Music Monday: “Loved By You.” By Riley Clemmons
by: Debbie Waltz
Welcome Back Readers~
Starting next week, audiences will probably notice a few changes on this blog. These revisions are twofold-not only making allowances for personal time off my platform to go visit my niece and Cheer her on at her first collegiate swimming competition, but also allow me some much-needed time to rest and relax before embarking on the next and most important part of my writing journey.
As many of you know, I have tried to finish my young adult novel with a disabled hero on my own for several years. The theme for such books is so needed; being that their stories are not being told authentically. Rather, through a third-party writer whose stories don’t always do them justice. Having said that, I have decreased my posts to twice a week, giving me more time to write on my book. But I won’t be doing this alone. As always, my parents and family will be cheering me on. This time, I won’t be going alone; this time I have hired a book coach to help me talk through many of the issues during the writing process. I hope this helps me not only be successful in completing my manuscript within a year but hopefully, it gives me a clear vision of whether I can, and should, make this a series. Not only am I questioning the series’ validity but whether I have enough in me (at this point I’m not sure)
Though this new journey excites me, it also makes me doubt myself. While this coach will encourage me, she will also make me accountable for the goals we set on the way. I refuse to let myself use my disability as an excuse why I didn’t make a deadline. Yet, I don’t want to be the one to set unrealistic goals. That’s why I believe God meant for Darcie and me to work together as a team. You see, she has a Master’s degree in special education (along with being a writer herself.)
In last week’s blog, I mentioned how the labels we are given in today’s society have the potential to change the way we see ourselves and limit our impact on the world. Sadly, this is one of the most powerful arsenals in the enemy’s toolbox because we seek others’ approval more than the Lord’s. Many times, though, we put on these labels without even realizing it because of some conversation in our childhood.
Riley Clemmons’ song “Loved By You,” reminds us of the Truth amid all the lies in this world – God Loves Us! Nothing we can ever do can change that; Jesus proved that by dying for us “while we were yet sinners.” (Romans 5:8). Even more shocking, He calls us each a friend. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The chapter continues explaining how Jesus has passed on everything he has learned to us for a greater purpose to bear fruit and share The Good News with others. (John 15:15- 16)
To listen to Riley’s song, it can be accessed here:
Yes, the damage of society’s labels. The adults with disabilities had labels tossed at them in every area. The ones doing the tossing knew nothing about the person that the label stuck too. Then there was the public physical parting of the sea in malls, fairs and events. As people moved as far away to pass by then return to their original path after they had passed our group.
Next is the labels we place on ourselves. Almost all are attached to a trauma in our lives from childhood.
I only want Godly labels such as Child of God, Daughter of the King, Forgiven, Loved and most of all Jesus follower.