Ready to take know EXACTLY what you were created to do? Click here!

life{in}grace

live with more presence, passion, & purpose

It’s Not the Critic Who Counts?

by 211 Comments

strongman

I sat at my desk for nearly 70 hours straight last weekend to finish the rewrite for my book.

I got up a few times for bathroom breaks and to eat, once to shower, and then to sleep.  All total, I’m stunned how many hours of blood, sweat, and tears has gone into the writing of that book over the last year but I can tell you this— the most poorly written book in the world has my respect because what it takes to even begin, much less finish, is more than I ever imagined.

I was ashamed of myself for the times I’ve flippantly criticized someone else’s book or work or life, without really knowing the situation or the person at all.

Being a critic doesn’t require anything from us, we have no skin in the game.

But being in the ring, being the doer, the maker, requires that we face our humanity, that we own our sins and failures, that we get ourselves dirty in the vulnerable art of being a flesh and blood human who offers our work to the world.  It’s easy to be a critic of someone’s parenting style but it’s not very easy being an actual parent.  And so it goes with everything else in life.

The difference is love.

Like our Father who made us, the maker is marked by love—he loves his work and he loves those for whom the work is done.  It’s love that keeps him fighting and making and working so that he can spend himself in service of his neighbor.

What the critic often lacks is love.

And love changes everything.

Most often, it leads to a cross—a place where suffering meets healing, where death meets life, where the whole of our humanity meets the depth of His love, where the one who mocks meets the One whose face is marred with blood.

A place where even we critics can be transformed.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Katie says

    Wow do I miss the “Life In Grace” emails!! Congrats on your book and hope you are back to blogging soon 🙂

    Reply

  3. rebecca says

    SO glad to see your post this morning – you are an inspiration to me and to so many others!!! Take care of yourself and always remember your “balcony people” are always cheering you on!!

    Reply

    • Anise Butler says

      That is the first time I’ve heard “balcony people” mentioned in a long time. I forget the author of those books written twenty or more years ago. I just love the idea of balcony people. Those who are watching and praying for you from a distance but always ready to step in and catch you when you are about to fall.

      Reply

  4. Nancy says

    May God bless you as you bless all of us! Thank you for your inspirational courage and fortitude! I pray the Lord will now bless you with refreshment, relaxation, and a deep sense of His abiding joy!

    Reply

  7. Tamara says

    Thank you for the post and your transparency. You are authentic… refreshing and inspiring. I can relate to your words. I have been far too critical at times. We learn and grow in God’s grace and in grace towards others. Give your self a hug 🙂 What a fantastic accomplishment. A book? Good for you! Thank you for sharing your heart and being real. BTW that is one of my favorite quotes.. I read it when I feel discouraged about my big mistakes.. Have an awesome week.

    Tamara<3

    Reply

  8. Julia says

    Happy Dance, Happy Dance, Happy Dance!
    Email from Edie! HAPPY DANCE!
    YA-HOO- I felt sure my eyes were playing tricks on me. I had been deleting LOTS of old email (yech!) I was thinking it was an older one of yours that had floated up to the front of the line. But wait, no! It was a new one 🙂
    Keeping you in positive prayer and positive thoughts 🙂
    Great quote- I love it-
    Love you too, Edie-
    Big Hugs

    Reply

  9. Christy says

    Your message always, always speaks to me. I can’t wait to read your book. This quote is exactly what I thought when I had my first artwork in a show. So easy to be critical and not see all the work that goes into it. I also think of the quote about modern art- “I could do that. Yes, but you don’t.”

    May blessings flow abundantly for you.

    Reply

  12. Carol says

    So excited that your book is almost available for all of us Life in Grace fans.. Although it was a such a sad occasion it was good to see you last month. You are as beautiful as ever.

    Reply

  13. Lacey says

    I too, have missed you around here. But I am so thrilled for you and your book.I’ve been praying for you and this endeavor. Thank You for blessing us with your words!

    Reply

  14. Betsy Gordon says

    Edie,

    I’ve so missed your blog posts and especially the pod casts.

    I just know that your book coming out will be such a gift to all that read it. I’m really looking forward to reading it and then sharing it.

    Congrats, you’re on the home stretch.

    Happy summer,

    Betsy

    Reply

  15. Elizabeth Highsmith says

    I listened to My Epic’s version of the Doxology as I read, Amen! Praise the One from whom all blessings flow…so many times I’ve come here and you’ve helped quench the thirst only Jesus can give. Your book will flow with living water for the thirsty, thank you in advance from a recovering critic

    Reply

  17. Heather says

    Having a few published author friends (and one in the family), I have seen first hand how writing a book can be so vulnerable and taxing on a person. All creativity and works of art make the creator vulnerable, specifically to criticism. But it is a joy and worthy contribution to the world.

    I look forward to reading your book, and will be sure to review it on Amazon!

    Cheers,
    Heather

    Reply

  18. Julie J says

    Oh my gosh, so happy to see you post something again. I’ve missed coming here each day! Cannot wait for the book to launch, such an accomplishment. Go have some summer fun now. xoxo

    Reply

  20. maryrose says

    Your post reminded me of one of my favorite lines from Pride and Prejudice, where Lady Catherine de Bourgh tells her guests about her own gifts and talents that she has never exercised: “There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.” Ha ha ha! It cracks me up every time I read it! Don’t we all know people like this? They are great critics of others, and yet have never had to produce and implement a creative thought themselves. I confess to being a better parent before I had children, but weren’t we all? 🙂 Soldier on, my friend! You are doing the hard and heavy thing for God’s glory!

    Reply

  21. Tracey Casciano says

    Edie,
    You and I have a LOT in common! I have also spent the last year writing a book and watching my children become young adults. I too will never look at a published book the same way. I know that it was God’s grace that allowed me to get to where I am today and have the courage to put my journey from abuse to forgiveness to a life with Him on the pages.
    Best wishes to you!

    Reply

  22. Laura says

    Every day i read your site.Its very nice and i should like to be in Austrelie again. Hope you both have a good trip to America ,without flaund will enjoy yourself ! Greetings for everyone with you and a kiss for the little girl Love from Dick and Gerrie.

    Reply

  24. car insurance quotes says

    Well, even those people that are meeting all the spending requirements they want to meet could use the Ink Bold to buy these, thus getting an 9% rebate on everything. (5 UR – 1% fees on these cards)

    Reply

  25. http://www./ says

    A francba!Pont az ilyen pofátlan esetekre gondolva írtam bejegyzést a blogbajokra és Tőled kaptam az első választ! Teljesen egyet értek Scottyval és Mujuval, nem szabad annyiban hagyni! Szorítok Neked és várom a fejleményeket!

    Reply

  132. lick vagina says

    1 star
    You are so interesting! I do not believe I’ve truly read through anything like this before.
    So good to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this subject.
    Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the web, someone with some originality!

    Reply

  158. keytamin says

    1 star
    you’re actually a just right webmaster. The site loading velocity
    is amazing. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick.
    Also, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a wonderful
    activity on this subject!

    Reply

  169. anal sex says

    1 star
    Hello! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my
    previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this
    post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for
    sharing!

    Reply

  189. japan porn says

    5 stars
    Greetings! Quick question that’s totally off topic.
    Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My weblog looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this problem.
    If you have any recommendations, please share. Many thanks!

    Reply

  192. korean porn says

    3 stars
    You really make it appear so easy with your presentation but
    I in finding this topic to be really one thing that I feel I
    might by no means understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very vast for me.
    I’m having a look ahead in your next publish, I’ll try to get the dangle of it!

    Reply

  194. japan porn says

    1 star
    It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions.
    Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read even more things about it!

    Reply

  196. Trang chủ 789F says

    5 stars
    I do not even know how I stopped up here, however I thought this post was good.
    I do not know who you’re however definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger
    if you are not already. Cheers!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *