What inspires you? When you’re looking for inspiration for your craft, where do you turn? I often try to make sure that things are quiet and peaceful as that helps my mind focus. What do you do, though, when inspiration strikes at unusual times - when you can’t just pull out your laptop and start writing? This was how my inspiration struck the other evening and it was such a special time for me.
Thursday evening was our small group. I had been out all day and was fighting a migraine, so I wasn’t really on top of my game. Honestly, it was all I could do to just keep up with the conversation.
The evening was going well - good food, great fellowship, and a wonderful word study on the Holy Spirit.
Suddenly, someone said the words.
Honestly, I don’t even remember which words sparked it for me, but the thoughts were all there, in a row.
But, no laptop, and the thoughts were coming too quickly to try and hammer it out on my phone.
Thankfully there were half sheets of paper on the table for an activity that we were doing. I grabbed a couple of unused ones and out came the outline of what will be a future post.
The inspiration, though, didn’t just come from the words that were spoken, but rather the faces around the table. Honestly, it wasn’t even those particular faces, though I love them dearly, but more the fact that there were even friends who could gather at the table. (More on that another time.)
As I wrote, the joy welled up in my heart. As the words came, I glanced at each face, considering the parts of their story that I knew, wondering about unknown parts, hoping that maybe - just maybe - I might someday share their stories.
I’ve never looked at others this way, soaking up inspiration from old friends and new ones. I’ve never relished the smile, enjoyed the inquisitive glance, pondered the lingering gaze at God’s Word, as I did that evening.
I watched people be friends. I watched a smile passed from one side of the table across to the other. I saw people listening intently, interested to hear what others would say.
Listening. I watched people listening to one another.
Have you ever watched someone listen - like, really watched them? The way their head tilts, the way their eyes glisten when they find something humorous, the way their mouth forms a frown in frustration, the way the smiles light up the face…utterly fascinating! And all a part of who God created them to be.
A dozen people - and no two of them listen in the exact same way. Yet they all hear, they all understand, and they all take in the words with love.
I listened as words were spoken - words to encourage, uplift, and edify. I watched the way the lips turned, the movement of their hands, the passion in their eyes as they shared encouragement, care and empathy one with another.
As I watched them all - my Thursday family, my church family - the words kept coming. The outline, the notes, the feelings, the words and phrases for a post that is yet to come. Pages were handed to me, conversations continued around me, smiles continued being exchanged while Jesus continued to be exalted.
And there was no question -
as quickly as the words came, they were finished.
There was no more to add, and not any to take away. Just like that, just a few minutes, was all I needed for my inspiration.
Pay attention - take notice of those around you. Watch as they listen, listen while they share, see the beautiful person that they are, and then thank God for the inspiration that He provides even around the table.
original photo source
