Jordan Weiber’s father described seeing his then 1-year old daughter displaying an incredible sense of balance by standing on one leg “like a pelican” as she dressed herself. Gabby Douglas’s mother remembers installing a camera in the toddler’s bedroom to study how she was getting out of the crib. As it turns out, Gabby had perfected a push-up and front-flip move to dismount. These two young ladies, now US Olympic athletes discussed in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, showed exceptional athletic abilities early on.

Reading the athletes’ stories and thinking about my own childhood experiences reminded me that many of us have always known, deep down inside, what we were destined to do (Ephesians 2:10). In my case, we’re talking writing, of course. I remember drawing long squiggles on sheets of paper, taking them to my mom, asking her, “Mom, what does it say?”

She’d reply, “I don’t know. What do you think it says?” And I’d make up a story. This happened countless times before I ever actually learned what a letter was.

I don’t have any scientific data for what I’m about to share here. But I think these quirky little characteristics might be clues that you, too, were born with a natural affinity for words.

1. Are you a pen-freak? Do you horde pens, “accidentally” take pens, get excited when you see several different colors of pens, or have a favorite type of pen you love to write with? Even though many of us “write” on computers, many of us still love to see ink flow on paper. It’s a beautiful thing.

2. Do you have several ‘Chapter One’ files on your computer? Starting books over and over again is a sign that you must write a book. Write one already. You don’t have to get it published, you don’t even have to like it. Just write it to prove to yourself that you can actually complete a manuscript. Next time, you might have something you’d like to share with the world.

3. Are you secretly semi-jealous of other writers? Perhaps this is the biggest clue of all. Nothing stabs you in the gut like seeing someone else do what you, too, are supposed to be doing. My only advice, get in place! The world needs you! More specifically, the body of Christ needs you to help us all mature (Ephesians 4:12-16).

I’d love to hear your thoughts – how did you know you were meant to do a certain thing? And if you’re a writer, what can you add to this list of signs that you were born to write?