My writing journey stems back to my childhood years in primary school. I really enjoyed English lessons, which actually favored me in my exams. My teachers were equally intrigued by my compositions and articles.
I remember making various submissions to the Nation Newspaper, for their Young Nation magazine. Even though I never got to see my submissions published, it was always a joy to use any opportunity to make good use of my hobby.
As I transitioned to high school, the zeal never faded. I started by trying novels, but the ideas were quite haphazard and could not complete, until when we were introduced to poetry. It seemed interesting, not only as a lesson, but also for my own practice. My friends loved my poems, and they would occasionally ask me to compose pieces for them to send to their boyfriends, which I gladly did. At one instance, I composed a chemistry poem, to help us as candidates, cram the dreaded Mole Concept topic , and hang it on our class notice board. The teacher was impressed.
I however did not myself good enough, even after the recognition from my peers and teachers; all the same, I still held on the hope that one day I’ll publish a book.
I transitioned to University, to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce, which is unrelated to my undying love for writing, but I still wrote poems. In 2009, towards the end of my first year at the University, during a Holy Communion Service, I gave my life to Christ. My new chapter of life also changed the way I thought about my work as a writer. I began hearing the Voice of God speaking to me. Well, I did not have to be ‘old’ in faith to recognize it was God speaking to me.
His voice was soft and crystal clear, “I want you to write for me.”
That’s when my pen automatically took a new turn. I would say, God’s words also came with what it took to be ‘His’ writer, because I no longer had the zeal to write of anything but for God, since I heard His voice.
I made a collection of poems, which I still hold so dear, and still held on hope of publishing them. Majority of them were adoration poems, prayers and a solace place where I emptied my thoughts especially on sad occasions.
I can also say that my greatest weakness is procrastination, which i am trying to overcome. For about ten years in a row, one of my new year’s resolution had been, ‘ to publish a book before close of the year.’ Well, that never happened.
I transitioned to career and family life, still with the desire to fulfill my promise to write for God. I continually shared poems and articles on my Facebook wall and a blog that I created, even though it was not consistent. In this process, God was aligning me to the direction He desired me to take with my writing.
In 2016, on my 25th birthday, I had another encounter with God. By, this time, I had a difficult time with my pregnancy with my second born. I had terrible experiences with nausea, and could not retain any food or drink. The doctors decided to manage the situation and had to admit me. As the nurses were facilitating the process, I slowly felt life being taken away from me. I was sacred. This time, I made a deep prayer to God, “Lord if you don’t desire that I have this baby, I have made peace with that, please take it away, if it is your will, but for the sake of the child I can see, whom I’ve left at home and my husband, please spare my life, and I’ll give you a book in return.”
I soon fell in deep sleep. As I awoke, still on the hospital bed, I felt so peaceful and was glad that God answered my prayer. It was my turn now to fulfill my promise to Him.
God began creating a new desire to write for family and children. I could hear His voice every now and then, especially when I was taking care of my kids. He would use them to share a message that He wanted me to write. The difficult pregnancy led me to write a book, which is not yet published, which I consider my greatest gift that I’ll give God.
Writing, like you will all agree, is a journey. I have been molded through experiences and have learnt to always write what comes from God.
As I thought about how to bring forth the gift I promised God, He gave me another idea, through another encounter with His Voice, while attending a church service.
This was mid last year. I was being led to write a devotional journal. I thought about the Lent season. That’s how My S.T.O.P Lent Season Journal was born.
I thought about how Christians can inculcate discipline by reading the word of God, praying for other people and themselves as well as journaling about what they are grateful to God for.
The journey birthing the journal has been the most fulfilling thing in my life.
As I was signing out the book to my readers, my prayer had been that they experience God in their lives. While at it, God used the book to speak to me and I have truly experienced Him.
In this journey, as I conclude, I’ve learnt to Listen to God more and to wait for His right time, since that is when He makes it all beautiful.
I used to be bothered by taking a long time to publish my work, but realized God’s timing was this year.
It has been a humbling experience, learning from other people and this group and I’m eternally grateful for this platform by CLC.
