Dirt-Digging Writers

Here in the Pacific Northwest, winter’s cold continues long after my southern friends sweat (ahem, glow profusely) in the sunshine. By the time the snow melted off the mountains, I was itching to plant a garden.

I love digging in the dirt. Somehow, God’s beautiful nature breeds healing and restoration. After the soil is prepared, fertilizer and other nutrients added, seeds are planted. Then it’s time to step back, pray. and hope for a worthy harvest.

Writing is much like planting a garden. Writers dig for stories, pray, and prepare. With each story, article, or book, writers encourage and inspire their readers. They impart wisdom and motivation for growth.

But writers aren’t just dirt diggers, we plant life.

Let’s be avid gardeners–worthy of our calling. Burrow for deep truths in God’s nourishing word. Pray. Be patient, don’t rush the process. And fertilize our writing through reading, critique groups, books on writing, and conferences.

In the end, the nourishment of our own writing nurtures our readers.

And both we and our readers reap the harvest.

“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:7-8 NIV).

Lisa Buffaloe is contributing author for The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter. Her articles have appeared in Angels on Earth magazine, as well as Guideposts, Rest Ministries, (in)courage.me, and others. She’s an active member of writing organizations and critique groups, leads Bible studies, and speaks to writer and women’s groups. Her manuscripts have placed as finalists in the 2011 Women of Faith and the 2010 ACFW Genesis writing contests, and won awards with other distinguished writing contests. Contact Lisa on Facebook and Twitter.