform an unyielding moment into a joyful one. And of course, as a Christian writer, all that I create does need a PPP so that my writing bears fruit.

 

I’m not talking of a Perfect Pink Panorama this time.

What I point to instead is A Powerful Precious Presence.

 

God! Our Almighty God … the Author of our stories.

Jesus, the Creator of everything, past, present and future.

The Holy Spirit who writes our stories with us.

 

Yes, it’s He who does it all. He who directs. He who knows what He plans to do with our writing. It is He who reaches the world through our words. All that we write turns salty only when the Salt-Shaker is present. Words we write can reach hearts, only when the Heart-Warmer is at work. Words in books are brought to life in readers through the Author of Life!

 

There are seasons and seasons in a writer’s life, aren’t there? Some seasons are rich and fulfilling. Others are humdrum. Some are downright discouraging. I remember how hard it was to keep going when I was hunting for a publisher for my second book. I had rejections galore, and hope slipped away, pearls on a broken necklace falling, leaving an empty string in my hand. God showed me through that experience that perseverance is part of a writer’s package. Nothing always comes easy. It also meant that when the miracle happened and I did find a publisher, I knew it was not through my own cleverness or expertise or good fortune that I found one but that our Heavenly PPP - that Precious Powerful Presence was at work again.

I believe God allows dry times, hard times, unfruitful times to meander into our writing lives because it’s one way of letting us know who our Boss is. How’s your writing life these days? If it is productive, I’d like to shake your hand. Good job, friend! Well done! If it could be better, I still say Well done! I know you will make it. Keep it up, dear Writer! But if it is downright discouraging, I’d love to remind you of that PPP. That Perfect Pink Panorama. Or rather that Precious Powerful Presence! Don’t forget that He goes before You. He will do all He promised. It is all His work. Dry times are seasons when He is preparing the ground (and us) for more fruitfulness.

 

A couple of years ago, I was surprised when I heard from an unknown man whom I will call Paul. Paul wrote that he noticed I wasn’t blogging any more. He encouraged me to keep stirring up the gift that God had given me, letting me know my writing had impacted his life. I was so encouraged. Paul didn’t know it – but I had been blogging – using a new website, so I sent him the link. Recently, Paul wrote again, asking to buy all three of my books. Think Happy Surprise on this little writers’ face. Think eyebrows raised. Think happy dance! It was astonishing that an unknown man wanted to buy my books. While I’d hoped that both men and woman would enjoy my writing, I wasn’t sure if men would. But here was proof that at least one man did! Hooray!

 

And then … I realise afresh that unless God speaks, my words are just squiggles on paper. Unless God chooses to use them, nothing I write would make any impact. It is He alone who can use a weak little vessel in order to communicate His truth to His world. It is not what I write that is as important as the leading of the Holy Spirit when I do. It is not my writing that reaches hearts but it is God who speaks through my words to touch and bless and build.

 

You and I are a paintbrush in the Hands of the Master Painter. An instrument in His Symphony Orchestra. Isn’t it a great gift that He calls us to be co-creators with Him? When we allow Him to lead us and use us, our writing will have eternal consequences. So let’s keep writing. It is His purpose that matters. His Voice that reaches hearts, that Precious, Powerful, Peace-filled, Perfect, Personable, Patient, Picturesque Presence who Permeates His world. 

He alone makes all the difference.

 

Let’s look to Him.

Let’s write with Him.

Let’s worship Him.

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2^nd book Dancing in the Rain brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, Sharing the Journey is a sequel to Enjoying the Journey.

 

Do stop by at her two websites to say G’day and to read her blogs.

Dancing in the Rain 

Light in theDarkness