The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the midst of the valley and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around and behold there were many in the open valley, and indeed they were very dry, And He said to me, son of man, can these bones live? So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Ezekiel 37 :1-3
Sometimes writing (or living) starts with a valley of dry bones. We are done. Life has left us dry and scattered. We look around the valley we are in and wonder if we can pick up the pieces. And we see no help in sight.
In this place God meets us and we begin again. God says to us as we examine the pieces of our life, “Can these bones live?” And we are not sure. But we take a breath and begin.
The dry bone of grief becomes part of a story that will bring life to the reader. The rib bone of pain, hard to pick up, becomes hope for another. The bone that we least want to use, the bone of bitterness, is transformed to beauty as the character in our story overcomes. We continue word by word as God breathes life into our dry bones.
The story is done and we are exhausted but there is inside us a hope that was not there before. And when we look down at the page we see that the dry bones have become a living, breathing, army of words ready to march off the page into the lives of others.
“Can these bones live?”
Only God knows. But we can take a breath and begin.
Have you been there?
Laurie and Betsy
WritingSisters.com
Interesting you wrote on pain, I just recently wrote about pain also. I wrote about “Don’t waste your pain.” Hmm, a lot of people are in pain. I know that.
We live in a broken world and pain is very much a part of that. I love your idea of not wasting your pain. We can let those bones lie there, dead and bare; or we can link arms with God and move through the valley. And – comfort others with the comfort we have received (I Cor 1:3-5)
Powerful words, ladies. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I know those dry bones. I’ve been there. I am there. xox
praying for you
Indeed, I have been in the valley of dry bones for many years as I journeyed with God through my wilderness season. The valley is the place of our greatest pain. But it is also the place where priceless treasures of wisdom and knowledge are given. Vast wells of water are created. Our hearts are changed. And our character is shaped and molded and perfected in His likeness. Our calling is birthed. Our purpose is unveiled. We leave the valley running briskly after our divine destiny.
Beautifully said! Thank you. Blessings.
Love your comment!
I’ve been in a lot of pain, both physically and emotionally, and somehow I knew it was all for a purpose. My writing was interrupted years ago as I helped by daughter get out of an abusive situation and then to tutor my grandchildren. Today my daugher is free and the grandchildren are honor students. I’m back to writing and the pain my characters experience is believable.
Thank you for sharing this testimony. Hearing of God’s faithfulness in these difficult situations gives hope and encouragement. Blessings.
What a sweet encouragement for us today. Thank you so much and God bless you. I’m off to share this . ..
My Deb, thank you for sharing this wonderful post. You are a blessing to me! When I read “the rib bone of pain” I was reminded of the rib from my body used during the fusion surgery where the infection had destroyed a section of my spine; now the rib is growing and providing stability for my back…Thanks Be To God! Our Lord is so amazing
To Laurie and Betsy,
Your words have encouraged me today, to stand firm in the Lord amidst my pain. Bless you.
Thanks for sharing this – the rib growing and providing stability is a wonderful picture of the body of Christ supporting one another in unique ways and in the midst of pain.
Dear Laurie and Betsy–you have no idea how you’ve blessed me today! I’ve been struggling so, over whether my novel is worth finishing–and I’m weepy-eyed as I thank you for speaking God’s “Yes”. Thank you, thank you–for always encouraging and blessing the writers who read you. God bless you bountifully–love, sis Caddo
Satan would love nothing better than for you to abandon your work.
“the Lord has chosen you … Be strong and do the work” I Chronicles 28:10
Thank you–I’m starting to get really excited again!!! Bless you Big!
Dear Laurie and Betsy,
This is a beautiful and heart-wrenching picture of how I sometimes feel when I write about the more difficult aspects of caregiving. Then when someone comments that my words have helped them in some way, I know that God has breathed life into the dry bones of Mom and Dad’s journey through dementia and Alzheimer’s and given some meaning to the last years of their lives which otherwise seemed so senseless. Thank you.
Blessings,
Linda
Thank you so much Linda for this comment and your ministry to others.
Definitely in “the Valley” right now…….appreciate your writing on this.
Sorry. I’m praying for you.
Thank u:)
Reblogged this on shasblog's Blog and commented:
Beautiful….and can totally relate right now.