I Am

There are some things that 'I am' that are easy to prove. For example: I am a mother- I have the children, the stretch marks and saggy, uh, skin to prove this one. Whethe or not I'm a good mother, is not so easy. If you listened outside my windows at certain times of the day you might doubt that. I am a young women's leader- the stooped shoulders caused by the big, fat notebook that I carry around every Sunday would prove this one. Along with the e-mails, meetings and the worry lines that I contribute to stressing over these precious girls. I am a stay-at-home mom- not because I stay-at-home that much, but because I can tell you who won the showcase on Price is Right and what my friends posted on Facebook today. I am a friend- how can you prove this one? Well, have your washing machine break down and see how many offers you get to 'come on over'. I had enough that made me feel very friend-ly. My point with this post is that some things 'we are' are easy to prove, others, not so much. If I drew and painted, I could say, "I'm an artist" and no one would dispute that. Pull out a painting or two and there- proof. If I made quilts, I could say I'm a quilter and have easy proof of that. Oh, I've made quilts, but they wouldn't make anyone say that I'm a quilter. But, if I say, "I'm a writer" the first thing people want to know is, 'What have you published'? Oh, I'm not that kind of writer. Yet. (Unless you count the poem I had published in the New Era years ago. I don't.) It's hard, to prove that you're a writer. Everyone writes these days. All you need is a computer and very little know-how and whammo, you have a blog. I think it's great. Many people are writing who normally wouldn't. But, it makes that proof harder to come by. I am a writer. I have written one book. Not very good, I have to admit, and I have the publishing rejections to prove it. It's all good, it was a great learning experience. I am currently writing another. It's completely different than the first and I think (hope) it's better. The good news is that I'm almost done. It's been a struggle, more editing and changing than I'd expected. I've felt the guidance of my Heavenly Father in the entire process. I pray before I write, every time. I know that this gift was God-given and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to develop it. Whether or not it'll be published remains to be seen. If this was just for me and the few people around me to benefit from, then so be it. One thing it has proved to me is that I am a writer. And, that's enough.