Redefining Me

Yesterday, my husband and I met with a loan officer (Ken) to talk about refinancing our home. Interest rates are a full point less than we're paying right now, so it's the perfect time to do it. Hey, saving $100 a month sounds good to us, especially when that money could go towards our daughter's braces that she'll be getting this summer.

So we're sitting in the bank answering the typical questions for the zillions of forms required. At one point, we realized my income wasn't needed in order for us to qualify. Ken said, "So instead of listing your occupation" (self-employed writer), "I'll just list you as a 'homemaker.' Is that ok?"

Wanna know what I said in response? Do you? Wait for it...

I replied, "Well, I don't like the sound of that, but whatever." (insert chuckle)

On the way home, I thought about what I'd said and this time I didn't laugh. When in the world did I start thinking that "homemaker" was a dirty word? A word to be embarrassed by or even ashamed of?

Hey, I'm all for women working and pursuing careers. I personally think that "writer" is one of the things that defines who I am. But yesterday caused me to take a look at my heart and discover that a part of me believed that being a "writer" defined me more than being a "homemaker."

Housewife...homemaker...stay-at-home mom...it's sad that society has determined that this role is unimportant, unworthy, certainly nothing to brag about.

And how much sadder that I'd adapted that mentality.

I'm thinking that my husband and kids would rather define me as a great wife and mother than a writer any day. And even though I believe part of my purpose on this earth is to use the talents God's given me, I think my most vital purpose - the one that will have the most eternal impact - is making a home for my family.

Bang a couple of pots and pans if you agree.

The Creator's Heart

So our church is doing a year-long study called, The Story. The Story is basically reading the Bible as one seamless story from beginning to end. We're doing it on Wednesday nights and it involves the whole church family. The kids are learning the same thing as the adults are, only tailored to their age. It's very cool! And I'm loving it already. Here is the official website if you'd care to check it out (please do!). You are able to watch the church service, listen to the message, or even listen to that week's book chapter being read to you, complete with a background musical score. From what I understand, Max Lucado's church is already halfway into The Story and it's being received extremely well. If you haven't heard of it before this very moment, let me say I am honored to introduce it to you. You'll likely be hearing more about it from other sources in the months to come.

Anyway, this blog post is not exactly a plug for The Story. I just want to offer my thoughts on the main topic that the first week's message of The Story teaches: CREATION.

Isn't it cool that the first way the Bible introduces God to us is as The Creator? Creating is what He does. Creating is a natural part - a BIG part - of who God is. But while most things are created WITH something (clay, wood, ingredients, legos, whatever), God has the ability to create out of nothing.

He spoke...it was. Period.

So have you ever considered how privileged we are as writers to connect with God more intimately as a creator? I mean, God used a blank canvas. We use a blank sheet of paper (or computer screen). He spoke...we type. We don't need materials or ingredients or components. All we need is our minds, our imaginations, our hearts.

Not everyone has that creator's heart. Most people could care less about making something from nothing. They don't get excited over seeing something come alive on the page. There is no inner desire to create. And because they don't share that passion, that heart, those people may never connect with God as a creator.

But we do! Every time we sit down to write, we connect with God as a creator. While of course God's thoughts and ways are well above our puny little minds, we can grasp just a sliver of what He felt like when He saw His work come to life. The majestic colors streaking through the sky. The stars twinkling for the first time against the darkness. The trees springing from the ground. Flower petals opening. Deer pracing across the meadow. Fish gliding through the water. And then, finally, man and woman...intricately designed, perfectly formed. Wonderfully made.

God saw that it was VERY good.

That's how I feel when I create, don't you? When scenes come together and characters come to life, when dialogue flows smoothly and plotlines are formed. When the words pour onto the computer screen, one at a time, until eventually the create a story. Could there be anything more rewarding?

Okay, so we're not God. Unlike The Creator, we need to go back and revise. Edit. Improve. It takes us a little more work to craft something very good. But the desire...the love...the need to create...it's there, isn't it?

What an awesome thing - a privilege - to connect with God in this way. I am so thankful that He has given me a creator's heart. Aren't you?