why do you write?

I’m asked the question again. It’s just a simple question wondering why I dedicate a portion of each day to sit in front of the screen and type letters into words and words into sentences and sentences into a story. When I’m asked, it seems to take me a back for a bit, makes me question myself, and eventually pushes me into wonder.

Why do I write?

Initially, I could find all sorts of reasons convincing me that, perhaps, writing isn’t a good thing. There’s the time, or being too vulnerable, or is it wise? Then those very reasons that make me doubt actually propel me to continue to write. When I sit in front of the keys and share my heart — whether funny or serious or in pictures or raw or simply conversational — it helps me understand my own heart.

I see where I’ve fallen and it motivates me to get up again.
I see that in sorrow and hard times that there is still good.
I see how laughter is a balm for a soul.
I see friendships formed.

You see, writing for me, has become this journey in life where I feel that, at this time, I am to share. Just a bit about me, and my heart, and my family, and our struggles and our hopes. Not for fame or glory of self. But, really, the bottom line is that in all I do I hope to to reflect our Father.

So I write about Celiac Disease and cancer and hard times and still praise. And I write about homeschooling, mothering, being a wife, and a friend and seeking joy. I write about childhood and the beautiful lessons that I’ve learned from just watching my children.

Life can be a very lonely place. There are ups and downs and bends and turns and good days and hard days. This little blog? It’s a journey. My journey of trying to keep perspective in all things — a journey of truly seeking and finding joy in the most mundane moments in life, in the beautiful moments, and in those places where one’s heart is breaking.

Writing helps me think. It helps me process life.

And, today, I simply must thank each of you for walking along this writing journey with me. For your kind comments, encouraging words, and support. I really am grateful and honored that you’ve chosen, for this season, to read the words that I type late at night or early in the morning while the world around me still sleeps.

In all I do and all I say I hope that you see in my heart that I love the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord — in the good days, the bad days, the every days, the motherhood-filled days, the sick days, the joyful days, the learning days, the sad days, the laughter-filled days, the trying days, the anxiety days, the calm days, the vacation days, the rest days, the disappointing days, the tiring days, the hopeful days, the throw-in-the-towel days, the normal days — in the every single day, blessed be His name.

And that is why I write.