When I start something new, something that makes me feel vulnerable because I am taking a risk in sharing myself, it isn’t long before doubts and a wave of fear washes over me. The inner critic, who over-analyzes the worthiness of my efforts, rises up and shouts “Who do you think you are? You are a nobody so who cares what you have to say?!” I have spent my entire adult life fighting this battle of the mind and as a result I have often shrunk back allowing it to weaken my resolve or, even worse, to crush my creativity. I see it happen to other artists who are courageous enough to keep fighting the battle in spite of many rejections and obstacles, but their battle scars are showing. I know each of us matter and so do our voices. Whether you have a story to tell, a picture to paint, a song to sing, a race to run, or a mountain to climb, I think we all have something to say or something we must do that is worthy. I truly believe our hopes and dreams are God-given and creativity is the birthright of EVERY human being. I try to encourage creative efforts whenever I see them and especially when I am touched or inspired by them. We can’t see ahead on the path, we don’t know where the art, the dreams we have, or life will lead us, but I am learning to simply take the next step, however small it might be. So, if you are a comrade on the journey, whatever it may be, and you, too, know the battle of which I speak, these lyrics I wrote over a decade ago when I was battle-weary are for the both of us:
God has not forgotten you. You are His child and He loves you.
Turn now to Him and He’ll be there, God has not forgotten you.
When the door slams in your face, when the road seems long and dreary…
Hear Him calling, feel His grace, Hear these words when you’re weary:
God has not forgotten you. You are His child and He loves you.
Turn now to Him and He’ll be there, God has not forgotten you.
When you feel rejected by the world, when the search for love brings only hate…
Hear Him calling from your unfurled heart, Hear these words and humbly wait:
God has not forgotten you. You are His child and He loves you.
Turn now to Him and He’ll be there, God has not forgotten you.
When your light has turned to gray, when you feel alone and broken…
Hear Him calling, for you He prays, Hear these words softly spoken:
God has not forgotten you. You are His child and He loves you.
Turn now to Him and He’ll be there, God has not forgotten you.”
Snippets and Snatches 