Gracenotes~~Called to Write

Answering the Call to Write

God Answered, “Write”

By Angela Posey-Arnold

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.( 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV)

The doctor explained the effects of the horrible wreck. All I heard was, “You won’t be able to go back to practice nursing, ever.” I don’t even remember the ride home from the doctor’s office, his words swirling around in my head. ‘No nursing? It is all I know. What will I do? They are holding my job for me, how will I tell them? Oh God, what am I going to do?’

Still recovering from the wreck and now with this news my family settled me in for the evening doing the best they could with me. I didn’t feel anything but pain, physical, emotional and spiritual pain. I was numb, scared and confused about the future. I felt hopeless. Mother kept reminding me of her favorite Scripture. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)The words seemed to be for someone else, bouncing off me.

I worked hard to become an RN, BSN, four years of college and twenty years in the practice working my way up to Director of Nursing making more money than I had ever made. All my plans to get a Masters in Nursing, to be a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, my future, gone, and announced to me so flippantly.

The next morning I woke up and really saw no need to get out of bed but I did it anyway. Using the walker I made my way to the recliner where I spent most days wondering if I would recover. This day was different. I wasn’t thankful, I was angry. ‘Is this what You saved me for, to do nothing? Nursing is all I know, what am I supposed to do now, sit here and rot away? Why? Why God? You sent angels to protect me from the truck that hit me, why? This hurts too much and I don’t understand. What am I supposed to do now?’

For the next two days I mourned the loss of my career. I cried, I yelled at my family, screamed and hung up on my lawyer, I yelled at God, I yelled at the trees. I called my Pastor and spilled it all hoping he would pray for me because I sure couldn’t pray for myself. I couldn’t talk to my friends without crying and I didn’t want to yell at them so I stopped talking to them at all. I wrote scathing lamentations in my journal and finally on the third day I was exhausted. No more tears, nothing else to say, no more screaming.

Going through a pile of books I found a book Mother gave me while in the hospital. A small book, “The Prayer of Jabez”, practically jumped into my hands. In two hours I read the entire book twice. I prayed the prayer and put it on my screen saver to scroll continuously across the screen. Every time I looked at the computer beside me I prayed the prayer of Jabez mostly because I couldn’t pray anything else.

Checking my e-mail one day I read one a friend sent. It included a link to a site for people like me, hurt, traumatized, wounded and in need of rest. I reluctantly went to the site. Actually finding rest there I returned every day and continued to write in my journal. Writing seemed to be the only thing I could do. And I had an overwhelming need to do so.

I stumbled on a free writing course advertised on the web site. Sitting at the computer staring at the application I heard God’s voice in my heart, “Write for Me, I have been preparing you for this all your life, write and I will open the doors”.

“Huh? Write? For You? Are You sure you want me….. Never mind. I heard You. Okay, Lord I will. Teach me, give me the Words and I will write for You.”

That day I wrote the story of the wreck and how God sent His angels to come between me and the huge truck which hit me. A message from Him that we do not have to be afraid, heaven is closer than we think. I submitted the story to “Guidepost Angels on Earth”. They published it.

God answered my prayer as He answered Jabez’s prayer. He began to open doors and windows for me to learn to write, each one obvious to His purposes. He forgave me for being so angry and yelling at Him, He just understood. Through high school journalism, college, and twenty years of nursing documentation I see how He prepared me to be a writer for Him. He so lovingly placed other Christian writers in my life who have mentored and helped me to learn. Some of my dearest friends are members of Sonrise Writers Group. We have a bond like no other.

I have written two books with another in progress, countless short stories and articles published all by His grace and the help of His Holy Spirit.

Be careful when you pray the prayer of Jabez; be sure you are ready to enlarge your territories. He will answer not so much because the prayer is special but because you prayed.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for touching me with Your grace, love and mercy. I praise You Lord for allowing me to write for You. Life is full of new beginnings give me an open heart to share with others so they too can find their new beginnings in You. Bless each Christian writer as they share Your love with countless ages. In Jesus Holy precious Name, Amen.