The apostle Paul raced across Asia Minor seeking Titus, even bypassing towns where the opportunity for the gospel was great. He was unable to sleep; he was anxious; his spirit was not at rest within him.

Paul’s source of anxiety? He wanted to hear how the Corinthians had received his letter. Titus was coming to tell him.

Authors write for specific audiences. The needs and wants of our readers direct our words and the stories we choose to tell. Do they need to be uplifted? Do they need humor? Do they need reminders of God’s mercy?

Words on a page often seem effortless to the reader, as if they don’t mark the investment of prayer, time, and thoughtful consideration. Yet our writing is how we speak to our readers.

When they don’t respond, we feel as if we’re speaking into the wind. Paul hurried toward Titus because he couldn’t bear waiting for the Corinthians’ response. He needed to know!

Nowadays text messages, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have spoiled us for patience and waiting to hear how our words have been received. We tweet or text. Someone likes it, retweets, or responds. Dialogue occurs.

Immediate feedback lets the writer know they’ve hit the spot.

The same with conversation. We speak. Someone responds.

Conversación *k59 via Compfight

This is not always the case with blog posts, and it certainly isn’t with novels. Our readers may not ever share, comment, or review. They may simply walk away impacted and contemplative, maybe mentioning their musings to someone else, or maybe not.

Maybe they’ll just engage with God. Maybe they’ll have questions or arguments they wonder about, but never ask. Weeks, months, or years later, they may engage with us about it, but then again, they may not.

This is one of the things I find most difficult as a writer.

God made me to write. I write to uplift and to encourage my readers. I write to remind them that no matter what they’ve done, God’s arms are open wide and he runs to them.

When I speak I have the privilege of saying these words and seeing on the listeners’ faces the impact of God’s love. I hear it in how they respond.

I long for the same feedback from my readers. There’s nothing more encouraging to a writer. How did the story affect the reader? Did the blog encourage you? Or do you disagree completely?

Writing requires great faith. We write what God has given us. We shoot it off into the void, and then we trust that he is using it, even if we never hear a response. If we don’t continue in faith, we will give up.

It seems like every time I feel like giving up, the Lord prompts many of my faithful readers to comment or dialogue about what I’ve written. Then my heart is uplifted, and I know my words are promoting the love of Jesus and impacting their lives.

Thank you, dear readers, for your responses. These let me know that I’m following the Lord’s leading in what I have written, because it has met your felt need.

I write for you. It’s a conversation.

Today encourage a writer if you want to shore up our faith and uplift our hearts. Hit Like or Share. Comment. Respond. Tell us.

Your feedback keeps writers going.