Rut Writing

"Rut Writing" sounds like something Scooby Doo would say... (which I actually watched on Cartoon Network the other day because they were at Loch Ness! hahaha)


I'm calling this rut writing, because I have been in a rut, not merely prosaically but also spiritually. Go figure, right? So that's what's wrong with Laura! LOL. Inevitably when faced with the question of what I think I ought to be doing, the answer comes back resoundingly - WRITE. I need to be writing a book. I get ideas for books, for titles, for passages, and yet to put pen to paper, or rather fingers to keys, is a bit like 'pulling teeth,' as my mother would say. This has happened to me since I was young when I realized that I enjoyed writing - I start to write a story or a book and get to the end of the first page, and well, that's the end.


SO in an attempt to find the book inside ( <-- cheesy, huh? :), I am going to write myself out of a rut, or blog myself out of a rut. I am going to try to do this thing at least weekly to get the thoughts flowing and maybe eventually have something that could be somewhat considered a book.
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"The humblest praise most, while cranks & malcontents praise least. Praise almost seems to be inner health made audible." C.S. Lewis


C. S. Lewis was a genius. His thoughts never cease to amaze me because they are usually things that I've noticed but never paused on long enough to consider or to put into words. The above statement is no exception. 


I am a firm believer in the physical reflecting the inner. Case in point would be a messy and cluttered house being the reflection of a cluttered mind. Of course this is something my mom always taught me... Laura, your room is a reflection of what's going on in your mind. Sadly, many Christians live in a world of disorder, and yet our God is a god of order. 


To return to the quote at hand, I believe it is pretty safe to say that those who are 'cranks' (what a great word lol) and 'malcontents' are those who have not found satisfaction in their daily lives because their daily lives are run by themselves. *one finger pointed at you and three pointing back at myself. Humility is the ability to say, "Lord, I have no clue what I'm doing. I'm nothing in myself. I need you so much today that if you don't step in I will fall flat on my face." When you humble yourself to such a degree, the victory that blossoms from the day, becomes a rose of praise that you offer back to the Lord. 


My first thought on this though was not praise towards the Lord, but instead praise to others. Yes, we must humble ourselves before God and give him thanks for all He is and does, but also out of this will flow praise for others. It is the ability to recognize in other people God-given talents and abilities and to lift them up in appreciation when they set their hands to work. An ego-maniac (otherwise translated, a person who keeps their lives to themselves instead of surrendering to God) has no ability to appreciate/build-up/congratulate another person for a job well-done but rather will either tear someone down or build themselves up. 


When we find ourselves in jealousy and discouragement at the success of others, have we truly humbled ourselves before God? When we find ourselves unable to praise God, have we truly reflected on what He has done for us and in us? 


Need to do a spiritual 'house-cleaning'? Start with a little reflection on his goodness, mercy, and grace... a little praise does the body (and the mind) good!!