I woke up at 4:35am. Nature called. More than that, the words called. I went back to bed, warm and cozy. But the words wouldn't stop. I had to see where they'd take me - and write them down.
They started with birds on a wire.
Where does that come from in the wee hours of the morning? Rested, but not yet fully awake, this is where a writer's mind goes. Writers are strange birds.
After dragging myself out of bed to write, it became clear this poem was not about birds plural, but a single bird - all alone up there.
How often I feel that way. Writing is solitary. I can't afford an assistant, and I don't have a team to collaborate with - or even to argue with. It's just me.
In addition to writing, I'm building a nonprofit, SOUL. This I didn't see coming. Like words at 4am, SOUL called me and wouldn't let me rest. Like writing, leading a nonprofit is solitary. Isolating.
You're on a mission from God, but no Blues Brothers are singing in the background. Alas, deafening silence can be defeating and discouraging. You're out there alone - a bird on a wire.
So here's my poem . Read the first column and let it sink in before reading the second column.
Now go back and read across each line from one column to the other. I don't know how this happened. I'm as amazed as you are. (Although I did make some minor adjustments when I noticed this phenomenon.)
After I wrote the first column, I thought I was done. It spoke my heart. Then a still, small voice reminded me. I'm not alone.
And neither are you.
God's blessings to you this holiday season as you fly in faith, feed your family, fellowship with friends, and fight the good fight with your Savior at your side.
Merry Christmas, my friends!
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To learn more about SOUL, visit www.sanctuaryofunbornlife.org.
We appreciate your support of SOUL Sisters and our mission to provide maternity housing
for pregnant women in need.
For more of Dianne's writing, visit www.diannemiley.com.
A portion of all book proceeds benefit SOUL.
