The Beauty of Brevity

The ability to say just enough and no more is a learned art—whether in conversation with another, a prayer to God, or in your creative writing.

I love the quote: “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” There are numerous sources attributed to it, but my focus here is on what it says rather than who said it. Because it’s true. It takes far more time to hone our words than to ramble. Volume isn’t the same as quality. 

In these daily readings, I try to offer the most impact with the least words. I know you’re busy and honoring me with your time, so I do my best to say it well…and say it swift.

Consider how you feel when the person across from you at lunch talks the entire time, never realizing they haven’t asked you one question. Or how you feel when you receive a text the length of War and Peace.  When I get a rambling email or text , my response time tends to be slower (because it takes time to plod through it and decipher what the point is). I then keep my reply to a few sentences. My hope is to reflect genuine engagement while mirroring the beauty of brevity and clarity.

I could say more, but I’d rather keep it brief. Give it a try and see how less really can be more.

This reading was crafted to encourage your pursuit of story and creativity with God. Your donation makes this crowd-funded initiative possible. You can support it via PAYPAL (or by check to Allen Arnold at PO Box 62841, Colorado Springs, CO 80962).

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