Writers Reaching Others
Sally Matheny
Bring Them to Me
by Sally Matheny
“They do not need to go away,” he said. “You give them something to eat.”
Furrowed brows and questioning looks darted between the men. Fumbling around they rounded up five loaves of bread and two fish. They knew it was not enough but it was the best they could do. Some shook their heads, discouraged by the meager offering.
“Bring them here to me,” the Master said.
They took what they had and gave it to him. Hearts pounded, some with fear, others with eager anticipation.
Not one was disappointed. Their Lord blessed the small submission and worked wonders with it. What some thought would barely feed one family; Jesus used it to feed thousands.
As writers, we wonder how our writing will ever reach the eyes of anyone outside our own homes. We work hard writing and editing until it’s the best we have to offer and yet it still seems so inadequate.
Fear sets in. Will it be good enough? How will my little stories reach the hearts of many? We become overwhelmed and discouraged until we hear those words.
“Bring them to me.”
Clinging to our stories we say, “No, Lord. They’re not worthy. It’s impossible.” Or will we take our work and place it at His feet? We have to do our part and offer our very best, but then we must trust the Lord to do what He wills with it and in His timing.
Bill Reeves, co-founder of Working Title Agency, works with Alex and Stephen Kendrick (producers of Fireproof and Courageous). Asked what he would say to writers who doubt their work will ever have as powerful an impact, Bill answered,
Bill Reeves
Working Title Agency
“I would say that God is still in the loaves and fishes business. Sherwood is a church in Southwest Georgia. Churches in Southwest Georgia are not supposed to be making top ranked Hollywood films. That’s not supposed to happen. But it does, because God is bigger than the plans Hollywood lays out. And Working Title Agency was started by a guy from a small town in Central Florida, not a media mogul that grew up in the NYC publishing elite. Yet Working Title’s first book was “The Love Dare”, a New York Times #1 best-selling book. That’s not supposed to happen. But God had other plans. And the most important thing is being content with God’s plans for your life…whether big or small by the world’s definition.”
Pray through every step of your work, seeking guidance and wisdom. Even after your best efforts, it will never be a perfect offering. Then submit it to Jesus.
We may realize more work is needed. Perhaps its purpose is to minister to only a few or just for one. And maybe, just maybe, the Lord will see fit to use it to satisfy thousands.
*Special Note: Bill Reeves, of Working Title Agency, will be a returning workshop presenter at the Write2Ignite conference in March 2013.
Sally Matheny’s passion in life is to encourage others through her written and spoken words. She is a contributing writer for the international children’s devotional magazine: Keys for Kids. Her work is also found at DevoKids; Christian Devotions; and other publications.
A former public school teacher, she is now in her thirteenth year of homeschooling. Happily married to her pastor-husband, they live in the N.C. foothills with their three children.
Sally is a member of SCBWI, ACW and on the planning team for Write2Ignite. Stop by and visit her at www.sallymatheny.blogspot.com.
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What a blessing to hear how God is encouraging you all. He has a purpose for your work so keep learning and keep writing.
I hope to see you all in March at the W2I conference.
(Samuel- you write such wonderful songs–I bet there’s a good story writer in you as well!)
Blessings to you all.
Amen to that, Samuel. Thanks so much for leaving a comment.
I hope we’ll see you next year at the Conference.
Jean, Sally & the Team
This is super encouraging. And absolutely 100% true that God does great things with little things. God loves using the little people to do the big things. Thanks so much for letting me know about this. It encouraged me so much. Thank you!
Best wishes, Vijaya, on your novel. It is soooo much work, isn’t it?
Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment.
Jean, Sally & the Team
I’m getting ready to make my first novel sub, so this post was very timely. Thank you.
Dear Kimi and Kristi,
Thank you for taking the time to drop in and leave a comment.
YOU are an encouragement to us.
Jean, Sally & the Team
Fabulous post, Sally! What an encouragement!! It was timely for me. Thank you!
I love this post. It offers so much hope while I sit here and write, sometimes wondering, “What difference does this make?” You’ve assured me it makes a difference and I don’t have to figure it all out. Thanks.
Happy to hear Bill Reeves is returning. He was a great addition to this year’s conference.
Dear Joyce,
We are thrilled to be an encouragement to you. Thank you for leaving your comment. We hope to see you here again soon.
Jean & Sally & the Team
Thank you soooo much! I word in due season! I was feeling a little inadequate about my work, but when I read your article, it renewed my vision! Thank you again!
Truly blessed by your words! And the words of Jesus!
Joyce A. Evans
Thank you, Keiki and Janice!
You are a real encouragement to us, too.
Blessings,
Jean & the Team
Thanks for this. I am glad God is still in the loaves and fishes business too.
This is the kind of encouragement I need. Thanks!
Dear Nathan, Kristi, Linda, Karen and Cindy,
Thank you all for taking the time to read Sally’s post and leave a comment. I am sure you are very busy (aren’t we all?) and it means a lot to us at W2I! to hear from you.
We pray God’s blessings on you as you write and serve.
Jean, Sally and the W2I! Team
This is so very true! We need to do our best–to strive for excellence–but it’s all in God’s hands after that. His timing is rarely OUR timing, but when He moves, He can move fast! Thanks for a post that put things back into perspective for me!
Thank you for this great reminder of God’s awesomeness and the greatness of His plans over the world’s. It’s encouraging for me to remember that Jesus still multiplies our efforts much more than we can imagine when we bring them to Him for His use.
Thanks, Sally! This was particularly encouraging and a good reminder to all of us.
Great article. Perfect.
Thank you for this timely encouragement!