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Welcome, Erekdale, to another edition of Weekly Wonderings!

This time around, I have a question to answer from The Document. It’s another submission from @princess-foo (thank you for the questions!), and this time it’s a little more personal.

“The theme of my WIP is that the most important thing you need to make a difference or be a hero is not bravery, smarts, or talent, but simply the willingness to do something. Recently, I was wondering if I had made a difference to kids lives while I was a counselor at camp. I am not particularly funny, or energetic, or outgoing. I kept thinking “Well I did this thing… but anyone could have done that. I was just the person that happened to be there. Well, I told funny stories… but that is just because I like stories. That isn’t special.” Then I realized that I was having the same exact thoughts that my MC has about being adequate. The important thing was not that anyone could have done it, it is that I was the one who did.

Has God ever used your own stories to tell you something?”

I really love the theme that you’re bringing forward in your story! It’s such an excellent reminder that when it comes to making a different in the world, simple action is oftentimes better than being perfect or knowing exactly what to do in every situation. It is the simplest building blocks of nutrition which uphold the steps of athletes, and great things can be brought about by simple faithfulness to act where you have been placed. Love it!

My own stories do generally deal with something that I have either learned or am in the process of learning. This element is what stands out to me and makes the story come alive.

One short story in particular had the theme of love as surrender – but beyond that, there was another deeper theme that was less clearly stated. And that was the theme of loving someone just the same in spite of our present emotional state. Loving someone for who they are,  rather than because of how we feel. 

I actually wrote this story several years ago while I was still in high school – and as the years have gone on, I have seen this dynamic holding true in so many different situations. Love is an emotion, and it ought to be a joy; but sometimes it is not our first instinct – many times we become caught up in our own emotional state and project that onto the outside world. This usually effects those closest to us the most deeply.

As an INFP, it’s an important reminder to me that part of the rational behind love is simply because of who a person is in relation to us: spouse, child, parent, etc. There’s a measure of grace that we can learn to extend to others if we practice love that rides the waves of our own emotions and is constant, warm, and unchanging.

That’s just one example. Most of my stories come from something very personal that I have been thinking about or learning, so I could keep going on and on, but that’s just one example from a short story of several years ago – which has continued to stick with me and remind me of the truths I need to remain focused on.

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So that’s my answer! Thanks again, @princess-foo! I’d love to hear if you have any additional thoughts about this topic.

As for the rest of you, don’t be shy! I love to field all kinds of questions about writing, and can’t wait to see what kind of discussions we can root up in the future. 🙂