I link up with Lisa-Jo on Fridays for a writing flash mob…throwing caution to the wind and gathering to share what a few minutes of free writing can buy.
Today’s topic: VOICE
GO.
I run through the crowded streets and well-lit alleys searching but unable to find it.
“Hello? Are you down here? Why do you keep hiding?”
Street after street, alley after alley, day after day — searching for the voice that is supposed to be mine but finding everyone else’s instead.
I like her hat, so maybe I should buy one. I like her outfit — maybe that’s what I should be wearing. Maybe if I add this to my sentence I’ll sound more like her over here. Or if I throw in more humor I’ll sound like her over there. Always running from my own voice because I don’t think it’s good enough. Smart enough. Funny enough.
Just never, ever enough.
It illusively hides in the places I don’t look; it’s not in the crowds or well-lit paths. No, the voice I’m looking for is the one hiding in the abandoned streets and dark alleys. The one that sounds like me and my pain and my life and my joy and my burdens. The voice I’m looking for is the one that comes to me because of the dark alleys, not in spite of it. It’s the voice of redemption and beauty and His glory, and of ashes that have slipped through my fingers and gathered on the altar of remembrance and forgiveness.
The voice I’m looking for is the one given to me by The One who created it. I just need to creep down the alley and find it.
STOP.
elevate ideas. 
“The voice I’m looking for is the one that comes to me because of the dark alleys, not in spite of it. It’s the voice of redemption and beauty and His glory, and of ashes that have slipped through my fingers and gathered on the altar of remembrance and forgiveness.”
Oh, my! I love this so, so, so, so very much. The imagery of the ashes has me in tears. Love you!
You are so sweet, friend. I pray you had a most amazing time on your anniversary weekend!!
Yes, yes! This bit here: “The voice I’m looking for is the one that comes to me because of the dark alleys…” beautifully illustrated how quickly I forget that my voice IS enough. To the only One who matters. Thank you, again, for a much-needed reminder of this.
Marvelous post.
You found me along the way, Monica. . . this spoke to me so loudly!
beautiful write…
I’m with you…creeping along…seeking…
Hugs to you!!
Love this post! It is so easy, isn’t it, to look to others who we find attractive or interesting or funny and try to be like them, rather than being our own authentic God-given selves. I especially loved your sentence: “It’s the voice of redemption and beauty and His glory, and of ashes that have slipped through my fingers and gathered on the altar of remembrance and forgiveness.”…beautiful and vivid…Keep lookin’ down those alleys because you are right, He has given you a voice that is uniquely yours and that WE need to hear!