It's Still a Thing I Do

The Long Slow Work of Writing by Hand

Every morning I sit with a cup of tea and a pen, and I write out Scripture.

But believe me, it’s not because I’m super spiritual or anything. Just the opposite in fact. I write the Word, verse by verse, every day because I know how much I need to align my soul with Truth. I know I need better words than my own poured into me. I know I need to be reminded, again and again, of the Promises that will be kept.

So I write the reminders . . .

That God is still God. And my only hope is in God alone.

Over a decade ago I sat in a conference room at a publishing house. I met with the pub board, the group of individuals who decide which books they will publish in the coming years. I was their guest. They flew me there and set me up in a hotel room. We shared a meal together at a lovely restaurant. Then, we convened in the board room.

They wanted to hear about Word Writers — an idea I had for inviting others to study Scripture by writing out the Word. It led to some book contracts and some fun writing projects. And I’m grateful for these opportunities I’ve had.

The world has changed much in the intervening years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is my love for God’s Word and my deep desire to immerse myself in it, by writing it out, word for word.

Writing the Word was never a marketing gimmick.

It’s still a thing I do.

I have many tablets and notebooks stuffed into shelves — their lines filled with my cursive handwriting. Some books of the Bible I’ve written out multiple times. There are seasons when I want to saturate my heart and mind with the message of a single book. More recently, that book has been the Psalter.

Last year, before I set about the task of writing While Waiting for Morning, I wrote out all 150 psalms. It was my second time doing so. I thought maybe this year I would move on to another book of the Bible, but instead, I have found myself drawn yet again to the Bible’s own words on prayer.

This year I am using this journal to write the words.

When do I find the time for this?

Well, I’ve been off of social media for almost three years. I will write more about this at some point, but one thing I can say for sure is that it’s easier to find time for delving deeper into God’s Word when I’m not distracting myself with the world’s words or the world’s pictures. It’s just one of many benefits from not spending a single minute of my day scrolling.

Like the ancient scribes, who faithfully copied the eternal words of Grace and Truth, I find Word-writing to be a peace-filled exercise, sitting in the quiet, prayerfully absorbing the words of Scripture as my hand moves across the page. I’m careful not to change a single letter. I do not write in shorthand.

I actually enjoy the long slow work of writing by hand.

Part of me is reluctant to share about this here in this online space, because I don’t want to reduce this spiritual practice to either a legalistic or a performative thing. It’s like that saying, “The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.” Well, the spiritual life is like that too.

The more you grow, the more you realize how far you still have to go.

So I sit down each day to write the reminders. To fill up on Spirit-inspired words.

And then, when I pray, I pray the words of Scripture back to God.

Whenever someone asks me how to begin learning how to pray, I point them to the Psalms.

The Psalter shows us how to pray.

Shalom.

Denise

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A Few Notes . . .

*Thank you for your vote of confidence when you tap on the “heart” at the top of each post. And, as always, you are welcome to share these words with a friend.

*While Waiting for Morning: An Invitation to Pray is available. If you’re like me and you prefer to hold a printed book in your hands, you can find a copy at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

*And lastly, no part of this newsletter — nor anything I have ever published — has been made with Artificial Intelligence (AI) or ghostwriters. All of my words, including any accidental typos, are my own, except for when I quote others with appropriate citations and links.