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I am dyslexic. Highly functional because I was raised by parents who were both english specialists. They worked tirelessly to help me read, write and spell. I still struggle greatly with grammar and homophones, you'll maybe see some of those mistakes in this thread. 1/
I'm dyslexic but I'm also a writer. My mother told me I was a writer when I could barely write. I had lots of ideas and passion, but putting those words on the page was tremendously difficult. Even so, she worked and worked and worked with me on every single thing I wrote. 2/
Eventually I began to believe my Mother's confidence in me. I began to believe that I am a writer. I began to write like my words were worth saying. Writing is not easy for me, but I kept at the craft. 3/
Dyslexic don't enjoy reading and the activity of reading and writing takes profound emotional and intellectual energy. Consequently, I didn't enjoy writing longer posts or pieces. Yet, I also had a desire to write a book, to say something substantial. I faced a dilemma. 4/
Finally, I decided I must write a book or I would regret that decision on my deathbed. It was that strong of a motivation. I felt I needed to write a book, not to be published, not to be famous, not to even be read, but to simply show myself that I could do it. 5/
So I wrote a book with much effort and lots of editing help from my mother, father and wife. I didn't submit it to publishers. I didn't want to face rejection or revisions. Consequently, I self-published The Community of God: A Theology of the Church From a Reluctant Pastor. 6/
After writing the book, I also finished my doctoral program in ministry at @pdxseminary. This too was a profound challenge for me and my dyslexia. From my doctoral work I have been given the opportunity to write another book, one that will be published by @ivpress in April. 7/
I am thankful for this opportunity to be published. However, this is not why I wrote my first book or any book. Ultimately, I just felt I would regret not trying to write down what God has placed on my heart. 8/
Some of you are struggling with the passion God has placed in you. You have words to write, songs to sing, painting to paint, but you feel sometimes as if there is no audience or outlet for your work. This might be true. However, I urge you to create anyway. 9/
There is something sacred in allowing God to express His creative nature through you. Your work has value in the doing, not in the reception. The world doesn't always make room for what is worthy or beautiful, but God does. God delights in every worthy expression. 10/
With this said, I want to encourage you like my mother encouraged me. I want to validate the giftings God has entrusted to your care. You are a writer. You are an artist. You are a dancer. You are a unique expression of God's creative goodness. Now go and create. Much love. 11/11
Some people asked, so here is a link to my first book. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692868380/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_t2MwFbQDXJMD8
