Heritage!
Today as I sit at my desk I’m reflecting on the 40+ years I’ve enjoyed as a professional writer. My writing ability is a gift from God and I treasure it and thank him for it.
I’m also indebted to these folks on the left, among them George Bernard Shaw, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Edna O’Brien, Samuel Beckett and other Irish writers who have gone before me.
It was such a pleasure and joy to visit the Dublin Writers Museum when my husband and I were there in person in 2012.
Dublin Writers Museum
Have you thought about your heritage, your special talent? Who are some of the people who influenced you or pointed you in the direction you took in life?
My maternal grandfather (from Ireland) and my fourth grade teacher were two of the ‘influencers’ in my life when it came to writing. And the words of Jeremiah, as well:
“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.'” (Jeremiah 30:2).
Congratulations on 40 years of writing Karen!
(Thanks for staying faithful to your talent.)
I have been blessed by the number of people who have encouraged me to pursue my writing path and have taken the time to teach me about the craft.
Karen, you are one of the flowers in that bouquet who has influenced me the most.
May God continue to bless and use you to touch others hearts.
Forever Grateful!
Smiles, BRC
Thank you, Beth. You’ve been one of my faithful and favorite students. Carry on. You have what it takes to be a successful and ongoing published writer.
Oh, Karen, I love that verse in Jeremiah! Thank you!
You have also been one of my encouragers as you’ve helped me develop my writing skills. I cherish your input and, even more, your friendship. You have been faithful with the gift God gave you – congratulations on 40 years of writing and ministering through the written word.
My mother has also always encouraged me to write. Special!
Blessings!
Thank you, Carol. I applaud you for picking up your pen (or your laptop) when you did and for starting your own blog, writing articles, and now working on a novel. I am happy to be counted as one of your encouragers and more important, one of your friends.
Karen, I feel that our writing talent was selected before, we were born. I know we can be taught to write in schools, but I believe the real God-given talent is chosen by God- for this honor, I am forever grateful to God-as you certainly are too! God Bless in everything you do. Love, Mary
Thank you, Mary. I’m with you. Our talent is God-given and we owe the Lord all the glory and gratitude for what we’ve produced.
God gave all of his body parts gifts. I believe that we learn from our mentors and Christian teachers. They are part of the body as well with their own gifts, the gift of teaching. However, where would the body be without the head. None of the body parts can claim glory, for that belongs to the head of the body. The head gets all the credit and glory. I feel so honored that the Lord gifted me to write and mandated me to do so. Congratulations on 40 years of authorship Karen. Thank you Lord for giving Karen to me as a mentor and teacher. Continue to bless her Lord in her writing and personal life. In Jesus name, amen.
Thank you for your kind prayer, Jim. You’ve been a blessing in my life as both writing student and friend.
Thank you, Karen, for another ‘gem’! You have had great influence and you were wise enough to “listen” and follow the gift of inheritance!! I feel the greatest gift I have received is being the child of two wonderful parents who lived a christian life before me and set the example by their actions and not just ‘words’. Dad showed me so much love that a few times when I was tempted to do something that I questioned I chose to NOT do anything that I thought would disappoint my earthly Dad! That is NOT to say I never did or said anything that I shouldn’t but I felt Dad’s guidance as well as God’s all the way. I know I have been blessed and thank God for it. Dad also taught me the importance of writing in a “Diary” or in my case a Journal.
Thank you for reminding me to express my gratitude to those who influenced me!
Love, Margaret
What a beautiful testimony to your dear father, Margaret. I’m blessed to read your experience and to hear of his influence, as well as your mother’s.