Growth

He tossed me the keys to one of the University’s 15-passenger van and told me he’d be praying for us over the weekend. My team and I were leading a youth retreat at a camp in the mountains.

It wasn’t the retreat I was worried about.

It was the 15-passenger van I didn’t want to drive. The brakes were as unreliable as the air conditioner.

For my first van-driving experience, I’d be responsible for the lives of ten teammates in the mountains. I didn’t tell anyone but this was also my first experience driving any vehicle in the mountains. We don’t have many of those in the Great Lakes region.

He called it a growing experience and told me he believed in me.

photo by epSos.de

Growth

I post for The Write Practice every second and fourth Thursday. This means my self-esteem as a writer tanks every second and fourth Wednesday.

Who am I to give advice on writing? I don’t even have a short story published much less a novel published. I don’t have a master’s in creative writing. I’m a freelance writer/editor, not a teacher.

Yet every two weeks I dish out writing advice. With every post, I get nervous as I hover over the “Publish” button.  I frantically watch for comments and hate mail.

You know what? Comments come. Hate mail doesn’t.

Except from Joe who has told me my posts stink and that I can do better.

The thing is: he’s right.

But I have to struggle in the revision process listening to a stronger writer. Believing someone who believes in me.

It’s not easy but it gets easier.

I drove the van. We didn’t crash. I regularly drive in the mountains. And even miss driving the 15-passenger van.

After five months at The Write Practice, my posts don’t (always) stink anymore.

Do you have someone (or a few someones) in your life who are willing to push you beyond where you want to go? What growing experiences are you going through right now? Are you willing to grow?

(Bonus: Since today is the second Thursday in January, come on over to The Write Practice and grow with us.)

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