By Esih Efuru
One Sunday morning before worship, a choir member beckoned me towards her in the choir stand. She slowly lifted her hand to reveal her first published work. I smiled weakly and gave her a high-five. I remember her struggling to find her voice, not sure if she even had the energy or will to write.
On my 40th birthday, I was given a novel writing kit as a present. I was moved that someone recognized my love affair with words. Two years later, I’d gifted this talented writer with the same kit, encouraging her to believe in her gift and to embrace her craft. As I now observed her smiling proudly, I felt a sense of longing for all of the words I’d lovingly compiled. I missed the early hours of morning, where the alluring scent of hazelnut coffee would signal the awakening of my characters, their folly and need for company. Writer’s block had taken my groove.
Your inner groove is a necessary tango of your God-given gifts and their manifestations, a dance that expresses the art of life’s seasons and textures. If a passion ever seems to be drifting from your reach, take a moment to stop, breathe deeply and wish it back from the depths of your being. Your soul’s survival depends on your groove, heaven’s pulse riding within you. The world needs your rhythm to make a symphony out of the universe’s augmented chords.
Just as you rise and give God the glory for another day, take a moment to appreciate the gifts you have and make a commitment to honor them. Your gifts may be just the sutures that were designed to hold someone’s hope together. I’ve renewed my commitment to my groove, for I live for the way writing saves the soul.
