I’ve been writing professionally for over twenty years—fiction, young adult, non-fiction, magazines—but this was the first time I’d written devotions. I occasionally created them for myself when I was studying the Bible, but none for publication. That’s why I was delighted to be asked to contribute to Mornings with Jesus. I thoroughly enjoyed digging deeper in the Word and writing so personally from my heart.
I like the length of devotions, as a writer and a reader. Condensing meaningful thoughts and messages into a piece that’s only a page long forces a writer to get to the nitty-gritty, to the heart. I also like that personal message I’m conveying, speaking to others about what God has shown me. When I sit down to write, it feels as if I were doing my own personal Bible study, which was so helpful in my Christian growth.
And it made me realize, because God is everywhere, always connected to my heart, why wouldn’t He also be connected to my mind and my hand as it moved a pen. It was lovely to think about Him in that way, wanting to convey what He wanted me to say.
I was also very happy when I was writing these devotions. I felt we were in conversation—I asked questions and He responded through the Holy Spirit.
I appreciate the value of my quiet time more fully now since I became a Mornings with Jesus contributor. I enjoy silent retreats where I can spend a day or two quieting myself, reading and praying. I often use books about Christ to deepen my knowledge and my faith.
Writing devotions was particularly special because I could share my own experiences with Christ so that others might be blessed by them as well.
