Why I Write

Since this is a new website I thought I should republish my history and how I got started writing. I know some of you already know but for those who don’t, here you go…

There has been some curiosity from friends as to why I write, so I figured I would give the explanation. I have never considered myself to be a writer. I started writing out of what I perceived to be necessity.

I paid only slight attention a couple years ago when a group of college homosexual activists were visiting conservative religious universities. It was no surprise that they came to Bob Jones and it didn’t really bother me. If they want to protest, be my guest.

I became very upset though, when I saw Christian people out protesting and preaching against the homosexual group. They were yelling in megaphones, had sandwich boards on that said “you’re going to hell”, and were in general giving a very poor impression of Christ. I was annoyed by this, but still unmotivated to say something.

Later in the week I was getting my hair done and my hairdresser brought the situation up to me. She was talking about how people at Bob Jones were so crass and rude. How she hated when the screamed at people and how much they hated homosexuals. I found it offensive and knew it was untrue. I have a degree from that school and when they are perceived as unloving by the community, I am as well. The thought was then with me that others in the Greenville area probably had the same idea. I did not know how a mother could speak up for the love of God, but the thought struck me; I could write a letter to the Editor.

I prayed and decided to write two letters. One letter was basically negative in tone. I was upset at the media’s coverage and at the protesters. Then I wrote letter which was focused on the love God had for homosexuals. I felt led to submit both letters, so that’s what I did. Honestly, I did not think either one would be printed.

I did not tell my husband that I had sent a letter to the paper. He is not as “out there” as I am and I knew he would find it a little weird. In hindsight, I probably should have told him, but at the time I just was not comfortable doing so. I figured there was no point in causing a disagreement if they were not going to publish them anyway. When the paper called and asked me if they could publish one of the letters, I then decided I had to tell Daniel. Luckily, although he wasn’t thrilled, he wasn’t mad either. Once he read both essays he was convinced, as I was that the negative letter would run. Since the paper didn’t tell me what they were going to do I was left in agony until I saw it in print.

The day it ran I was in shock; the positive letter had been printed. The newspaper had printed a completely positive letter about God’s love and Bob Jones. I was convinced that day that God could do whatever He wanted. I also decided that anytime He laid something on my heart that I would write it down for His use.

And that is why I write.