“As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs” (Psalm 84:6). (Baca is similar to the word for ‘weeping’.)
Last post I quoted from Anne Frank. I love how passionate Anne Frank is about her writing. But in light of what unfolded, there is also such poignancy in the longings she declared when she wrote in her diary on Wednesday 5th April 1944:
“I finally realised that I must do my schoolwork to keep from being ignorant, to get on in life, to become a journalist, because that’s what I want! I know I can write…., but it remains to be seen whether I really have talent…
“And if I don’t have the talent to write books or newspaper articles, I can always write for myself. But I want to achieve more than that. I can’t imagine living like Mother, Mrs van Daan and all the women who go about their work and are then forgotten. I need to have something besides a husband and children to devote myself to!
“I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death! And that’s why I’m so grateful to God for having given me this gift, which I can use to develop myself and to express all that’s inside me!
“When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived! But, and that’s a big question, will I ever be able to write something great, will I ever become a journalist or a writer?”
Anne wrote for the next four months until her final entry on 1st August 1944.
[With thanks to whoever selected these lines – I’m not sure exactly where I picked it up from!]