The Suckiness and Beauty of Writing...

Vacation is right around the corner and we are so close we can taste it. Not sure vacation tastes like anything in particular, but you understand our anxious anticipation to "hit the road" nonetheless. Gena and I leave Sunday after church to head to her parents home in Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania for a week of rest, relaxation, good eats, naps, family and friends. I can't even begin to describe how incredible it is to go to her parents and just "be." To simply lay on the couch and have the freedom to take a nap without any distraction or anything pressing that needs to be accomplished. That is what I call "heaven."

Every time we travel there we are always sure to stop at one of our favorite outlet/department store called "Ollies." Ollies is one of those places that has just about everything and anything at very affordable prices. Man, I sound like a commercial advertiser. The interesting thing about Ollies is that it's only in select regions. And I'm very, very pumped and proud to say that our hometowns of Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania and Buffalo, New York find themselves within those select regions.

In my opinion, the best thing about Ollies is their vast book selection (ahem...especially their "Inspiration" section). Ollies sells numerous books and many related to Christian theology and spirituality which I absolutely love. And these books are not your Walmart brand of Christian books, they are authors and theologians that I very much enjoy reading. But the best part of all is that the books at Ollies are listed at a third of the price of what they normally list for. So every year around November, Mike easily walks out with twenty to thirty books. It's an addiction really, but Gena says she'd rather me be addicted to books then to something more destructive like crack or alcohol. It's great to have someone so instrumental in my life support my addiction. I wonder what an intervention would look like for someone who reads too much.

....My name is Michael Voit and I'm addicted to books.

Just recently, and by recently I mean last night, I finished Donald Miller's new book entitled A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Miller is a very engaging author who combines his wit and humor with a raw honesty about life that deeply communicates that which he is learning in his journey with God. He has authored several books, one of which is a personal favorite entitled Blue Like Jazz. His newest book was unlike anything I've ever read in regards to life and faith, which made it a very intriguing read. Many of the concepts were fresh and new.

One of Miller's most profound points that captivated my mind and heart ironically had nothing to do with the main thrust of the book. And it was an insight that he made about his own personal struggle with writing. Miller confesses that writers find writing, creating and storytelling to be grueling, hard, and probably one of "the" most difficult tasks they face. Much to our misunderstanding, writers aren't people who can sit, write, express, and create on a whim or a moments notice. It takes time, effort, and deep thought. It's almost as if there's a painful birthing process that takes place when writing and creating.

Now while I was reading Miller's book, I found myself deeply resonating with what he was saying about writing. It made me wonder if I struggle so much with writing because I am meant to write, create, and express my heart not just for my benefit, but for the benefit of others. I wonder if I'm meant to help people on their journey and on their 'Return' to the Father by expressing my heart through words either written or spoken. As, I write this I'm honestly scared. Perhaps I'm scared to hear that I am meant to do this because it's difficult and because there's a part of me that would rather live in the land of "numbness" and "comfort." But deep down I know that's not where Jesus wants me to live. He wants me to live in the center of the struggle because that's where we're refined and remade in His image.

God, grant me strength to be who you've called me to be.
Give me the courage to accept who I am.
Give me the faith to believe that I am becoming who you've always meant for me to be.

My love for You, my heart for You, my life for You, all I am for You.