Encouraged in the Lord by Glynis M. Belec

When I would write my weekly column in the Drayton Community News, one of the highest forms of encouragement for me was when someone would come up to me on the street, at church or in the store and say, "I really could relate to your column this week" or "I totally understand where you are coming from" or "Thanks for making me feel like I am not alone."

I wrote a weekly humorous, slice of life editorial, that often focused on my family, for over eleven wonderful years. Admittedly, my original motivation for my writing was to be published and earn a little bit of cash in the process. But I soon discovered, that God was prodding me in some interesting directions. I was a babe in the Word. A new believer. A Jesus girl.

As I look back now I see an interesting pattern. I had given my heart to the Lord and in return he had unleashed my gift. Before I knew it I was sharing my heart and words through the Community News and as a sideline, others were being encouraged and because they were being encouraged, so was I. It was a beautiful cycle orchestrated by God. I miss writing that column, but I know it was a beginning and a base for something greater. I gained experience and confidence. People began to see me as a writer and their expectation from my column was to laugh with me about life's foibles to be encouraged and inspired. Life was good.

When I stop to ponder today what I would like readers to get out of my writing, my thoughts have not changed. I love it when someone remarks about how they were encouraged by my words. I especially love it when they intimate the blessings of God.

My latest children's book, Mrs. B Has Cancer , is the new kid on the block and when I get feedback from children about something specific in the book, I am head over heels grateful to God for prodding me into action and getting that done. Again, with this book, I want children to be encouraged and find hope.

The original prompt (quote by Frederick Buechner) "I wish that I had told my writing students to give some thought to what they wanted their books to make happen inside the people who read them" is a great statement to put before the mind's eye of every writer.

We, ultimately, have no control over the response of our readers, but what a wonderful discovery it is realizing God not only blessed me, as a writer, with a passion to express myself in such a way, He also dished out a double blessing when a reader of my words says, 'Thank you. [That] touched my heart!' Now THAT's encouragement that spurs me into action. Thanks be to God!