For several years, I pondered what it would be like to meet together with other local writers on a periodic basis.
Well, a small contingent of writers has been meeting for nearly two years now, and I can attest those meetings have been invaluable.
Put simply, these writers would not keep meeting month after month if they did not get value out of the informal gatherings. Writing can be a lonely undertaking.
More than 90 years ago, a small group of academicians from Magdalen College in England, The Inklings, first came together to share literary works and encourage each other as they pursued their passion for writing prose and poetry.
The two best known of those who attended were C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. It would have been delightful to have been a “fly on the wall” listening to their conversations.
I suspect some of their literary accomplishments may well have been birthed at some of those informal sessions.
Our small group meets monthly at Mulligan’s Café located on the premises of Santa Barbara Golf Club. The food and beverages are good and the restaurant has been accommodating, allowing us a quiet room to meet over breakfast.
We have no rules and no protocols. We even discuss politics and religion, but we do it with civility and respect for the opinions of others.
I suspect The Inklings would approve of our monthly gathering.
We may never create any great literary works that will impact future generations, but we do have the satisfaction of knowing our carefully selected words will be read by our selected audiences.
And, with the advances in communications these days, it’s even possible some of our contributions may go viral and have a dramatic influence on others more than we could possibly imagine.
If nothing else, friendships are being made and minds are being expanded.
In Hebrews 10:24-25, the writer proclaims, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
That Day of the Lord is nearing and many sense our time to share the Light in this world currently filled with dark ideologies must be taken while we still can. Yes, our free speech has already been threatened.
As a diverse group of writers, we leave our monthly meetings with different thoughts and ideas. We go back to our quiet spot and pound out pieces that will be shared by our respective audiences.
A few readers may respond, but most will hopefully read our words and gain some value from what we attempt to convey to the masses. On a much broader base, we can all benefit in meeting together these days.
As followers of Christ, we all need to regularly meet with others. Don’t do it simply to be encouraged. Do it to encourage others and I’m certain you will all be blessed.
We never know how the Holy Spirit will touch the lives of His people. Consider it as preparation for that day when we will be welcomed home into His celestial kingdom.
That day may be just around the corner!