First Baptist Church of Herndon

Be Inspired

Linda Soller | Nov 18, 2013

We gathered for a writer’s retreat on Veteran’s Day. The Chapter Four writing group at FBC decided earlier in the fall that we needed to have a day to really concentrate on our writing. Most of us are not professional at this whole writing thing, but we share a love for writing that makes the group very supportive. The challenge is keeping us focused. You see, we happen to be a very social group as well. If it weren’t for our group founder, Ellen, we might not get any writing completed. I marveled at the environment she had created for our retreat. Each member had a workstation, with a colorful desk blotter, our name at the station with a supportive message on one side, and a Bible verse on the other. I must say I was impressed and it accomplished what I think it was intended to accomplish – I was ready to write.

You know me, I sometimes make unusual thought connections. I have been told there is no medicine to cure it. My connection that day was to consider inspiration. By inspiration I mean the kind that makes you take up an interest, or pursue an interest, or continue a life long interest that could have easily fallen by the way side. I have an old friend, who is now a Facebook friend, and based on his postings I can see he is still very involved with his music. I knew him as a young person and for many years only heard about him through my parents. It is nice now to have regular opportunities to find out what he is up to, and hear about his family. It is inspiring to know that he still pursues the music he always loved.

Our retreat was inspiring because there we sat all of us writing. No talking, everyone focused, and working on their own writing objectives. We recently published a short book of writings and it has been a big hit at our Church. You would think it was the novel of the century the way we smile when people ask us to autograph their copy. That book is inspirational to us.  It makes us feel we can achieve our writing goals. It makes us want to write more and want to better writers.

Inspiration comes from many places and sometimes when you least expect it. A mother loses a child due to a drunk driver and founds MADD. Our faith inspires us to care for others, to do what is right, to make the world a better place. We may never know the results of our works and yet we are often able to pin down what inspired our work. We may never know the inspiration we provide for others, but if we consider all those who inspired us along the way, how can we not reach out? Inspiration may be a simple word of encouragement, or the sharing of a story. When we feel inspired our accomplishments are their own reward; even if they’re not noticed by others. The first time I painted a room in my house without help I felt inspired to continue to push my limits. Even now when I enter that room I feel good. As you might suspect it has never appeared in any magazine, but I know what it took to get it to its current state.

We are, you are, and God is inspirational. So from our Chapter Four group I offer you the verse from our retreat. “We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” 1 John 1:4

Be inspired, and have a great week. :o)                  

Linda