Dusty Papers Proliferating
Posted: Thursday, May 06, 2010
by Marijo Phelps
I picked up the last page of the dusty stack, thinking it strange that my finger smeared the ink. Knowing my desk is definitely a work in progress, the unexpected finding did not surprise me at all. However, usually I quickly remembered what was where even though it looked like total chaos to the casual observer.
What had I been working on that was this thick? Why did the ink smear? I had not just printed this out as the dusty top paper confirmed. No, but wait, beyond my finger more ink appeared. This was being written before my bleary eyes. Sleep was definitely the next thing on my list for today.
Sunlight was coming in the window, highlighting the dust floating in the air.
“Meowwww"
My squinting eyes told me it was already after 9 AM. I was usually up by 6, oh, my! Guess I might have overslept a bit.
“Yes, I hear you, you think it is way past time for breakfast, don’t you?"
It caught my eye from my desk again. Almost beckoning me to come to it but my cat’s intense crying came in first place.
“OK, let’s get you some stinky cat food , come on" Tika was rubbing and rubbing my lower leg trying to make the can opener and “mama" move even faster. I grabbed a cheese stick to quell the growling of my stomach and turned, almost on auto-pilot to my desk.
I couldn’t stay away from the yellowed paper stack which drew me back to it. Flipping pages it seemed a story of someone’s life. Then I remembered that back page had seemed to have wet ink to my sleepy eyes the night before. A grin broke over my face “I really must have been exhausted" was my murmured thought.
Just then the phone interrupted my musing.
“Hello"
By this time I had reached some of the latter pages of the manuscript. I was astonished to see something in print which had just passed my lips. “Yes, I hear you, you think it is way past time for breakfast, don’t you?" The one-sided conversation I had finished with my cat not moments before.
“Hey, Lynn, it’s Jen why do you sound like you just got up?"
My best friend, Jen, was on the other end of the phone. I told her quickly about the night before, the pile of papers that seemed even thicker this morning and my puzzlement over them.
“When did you first find these?" came Jen’s query.
“You know how my office is, one day I simply realized there was a stack of papers on my desk that I didn’t recognize and it really didn’t sink in, then. Soon I realized that dusty paper package seemed to be growing thicker, I think I began reading it then."
“Weird, when did you realize it seemed to be your story, your life being written?"
“Just now when I read what I’d said to Tika when I opened her food this morning. Man, I don’t know if I even want to look at the final page, the ink seemed wet last night but I was SO tired."
“How about this morning, what does it say, is it still wet? Lynn, why are you too quiet, why can I hear nothing but your breathing?"
“My, my finger has ink on it Jen. The printing is continuing on, our conversation is all there in writing and more is being inscribed."
“What does it say? Don’t leave me hanging here."
“Choose you this day whom you will serve……I am really scared to read more."
“Remember when we talked about needing to decide and make a commitment? About asking for forgiveness of God? Lynn? Lynn? Oh, my goodness I’ve got a dial tone!"
(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.
Marijo Phelps,saved by Jesus grace in 1974, from 9 years atheism into His loving arms. She is wanting to spread the good news about His redemptive plan for our lives through written media. Her name is pronounced Mary Jo. She was an RN for 23+ years, missionary with YWAM,statistical analyst for Every Home for Christ 9 years. Her first poem published when she was four years old. (her mom had much to do with that!) She has been writing ever since.
Her new blog can be found: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com
Her new blog can be found: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com
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More commentsMarijo,You just amaze me, how do you do it? it is just like I can't keep up with you and every article are very good.Me and Kim want to know your secret... spill itThank youI wrote this one for a contest on Faith Writers. I pray for the Lord to give me direction, inspiration and His Words... I have folders on my desk top where I put little ideas to be written later, I had notebooks from 25-30 years ago where I wrote down things the Holy Spirit laid on my heart - then lately felt impressed to look up scriptures that go with them and write a prayer (devitional page) Now I am re-writing all several hundred of those and putting the scriptures in my own words (one site I post on considers quoting the Bible not original and you have to put in your own words or they will not publish).....I write in my head while hiking and doing other things....I am RETIRED (which means that I cook good food, water over 200 trees on a rotating schedule, clean the house (sort of), take care of 4 house cats, figure when Mick gets home from work (since I am not working outside the home) he deserves to be spoiled...wash dishes, mend and alter clothes, wash clothes, grocery and do errands, have the deligated job of paying bills etc.I also read 2-7 books a week (besides the Bible) but I do read pretty fast but don't skip words...Post on about 6 websites regularly.....what can I say - I LOVE writing. I have rarely ever had "writer's block" and I have also resurrected pieces I wrote when I was a young teenager and posted them - when all else fails I dig out family favorite recipes and post them.GRIN!MarijoMarijo,Some day I want to write as you do. Thank you Busy LadyWell, I can tell you one thing.... it is a blessing and a joy - especially to share the Lord Jesus Christ and even in my fiction I have a tendency to spill over - how can I not with Him who has truly set me free? If you go to my pieces and scroll down to the first 3-4 that will give you a graphic picture of what He delivered me from.... HE is SO incredible!
Marijo,
I just love the drama here! what a creative article! I think the shortness of it did add to the mystery.Jose' and I need to know if you stay up all night!!! We just cannot for the life of us, figure out how you write so many wonderful articles. Thank you!I am a wreck if I don't get 8 hours of sleep or even 9 (some days I am a wreck) Mick and I often go to bed at 8-9 and up at 4-5.This one was a "down and dirty" one - I felt the idea come (the website picks a topic this one was The Manuscript) and thought about what it would be like to find an old stack of papers and realize thar it was a work in progress and it was writing your life!Would you look? Would you peek? Would you have things like forgiveness and salvation worked out? I might not be done with this one but they have a wrod limit so it had to be this short to enter in the contest.THANKS again - your encouragement helps so very much!Ok, Now I just need to know what kind of vitamins you take! You are amazing!!!Well, Mannatech products are wonderful! Even if you were kidding. I forgot I have to do a mile on the treadmill 3-5 times a week too and Saturday almost always we are hiking all day (4-6 miles, a 4X4 drive on dirt and dirt roads and a picnic usually. AND in case you forgot,, I am sixty-four... today I delighted in making homemade okra and ham and veggie soup, fresh fruit salad, corn on the cob and homemade deviled eggs. Now, if Mick will just get home so we can eat! (He is lifting weights first and I am going to read!)No, I was actually quite serious! With all the things you accomplish in a day, you must as well be a great organizer. Dinner sounds fantastic, we'll be right over! haha have a great night!Would love to have you! Don't know how I did anything when I worked and we had my folks in 2 different facilities and took care of their house 1.5 years before we sold it... whew.
You are truly shining in your writing. I must say ditto with the others, where do you get all the time. You are prolific when it comes to your writing and it just continues to get better. Keep on keeping on. God bless.Thanks Linda - you can read what I wrote them on how I write - as for the time.....NOT....thanks Linda - I can always count on you!
I had to struggle with this read, it seemed to jump odd, but once I got it, I found it quite brilliant. I think then that the problem might have been mine, I'm not surrealistic enough to fall into the story. Still, quite good.Thanks so much AL, it was actually written for a writing contest that had a word limit on it - I was thinking about writing 2 more parts too but not sure yet (they are in my head) U had fun with it but it is not my "usual". Notice - the friend heard a dial tone so someone hung up....GRIN Thanks so much for coming by and your kind comments!
Why'd you leave me hanging like that Marijo? What happened? I hope you have part two in the works- I'm waiting! Always- EllaWritten for a contest with a WORD limit - might do a part or two more! Thanks for the encouragement ....she got a dial tone so that means someone hung up....GRIN
Interesting article Marijo, but you better slow down. You're working too hard, I can tell. Sorry to have been so long in reading some of your articles, but I can see you know how it is.YES I know! What do you think - is this ok as it stands or should I write a part 2 and 3? The contest I submitted it to I am getting overwhelmingly positive comments - I don't want a part 2 to be anti-climactic....Well that is up to you. If you can make others as interesting and attention getting as this one...go for it.
Thank you for sharing this article.Appreciate your coming by and your comments, Jenn.
Well written. Enjoyed it. Kept me wanting to read the next line. Connie Casethanks very much Connie! I appreciate your reading and comments.
Marijo, I wanted to read the rest. It is interesting article. Thank you for your posting.Glad you liked it - am not sure if I will write a part 2 and maybe 3 or no....Thanks for coming by!
Hi Marijo,Once again, you nailed it! You are simply brilliant. You always manage to get your readers' interest and keep us begging for more!TerenceWhat a super comment! Thank you for being a faithful critique giver and encourager!
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