I know this is shocking to read, but I really like to write. I’ve always enjoyed writing. As a child, I loved writing letters to cousins and friends. In school, English papers never intimidated me. As an adult, I’m now in the blogging world to express myself using the written word.

Recently, I started the process of writing a book. It’s always been a dream of mine to write a book. I’ve got a couple of bible study books in the works and hope to complete those one day. But that true bucket list item of writing a book has been to write a novel. So for the second time, I’m attempting to write a novel.

Several years ago, after a devastating time in my life, I started writing a book. I wrote the story without much forethought. I just sat down one day and started writing. Through the story and the characters, I was able to work through all the thoughts swirling in my head. And then one day, the writing stopped. I put the story aside unfinished. It remains unfinished. I’m not sure if I will ever complete it or use it for inspiration for another story.

Some people think that writing that story and not finishing was a waste of my time and for them it probably would be. For me writing that story served a purpose and that purpose was done. So I moved on.

For me writing is an outlet. I write to process my thoughts. Most times when I go through an intense phase of writing it’s usually because I’m dealing with something pretty significant in my life. When I read things I’ve written in my past, I’m reminded of that struggle. It shines a light on my brokenness during that time.

For some that sounds awful and scary to reflect on the worst moments in your life, but for me it’s very powerful, even beautiful. It’s in those moments when I look back and remember that brokenness that I am aware of how much God has done for and does for me. It’s during those times of reflecting on the pain, I see God’s healing. I’m very thankful that I can see how I survived what I had once believed I could never survive.

So that was a long intro, but it brings me to the week’s prayer prompt. This week, I’m thanking God for my brokenness. I’m thanking Him for delivering me through all those painful moments. I’m asking God to help me not be ashamed of my story. I’m asking God to use my flawed, broken person to help touch someone else. I’m praying that God gives me the courage to share my story if He needs me to share it.

Prayer Journal Questions/Notes Ideas– Week 13
Ways God has helped heal me.
Verses that encourage me during difficult times.

He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3