Awake My Soul

Column Post by Lakin Easterling

“He dressed in Righteousness, put it on like a suit of armor…and threw a cloak of Passion across his shoulders… ‘As for me,’ God says, ‘this is my covenant with them: My Spirit that I’ve placed upon you and the words that I’ve given you to speak, they’re not going to leave your mouths nor the mouths of your children nor the mouths of your grandchildren. You will keep repeating these words and won’t ever stop.’ God’s orders.” ~ Isaiah 59:17, 18, 21 {The Message}

The past month has brought some incredible people into my life. All of these people are creative souls in one form or another, whether it’s with words or painting or art journaling {currently one of my favorite things to do}. Seeing how differently each person’s soul came through her art stirred something in mine, and a tiny voice sang out I want to do this too!  I want to make my own creative space. 

I want to become my own design.

So I started reading about people who had this same feeling. I subscribed to blogs written by women who heard their calling and pursued it with all the strength that resides in a determined female heart {which is a lot}. And I wondered where my space was. Where do I fit?

I am a dreamer, but more than that, I dream on pages. I wanted to write. I wanted to own a bookstore. I wanted to be a part of a community of women who write and laugh and help each other grow. I wanted everything ever that had to do with words or paper or pens or an old book smell.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. I mentioned this to my wise and supportive mother-in-love, who introduced me to Write Where It Hurts. She asked if I would like to submit an article for consideration, after which I giggled like a child because this was a first, solid step towards doing what I love. I’m going to be a writer!

As soon as those words had formed in my head, the very second my heart was spilling over with joy from something I thought was impossible being made possible, my soul literally darkened. I was bone-cold and startled, but not surprised. This had a name: opposition. Defiance from one who never got his dream, and swore I would never get mine. Since that moment, the Enemy has been looking for ways to make me give up, making me doubt  who I am, doubt who  the people I love most in my life are, having miscommunication after miscommunication and always, always, always a lack of time.

Last Thursday when I sat on the couch, I was nauseous about what being a writer meant to me any more. Did I really want to do this? What if it messed up my marriage? What if it cost me the greatest friendship of my entire life? What if, what if, what if…

I sat down in a huff, determined to shake Satan away. I didn’t know what to do. So I picked up my Bible from the bookshelf and sat it on my lap, letting it fall open with a groaning prayer of desperation. Isaiah 59:21 was the first thing I saw. “{he} threw a cloak of Passion around his shoulders…the words I’ve given you to speak, they’re not going to leave your mouths…”  God is clothed in passion for me. He’s on my side, loving what I love, rousing my calling, and cutting a way for me through the muck and mess of an enemy who can’t stand to lose. There’s hope here, especially here, in the war against my very identity. There is a desire in every person. When it is called forth, so are many dark and sinister things. But there is no fear in this, because perfect love drives out fear.

“Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem, by the gazelles, yes, by all the wild deer: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe –and you’re ready.” ~Song of Songs 2:7 {The Message}

When your calling is stirred, will you be ready?

P.S. We’d love to know your thoughts; be sure to share in the comments section below. This month we will draw TEN winners from our commenters and the winners will receive one of these two  books, Hope for a Hurting Heart or To Let You Know I Care by our featured author this month, Cheryl Karpen. 

Lakin Easterling is a wife, mother, writer, and avid reader. She spends her days chasing her toddler, Belle, and conversing with the elderly who are afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia. She loves surprise coffee dates with her husband Luke, texting novels to her best friend, Laura Hyers, and being a college student. She dreams about being brave enough to get a tattoo, and believes in the healing power of a good cup of coffee. Her favorite nail polish is Sail Away by Milani. She blogs at http://threadingsymphonies.wordpress.com.

Read more encouraging stories from brave-hearted women here. Be sure to grab your free copy of inspirational quotes and writing prompts while you’re there. (Look over on the right hand side!)