Monday, November 16, 2009

My Writing Testimony - Kimberley Payne

In the year 2000 God called my husband and me to Orillia, Ontario. I sold my home and my business and Bob left his job and sold his cottage. We bought a home in a town where we had no family and no friends and started a new life.

This was the first time that I ever stayed home with my children full-time. I worked when they were young and then started my own business when my oldest child started school. But in Orillia, I was home all day, everyday.

Being a social person, I sought out other women and ended up attending a Women’s CARE Group at the Christian Reform Church. It was there that I gave my heart to Jesus and began my personal relationship with the Lord.

At home, I took to reading and studying Christian books. I enjoyed such classics as Hannah Whitall Smith’s “The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life”, Josh McDowell’s “More than a Carpenter”, Catherine Marshall’s “Something More” and “The Sacred Romance” by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge.

By following the advice of Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way, I began to journal a minimum of three pages each morning. They were called, quite appropriately, “Morning Pages”. Through this process, I wrote about my fears, anxieties, observations and lessons learned as a new Christian. At first, my writing was between God and me. He revealed things to me that I never would have been open to receiving any other way. I remember the day when I was having a “discussion” with God about what my call in life was and He responded, “to write”. He told me to write to bring people closer to Him.

Since that day I try very hard not to miss a day without writing my morning pages. I share my walk of faith with others through my weekly column, Today’s Faith, in the Millbrook Times. God has done so much for me in my life, writing a book – Fit for Faith, and writing regular Christian articles are just some ways I can be obedient to His call in my life and bring others closer to Him.

How did you get your start as a writer?

3 comments:

Peter Black said...

Kimberley,
Thank you for sharing this interesting, exciting, and inspiring, piece of your life journey. And your keeping up your morning pages journalling regimen over these years, in the midst of your very busy life, shows your dedication and confirms your writing call.

Angela said...

I've been journaling for years now and share many times my entries either at my blog or with the ladies as my Bible Study.

I find it such a blessing to go back to read past entries, years later and see the hand of God moving in such a mighty way...

We are 'neighbor's. I live close to Niagara Falls...

Blessings.

Kimberley Payne said...

There are some rainy days when I just love to read through old journals to see where I've come from. Many times it takes this reflection to help with looking forward.

Hi neighbour!

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