When I was 12, I fell in love with writing; at about 20, I began writing for a newspaper; by 24 I was writing for national photography magazines and freelancing for a few publications. At 31, I was writing for a college newsletter. The process continued from one career step to another, not to mention the personal writing I created. At about 50, I found out that I was not a writer, after all.

There are times when I write, and that is usually my less-than-impressive work. I think my most important works – whether stories, articles, essays, blog posts or poetry – is when I am actually just a transcriber.

The Gospels have several references to the role of the Holy Spirit to guide believers in what to say. I believe that applies to whatever is written, to be sure it has a positive effect somehow. I feel pretty confident that many of my emails and memos during my years in universities were absolutely not guided or inspired. That’s another story.

As I’ve grown – perhaps the right word is “matured” – in my writing, I pause before pen hits paper or fingers touch the keyboard and pray for guidance as to what to say. Many times with my blog posts, I’ve heard from people who say, “I needed that message today.” Same goes with my presentations. So, perhaps, my intended audience was just that person, and I am okay with that.

My goal, my purpose, is to share what I’m guided to share. If it touches one or a thousand is fine with me.  I think that is true for pretty much for any work that anyone does.