I’ve wrestled with doubt about my writing—wondering if my words are too small to make an impact. Then, I came across a quote that changed my perspective. I found a quote in Madeline L’Engle’s book, Reflections of a Writing Life, that spoke deeply to me, to my reservations, my doubts, and what I believe to be my calling. The names in her original quote were from another time and another author, so I’ve edited and rewritten the quote, changing the voices to those that shape Christian writing today.
“Listen to me. All of writing is a huge lake. Great rivers feed the lake, like [John Piper, Lysa Terkheurst, and Francine Rivers. Other powerful streams flow from Timothy Keller, Priscilla Shirer, Sarah Young, Beth Moore, and Ann Voskamp.] And there are mere trickles, like [Julie Kay Harbour]. All that matters is feeding the lake. I don’t matter. The lake matters.”
L’Engle shares her opinion about being a mere trickle by saying, “My little trickle adds hardly a drop of water to the lake, and yet it doesn’t matter; there is no trickle too small.” She understood that to feed the lake is to be a servant. I’m not sure I’d categorize Madeline L’Engle as a mere trickle, but her statement resonated deeply with me.
Do I see myself as a writer? Not really. And yet, I continue to write.
Why?
I write because I want to help - to offer hope and understanding to others walking similar paths to what I have walked. I write because I am an educator at heart, sharing the lessons life has taught me. I write because God has placed this calling on my heart, and through obedience, I find purpose.
Writing, for me, is an act of service. I hope to serve those who are weary with worry and anxiety, offering them rest in God’s promises. I hope to serve those seeking deeper ways to meditate on Scripture, making His word come alive in their hearts. Whether someone is taking their first steps in faith or has followed Christ since childhood, I desire to meet them where they are.
Perhaps my words are just a trickle in this vast lake of Christian literature, but I trust that God can use even the smallest stream to refresh a thirsty soul. After all, it's not about the size of the contribution - it's about faithfully pouring out what He has poured into me.