Write2Ignite

As I write this, it’s raining. At least my lawn and flowerbeds are happy. Is it raining where you are? I don’t mean the weather. Is it raining on your writing?

Are you familiar with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “The Rainy Day”?

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the moldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the moldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast
And the days are dark and dreary.

“Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.”

Is your world bright with contracts and new releases? Enjoy the sun-filled hours, knowing the days will not always be this way.

Is your world dark and dreary? Did you just receive a one-star review? Are you experiencing a dearth of contracts? Maybe you’re engaged in hand-to-hand combat to just wrestle words onto your computer screen. Don’t be surprised. It happens. But don’t give up, either.

You’ve been called to write. The Lord who called you has not ceased His lordship over your life or your writing. The health issues, financial problems, and losses of loved ones are not bigger than El Elyon, The Most High God. The writer’s block, computer glitches, and distractions are not too small to be noticed by El Roi, The God Who Sees you. And all of it—large or small—is under the control of El Shaddai, the Almighty, All-Sufficient One.

Look again at the last stanza of Longfellow’s poem:

“Behind the clouds is the sun still shining.”

Rain is good for the soil, for the grass, for the flowers. Rain is good for us, too. If nothing else, it reminds us we can’t do this alone. We are not just called by God, we are dependent on Him. “Some days must be dark and dreary” to chase us to the Light of the world and motivate us to abide in the Son.

How do you respond to “rainy” writing days?

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Ava Pennington is a writer, Bible teacher, and speaker. Her newest book, Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional, is endorsed by Precepts founder Kay Arthur. Additionally, Ava is co-author of Faith Basics for Kids. The first two books in the series are Do You Love Me More? and Will I See You Today? She has also written numerous articles for magazines such as Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse, Today’s Christian Woman, Power for Living, and Called.

In addition to her writing, Ava also teaches a weekly, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class. She is a passionate speaker and teacher, and delights in challenging audiences with the truth of God’s word in relevant, enjoyable presentations. For more information, visit her at www.AvaWrites.com.