Friday, January 15, 2010

Struggling to Stand in Grace-Learning from Anne Rice

My heart overflows with a good theme;
I address my verses to the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
You are fairer than the sons of men;
Grace is poured upon Your lips;
Therefore God has blessed You forever.
Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One,
In Your splendor and Your majesty!
~Psalm 45:1-3~
I wrote in my January 11th Take Root and Write column, Choosing Life Everyday, about my New Year's resolution to reach for graciousness in every aspect of my life. Choose to Be Gracious Every Day discusses the definitions of graciousness. My particular struggle at this point is on using tact and delicacy...not so much in my speech and my actions, but in my endeavors to write.

As I work to become a novelist, the tug to write for popular acceptance is huge. It is human to want others find value in our creations. In the world of romance writing (into which fall any story that includes boy-meets-girl, etc), the most widely read books have elements that do not have any relation to tact or delicacy.

While I have no problem letting people know that I love the Lord, I am not one to use in-your-face witnessing. I try to develop personal relationships with others so that they can see that I am not just checking off a box on my religious obligations list, but that I truly care for them and their lives. In this I follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. His evangelism was one-on-one, meeting each where he or she was...not directing them to 'turn or burn.'

My friend, author Winter A. Peck, posted on Facebook a video interview with prolific novelist Anne Rice, best known for her book series The Vampire Chronicles. This video testimony has reminded me that regardless of the direction of my writing, it will reflect upon the Lord. My decision is to decide: "Just what reflection do I want my work to cast?"

Please watch this CBN TV interview. Share with me your thoughts and encouragement.