Back in the 1800’s respiration was defined by two primary modes: expiration – the act of breathing out, and inspiration – the act of drawing air into the lungs. We don’t think of inspiration in that context anymore, but isn’t it beautiful? It provides a deeper understanding of those moments that take our breath away. When beauty forces itself to be noticed, and we gasp, we’re inspired.
I didn’t know it when it happened, but Michael Crichton’s book, Jurassic Park, breathed the air of inspiration into me as a middle school student. Prior to reading his tale of genetically recreated dinosaurs running amok on a tropical island I loathed reading. His book awakened me to the power of words, and you reading this is proof of their influence.
I now spend my days with a book in my hand and a story in my heart.
Since that Jurassic moment, God used His words to introduce me to himself, to tell me how He created everything with words, and how His Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God is a communicator, a storyteller, and we’re all living the drama.
This is why I’m humbled to create with words. God was the first author, and His is the bestselling book of all time. Me, I’m just a guy, a mere mortal who wants to tell stories. Writing began for me with my first blog, Nobody’s Normal. It’s there I write about my experience as a husband and father in a family touched by Cerebral Palsy.
My first book was a memoir of my years playing football for the legendary Bobby Bowden at Florida State University. I’ve got other books in process, God only knows which one will be finished next. Lord willing, there will be many more to come: memoirs, fiction for adults and kids, non-fiction, poetry, who knows. I write a blog called Discovering Writing where I share all about the craft.
In the meantime, I communicate with the spoken word when I preach from a pulpit, teach from a lectern, or talk with a group. I hope the words I expire become the ideas you’ll inspire and in turn, let them inspire you.
Just read your article in this month’s issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Thank you very much. We, too, have a son with CP, though his challenges are very mild compared to your precious Caedmon.
Among our eight children, we have a child on the Autism Spectrum, at least one with learning delays (in the process of testing to see what is going on), and two kids with sensory processing issues. “Normal” has a whole new meaning for us now; I’ve had to adjust my definition frequently over the last eighteen months.
You can read more about our family at my blog, http://www.mamamarchauna.blogspot.com, and I’ll be checking back for updates on your family, too. Thank you again. I appreciate your perspective.
To whoever may stumble across this reply I want to let those know of how much I think of Ryan and his wonderful family. It has been a while since I’ve published on Ryan’s blog, however, in the years that I have come to know Ryan I can say what a great experience God has given me and my family. Ryan has caused me to experience life in a new view. To consider all possibilities and ponder them as to what God’s meaning is for me and for my family. I will not go on and on, even though I could, but will say that Ryan has taught me that its never too late to learn of yourself and to realize that God has a purpose, His purpose, to everything and everyone we come into contact with. Through this I have applied this to my job as a law enforcement officer as I come into contact with different people everyday. I am an instrument of God and I do his handywork in the contacts I make and the people I help. To one of my dearest friends, please continue your work and enjoy the ride God continues to set before you (new baby). My life, because of you, has been forever changed and you have been His instrument to enlighten me to the ever changing things He has yet before me. I love you my brother and your precious family. May God continue a good work in you.
Thank you Dean. Yours are kind words and I appreciate them very much.
What a great discussion on the word, ‘inspiration’. I will never say that word the same again.