Writing Through Grief

Today, I welcome Darlene L. Turner as a guest on my blog. Darlene is a gifted writer and a dear friend.

Her story will touch your heart. Please feel free to comment below.

 

Writing Through Grief

By Darlene L. Turner

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” (Psalm 121:1 KJV).

I stare out the living room window, my vision blurring and tears forming. I shuffle into the kitchen and peer out the back window. Perhaps the view from there would be different and change my situation.

It didn’t. My brother was still gone.

And I had writing deadlines.

How can we write during times of grief? Should we?

There are those who may answer “no” to that question, but I would have to disagree. Mind you, there are times when we have to step away from our laptops. Times when concentration is tough and we wander, like me going from room to room, looking through the windows, staring into nothingness.

After that first initial shock of grief, it’s important to start putting words to paper. Even as I type this blog, the tears are flowing freely, but I write. Why? Here are some reasons I feel it’s important.

It’s therapeutic – Writing helps us in the grieving process. Even if the first words are only journaling, it begins the process of working through the pain and stopping us from getting stuck. Pouring our hearts out on paper can do wonders for the soul.

God can use it in someone’s life – There could be an individual going through the exact same pain we are—right now. Our words can bring comfort, encouragement, and hope. That in itself is reason enough to keep writing! We just never know who will stumble across our work. God’s timing is always perfect.

Our writing is stronger – Our emotion is raw during times of grief and our best writing can come out during those periods. Pain moves us in ways we never thought possible and flows through our fingertips. However, we do need to be careful not to share too much and make our writing all about us. It’s about our readers. We must pray for guidance.

Writing through times of grief—no matter what type of pain—can be tough, but rewarding for both the writer and the reader. When God is written in every word, He will seep through the lines of the page.

Yes, there is a time to stop and mourn, but there is also a time to pick up our pens and use the words God has given us. Words He will use for His glory.

So, because of this, I will write through my grief. It’s what my brother would have wanted.

For God to be glorified.

Darlene L. Turner writes romantic suspense. She won the 2016 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense in the unpublished Inspirational category and is a finalist in the 2016 ACFW Genesis Contest. She currently has a continuing short story, Death Brings Life on the High Seas, running in an online publication. She blogs weekly and her current series, Coffee & Conversations with Women of the Bible, is a fan favorite. She lives with her husband in the Forest City of London, Ontario. Visit Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com