For many years, I longed to be a writer, but never wrote. I had too many other things to do, things that seemed more important, more “real” than my nebulous dream of writing creatively. I had to get my work done before I could pursue a “hobby.” Taking time for those important child-raising, housework and church volunteer tasks was a "self-indulgence," or so I thought. There was never time during the day. When the family came home, even after dinner, when we were all relaxing in front of the TV or the boys were off playing, I would never go off and “do my own thing.” I had to hover around everybody and make sure they didn’t need me! Sound familiar?
Here’s the funny part. Even though I’m single now and my sons are grown, I still seem to be waiting for permission to write. Maybe I expect interruptions. God knows they were constant a few years ago. Laundry, dishes, cleaning and yard work still demand attention, but I know they are not as high a priority as my writing. Even when our circumstances change, our brains tend of stick with old patterns.
Here is Lesson Number One about “permission” to create: If you are waiting to get all your “real” work done before you are allowed to be creative, it will never happen. What we all need to do is carve out time for our creative pursuits every day. We need to respect that time and be faithful to it. And we need to teach those around us to respect us, too. That means spouses and kids and telemarketers. When the door is shut, no one may knock (or walk in). The phone goes unanswered or someone can take a message. Trust me, the chores will be there when you are finished. So will the kids, spouse and volunteer work. But you will probably do it more efficiently if you’ve had that time to yourself. There’s nothing like an hour or two locked away with your poem or your song or your art project to give you new energy for facing all other stuff.
If I had it to do over again, here’s what I would have done during those busy child-raising years. I would grab the early morning hours after getting everyone off to work and school. After my quiet time with the Lord, I would spend some time thinking and dreaming and writing. No one would have been the wiser!! Then, I’d get busy with the floor scrubbing, dishes and beds. And if I had an office job (I did for many years), I would find a quiet place at lunch time or after work (the library, a local coffee shop) to create. Again, no one would be the wiser.
The best time to create is when no one else is around. People just don’t respect a person who is busy creating -- probably because we don’t look productive. We may stare off into space, doodle, mutter to ourselves, pace in circles. Even if we are writing furiously or putting paint to canvas, we don’t get no respect! Kids especially (but adults are just as guilty) don’t feel any qualms about interrupting a creative a work. Why? Because being creative is less important, I guess, than all those other things we all do.
So………do your creative work when you get a quiet window of opportunity. And if the opportunity doesn’t present itself, make one. Do your creative work at the first opportunity during your day. The rest of your duties will still be there. They will always be there. But the urge to create can fade away if we neglect it too long. Don’t neglect your divine creativity!
As for 'permission'. Here it is. You have my permission. And, more important, you have God's. What more do you need?