Rethinking the Normal – Theresa Makosi Mmualefe
1. Identity, Calling & Personal Journey
I am a pointer. I came to establish this about myself over the years as I sought to understand why I was on earth and in the world. Whatever work I have done in my life has turned out to be that of pointing people towards a direction preferred by God, which ultimately turns out good for the parties involved. I point humanity to the opinion of God, and therefore to Himself, on whatever matter He brings to my attention. God’s opinion is set forever and should be the ultimate goal of every person, regardless of the who, what, which, why, how or when of their being. This pointer, based in Botswana, is a daughter to Papa Konrad and Mama Malesoane Ramula; a sister; a wife to one husband; a mother; a parent; and a relative.
By the mercies of God, I encountered Jesus at some point in my life, was born again, and became a disciple of Jesus, something that remains for my lifetime. My name is Theresa Makosi Mmualefe, but I write using my other given name, Seitsiro, the reason for which is a story for another day.
2. The Book & Motivation Behind It
In A Reconsideration: A Journey Rethink, I was writing about assumptions normally taken for reality in light of the Word of God. The book has seven parts:
i) I Been There, where I use the human life journey of Jesus to rethink life’s challenges common to humanity, such as human displacement and being in need of resources.
ii) Each Day Mother’s Day, to show how motherhood is a 24/7, 365-days lifestyle, thus the need to reconsider celebrating this phenomenon beyond the once-a-year May event.
iii) Still Growing, where I challenge the norm of regarding children as spiritually passive when, in fact, they carry the capacity to be used by God while growing.
iv) A Father Needed? Count Me In, where the discussion calls fathers to step into intentionally present, responsible and accountable fatherhood, as originally ordained by God.
v) Will You Not Call Me By My Name?, in which I present the good that comes with God calling one by name, such as receiving mercy instead of the full wrath of God and alignment to God’s will, in order to stir a yearning for the same dealings by God.
vi) Illegitimate … Me?, where I discuss the unfairness of the social label of illegitimacy in children and the need for a careful look at it in line with God’s mind.
vii) The Young Child Shall Live, wherein I consider how Africa is like a vulnerable young child who should come out of chasing shadows so as to find her true identity and destiny in God.
What motivated my writing was, first, the fact that all seven parts were inspired by the Holy Spirit and would not go away. Writing was therefore my way of obeying God. Secondly, I wanted to honour God by being His commissioned author, writing at His bidding on whatever matter He chooses. Thirdly, the words He put inside me regarding these matters were burning within me and keeping me awake during the night hours. I had to bring them forth for some relief.
3. Overcoming Writer’s Block
Yes, I encountered writer’s block, but not that much—twice at the most. Each time it happened, I whispered to the Holy Spirit for help: for Him to give me clarity, direction, leads, apt vocabulary and divine speed, which He graciously gave me. I also considered His leading by writing on the part He nudged me towards rather than on the one I already had on the writing schedule.
4. Receiving & Applying Feedback
I consider myself to have handled the feedback very well—being receptive, appreciative and enquiring further where I did not understand or needed clarification. Personally, I did not receive any negative feedback. It was all positive in that it pointed out strong points in my writing, such as strong advocacy for children, a strong concern for identity and dignity, and excellent use of refrain. It also highlighted areas that I needed to improve on, such as a poetic style that was difficult to follow, repetition that added no value, and a conclusion that needed greater strength and logic. I considered all of this positive because it was for the purpose of helping me bring out the writing as intended.
5. Prioritising Writing Alongside Other Commitments
This is a tough one because the other commitments of life are equally legitimate and important and therefore also needed attention. For me to get to where I am, one way or another, something had to give. I would put aside a commitment and pick it up at a much later time, spend less time on it than I normally would, or sometimes shut it out altogether.
6. The Sapphire Writing Class Experience
For me, the content writing was intense, mainly because I needed to cover a lot of ground in order to fully address the different parts within a short period of time. Although that was the case, I am glad because I was able to dispense with that aspect of the writing stage. The Class was beneficial in several ways. First, it mostly reinforced what I had learnt when writing my first book. Secondly, the topic on storytelling brought in what was needed to help the various parts, which share the same theme, gel together into one wholesome story. This, for me, is a great takeaway from the Class. Thirdly, the topic on genre has become provision for my writing journey—something from which I can draw should I write in another genre other than poetry.
7. Encouragement to Aspiring Writers
Never forget that you are a concept of God and uniquely you. This means that whatever God has put in you and has purposed to come through your writing remains your call. So, start the thousand-mile journey today with the first step by asking God the Holy Spirit to teach you how to bring forth what He has locked inside of you. Then start noting down that which wells up from inside of you. The rest will definitely flow as you consistently continue writing.
CLC Kenya Celebrates 1 Graduating Writer from the Botswana Sapphire Writing Mentorship Class
CLC Kenya joyfully celebrated the virtual graduation of 1 writer from the Botswana Sapphire Mentorship Class, marking another milestone in raising Christian authors across Africa. Facilitated by Jackline Ingasian and hosted by Dr. Muthoni Omukhango, the graduation brought a writer from Botswana who completed a manuscript.
Rethinking the Normal – Theresa Makosi Mmualefe
Theresa Makosi Mmualefe, writing as Seitsiro, describes herself as “a…
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