I write every day. Sometimes I read what I write and it seems like someone else wrote it because I don’t write that well. It’s inspired from a higher source, I think. And sometimes I write and think to myself, “This is gosh awful.” And, I’ll be SO tempted to go back and chuck it all and start over. I’ve only done that a handful of times. Usually I let it go and it speaks to someone and I remember my prayer. I always pray over every post. I ask God to bring me the words to say and the reader that needs to hear them. It doesn’t really matter whether I like the writing or not. It’s not FOR me.

Last night I struggled with what to write for today. I called a friend in Florida. He is a good sounding board and often gives me inspiration on topics to write about. Last night I was venting my frustration over which dishes to keep and which to let go. I have three full sets of dishes and a sweet luncheon set. One set is stoneware. It was something Mr. Virgo picked out and he gave them to me our last Christmas before he died. But I have no real emotional attachment to them. They’re just dishes. He also gave me a set of Spode Christmas china. Nice, but still…totally impractical in a travel trailer. I love the little luncheon set. One of my dear friends gave it to me as a housewarming gift when I built my house in Colorado. They’re cute but impractical.

Then there’s the set of Royal Daulton china. We were buying a tablecloth when I walked up to Mr. Virgo standing in front of the china display. I absentmindedly told him I’d never had a set of china. My breath caught when I saw the pattern called Tennyson. So regal and strong. So sophisticated and delicate. I loved them at first sight. I received eight place settings my next birthday. I sat down on the floor and cried like a little girl because I’d never had anything so beautiful. I cannot get rid of them. Thank God I have friends here who have offered space in their basements or storage sheds to store things I just can’t part with till I have more time to consider what I want to do with them.

Which brings me to my point. I had prattled on and on about the dilemma of the dishes till I finally told my friend there wasn’t anything I could do about it right at that moment anyway. It was time to start unwinding and get to sleep. I thanked him for listening. Sometimes that’s all you need…someone to hear you. Someone to say, “You’re doing fine. Just keep moving forward.”

What I have to write about is not always profound. It’s not always some deep thought provoking essay. Sometimes it’s just an ordinary problem like what to do with the dishes. And that’s ok. Maybe one of you doesn’t know what to do with your dishes and you might find inspiration. Maybe you’re who I was meant to talk to today.

❤

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

2 Chronicles 15:7