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It was almost four years ago that I began something brand new to me: writing devotionals. Let me explain how that came about.
For a number of years now, I have been the "cat herder" for a group of my classmates from Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon, USA. Several of us live close enough to meet together from time to time. Several others live farther away, but still enjoy being in on our email chit-chat. Occasionally, I include some of my musings and observations along with the general email news. One of our classmates, Rose DeShaw, who lives in Canada, noted my interest in putting my thoughts into writing.
Rose is a long-time contributor to the PresbyCan Daily Devotional. One day, she told me about this publication and suggested that I try my hand (computer, rather!) at writing a devotional myself. As a newbie, I tentatively submitted my first devotional, and I haven't looked back since.
Recently, I remarked to a friend that writing PresbyCan devotionals has caused me to look at life differently. She asked me to explain what I meant by that, so I replied:
- I can think of a couple of different ways that writing devotionals has affected me.
1. I find myself watching for little life lessons in everyday life. There are plenty of illustrations of God's work in our life — examples to follow, pitfalls to avoid, things to encourage us, etc., all around. I think that now I just have sharper eyes to be watching for things to write about.
2. It has been a great discipline for me to try to clearly write down these thoughts and observations — in 500 words or less! I'll often be sitting in a coffee shop mulling over an idea that has come to mind, and I'll jot down descriptive phrases and expressive words on a napkin to look over again when I get home. I often start a devotional and have a rough draft sitting on my computer for several days. I then come back to it several more times to add to it or polish some phrasing before finally submitting it.
So, I consider this to be a double-blessing affair. If my writing blesses and encourages other people, it has already done the same for me as well!
Yes, writing about God and His works and ways — and the sweetness of His Word — is my way of passing on my blessings to other people.
Psalm 119:103 – How sweet is Your Word to my taste! It is sweeter than honey to my mouth! (NLV)
How has God blessed you? Even thinking about writing down His blessings will cause you to see God at work all around you, as it has done for me. You may soon have a story or thoughts to pass on to other people. You can click on this link to learn how you can submit a devotional yourself!
Prayer: O Lord, You have blessed us so abundantly. Thank You for the avenue of writing devotionals into which You have led so many, allowing us to share their blessings with others. May many others be prompted to do so as well. Amen.
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Thank you for the devotional. I read one every day.
Thanks for sharing, Gail. Keep up the good writing.
I’m glad you started writing Gail!
Blessings.
And so it is as you have said Gail! Forward we go with blessings of The Almighty.
How has God blessed me? An important question that I answer everyday – good health for a senior, senior and a growing united family.
Thank you for sharing your gift of writing these devotionals. Blessings.
They help in May ways. I appreciate the prompt to keep diligent to God’s work in my day.
Hi Gail
Thank you for your writings and it is true how we keep an eye for life’s lessons and/or see things differently. Have a blessed day.
So glad Rose reached out to you as I really find your devotionals interesting with a great message, Gail!
Thanks and may God continue to bless you in your important work!
Gail. What you said is so true. Thanks for expressing your thoughts so well and perhaps encouraging some new writers to join in.
Blessings!
I just want to say thank you, for all the effort you put into writing devotionals. Many of us just sit back and enjoy the word and uplifting we get from them and never have to do anything. Thank you for your effort, we really appreciate it.
Hi Gail
I always appreciate the devotions that you write for PresbyCan. I am so thankful for people like you that can write these devotions. Thank you.
(ON, Canada)
Thank you, Gail, for another of your very special writings and expressing how you came about doing devotionals. You do have a special talent of putting your thoughts in writing and the Lord surely wanted you to share that talent with His people. Blessings as you continue to delight us with your writings.
Thanks for sharing your journey, Gail. This paragraph is my experiences as well:
“I find myself watching for little life lessons in everyday life. There are plenty of illustrations of God’s work in our life – examples to follow, pitfalls to avoid, things to encourage us, etc., all around.”
Hi Gail,
Your writing this morning was interesting and another good message about linking our lives with God.
One thing that the devotionals have done for me is to make friends across the miles…and the years. You are among those friends.
Rose DeShaw is one of my favourite writers…actually I have several.
What I love is the personal stories that you all so willing share.
As a leader of a Ladies Bible Study Group, I have always thought about writing devotionals myself. Now I know how. I will pray for the Lord’s guidance.
Thanks again Gail and God Bless you with your writing.
(Ontario)
Good morning, Gail
I read your devotional with interest this morning, your experience is so much like mine. Someone sent me a devotional in 2012, and as I had done some considerable message and Bible discussion writing for my involvement at the local Long-Term Care Centre, I thought I would give it a try. My first devotional was published in 2012. What a blessing it has been to me and so some people write to others. I too see things or remember things, make some notes, then a draft or 3 or 4 etc. etc.
Thank you for your good words this morning.
Good morning, Gail,
You make excellent points for the value of writing devotionals. I appreciate that Rose encouraged you, as you are now encouraging others.
I had not heard of the term “cat herder” so I looked it up.
Herding cats may refer to: An idiom denoting “a futile attempt to control or organize a class of entities which are inherently uncontrollable” – as in the difficulty of attempting to command individual cats into a group (herd).
Well that was an eye opener for me. No idea that you were implying how difficult or futile it was.
I enjoy hearing about the connection among different people who write devotionals and how they are connected.
Thank you for writing devotionals and helping me to learn many new things as well as growing my faith and understanding. Wishing you many new life lessons to pass along. Blessings.
Thank you, Gail, for following God’s call to write this encouraging devotional. Blessings.