What Choni, The Circle Maker, Taught Me About Writing

Never, ever give up!

The Circle-Maker

Choni lived in Israel in the 1st century BC when a severe drought threatened to wipe out an entire generation. The people were dying of thirst — physically and spiritually.

They yearned for nourishing rain to water their crops, and they yearned for the Voice of God to water their souls. The prophets, through whom God spoke, had died 400 years earlier, and any miracles they performed were a distant memory. It seemed God was nowhere to be found.

However, there was a man (Choni) who lived outside the city walls of Jerusalem, that prayed anyway. He believed God still heard the prayers of the people. The people knew this and gathered together to ask Choni to pray for rain.

With a six-foot staff, Choni drew a complete circle around himself, looked up to heaven, and prayed for rain in a loud voice saying, “…I will not move from this circle until you have shown mercy upon your children.” (Talmud, Bava Metzia 28a)

As soon as Choni uttered those words, rain fell. At first, it rained in sprinkles. Choni cried, it is not enough! He asked God for the rain to fill the cisterns and underground trenches. Then the rain fell in torrents.

Not satisfied, Choni asked for the rain of blessings and prosperity. The rain fell so hard; floods forced the people to the higher ground of the Temple Mount. They got just what they asked for!

One prayer for rain saved a generation. The future was just one prayer away.

My Prayer Circles

I’ve drawn prayer circles for many years. I sat in my chair in the kitchen, and turned in a complete rotation praying for healing, loved ones, favor, and finances; you name it. However, I drew one circle for myself.

A writing circle.

I knew from a child I should write. But, life got in the way. After raising five kids and three grandkids, I became sick with creeping, crippling arthritis that restricted my mobility. But not my ability.

I did not know how or when, but I drew my circle and proclaimed, “I am a financially successful published author and speaker!”

For 15 years!

In the meantime, I studied the craft and journaled. Then a little over a year ago, I felt the sprinkles of rain when I found my writing community. They taught me, encouraged me, and inspired me to write. I joined writing groups that taught me about the rules of writing professionally.

They guided me even though I was considered a “baby writer”. Most of my writing buddies had years of social media, blogging, and freelancing experience under their belts. Being intimidated, I felt like an imposter. I later found out that is a real thing.

But I did not give up. I stood in my circle and persevered. Like Choni, I felt the drizzles. The was refreshing, but it was not enough.

I kept writing and praying. Then an amazing thing happened! People encouraged me with their comments and responses. They empowered me to write more, to reach down, down, deep in my spirit to find the words and ideas.

My community helped me to polish my work and gave me the courage to hit the publish button more often. They propped me up when I was overwhelmed and afraid.

Speaker

My prayer declaration also includes “I am…a speaker.” Now, this is an arena I feel is beyond me because when I stand in front of people, I get stage fright.

For instance, I sat on a tall stool in front of my church and taught the adult Sunday School class a few years ago. I thought to myself, this is a piece of cake, I got this, no worries.

However, when I positioned myself on the stool and looked up, the only thing I saw were eyes everywhere. Staring at me. No people, just eyes. My mind goes blank, I get light-headed, my mouth opens, and nothing comes out.

I felt like bursting tears, and I wanted to run away. But I didn’t.

I struggled through my lesson and vowed never to teach again. Even so, I will conquer this fear, and I will speak once more.

Podcast

After my previous mishap, I took a long hard look at what I can do besides writing and speaking. Then it dawned on me: a podcast! Currently, I’m working with my team to create a podcast for middle-aged women. Women in the middle.

They interviewed me for the first podcast, and you guessed it; the same thing happened. My mind went blank, and I opened my mouth to silence.

Wow, how can someone get stage fright on a podcast? Afraid of the microphone? Whatever kind of phobia this is, I have it! When I got my voice back, I croaked my way through the interview.

However, I will not let that stop me. I am practicing, recording, and believing until I get this one right, too. Thanks to my sound engineer, Margie Pearl, who is editing every hum and haw (about 90 times worth, I’m told), the podcast will be successful.

Choni drew a circle in the middle of a crowd. I drew a circle in the middle of my crowd. I urge others to do the same. Together we can encourage, inspire, and empower each other to believe in ourselves.

I would not have had the strength to continue if not for my writer friends. God sent the rain of favor when one email about writing changed my life.

One email, one prayer, one circle. That’s all it took to change a life. Mine.

Will you be the circle-maker in your family, community, or nation?

Draw a circle, take a stance, and do not move until you receive the answer to your request. You are only one prayer away.

Do you want to be a circle-maker?

Debbie Walker is a great-grandmother, blogger, and writer with a BA in Psychology. Her vision is to help others live the life they aspire to live…one word at a time. Stay in touch with her at [email protected]