It’s been such a blessing to be an Our Daily Bread devotional author! I’m sharing a few reflections in this post and in Episode 64 of the Abounding Faith for Today podcast episode that you can listen to wherever you listen to podcasts. I’ll be sharing even more thoughts and reflections from this BREAKTHROUGH year in next week’s post.
Back when I won Our Daily Bread‘s Online Writing Contest for Readers, I took that as confirmation that I was on the WRITE track.
I felt drawn to write for the little devotional that my Mom used to bring home while she was in seminary and that I’d seen in my church’s lobby and had given out during evangelistic outreaches.
I’m not sure why but I was drawn to the blend of Bible stories and life application. I really liked how compact they are. The devotional booklets can easily fit in your purse or backpack so you can read it wherever you go. You can now also read it on Our Daily Bread Ministries’ website, app and listen to it on their podcast.
I had no idea that it would take TEN YEARS after winning the writing contest for my devotional articles to start appearing in the ODB devotional.
God knew this was my BREAKTHROUGH year for this particular God-given dream.
Here are some thoughts and reflections from having my first ten (now eleven) articles run in ODB:
It was super special for my very first article to be about my Mom and my family’s salvation story. It was extra special that it was the article that ran on Mother’s Day. Only God could do that!
Some of my favorite articles are when I get to share a memory about my Dear Dad or memories from my short-term missions trips.
It’s also nice when I’m watching the news or reading an article and I get inspired to connect that story with Scripture.
Writing so tight and succinctly for the devotional is an art form. You’d be surprised how challenging it can be. I’ve been surprised.
Writing a book or long article is challenging, but writing a short devotional also has it’s challenges. It’s like putting together a puzzle. What joy when all the pieces fit together!
I LOVE that the Our Daily Bread devotional is translated into 50+ languages. These devotional articles go further and faster than I ever could. It’s such a delight to hear the devotionals read in Spanish and other languages.
It’s been a blessing to get to meet (virtually) many of my fellow Our Daily Bread authors and to work with my editors. I’m so grateful to be part of the team.
It makes me smile when I see the ODB devotional around town. It’s even sweeter now that I’m one of the authors. I recently saw the booklets being used to save seats at my home church. That’s a common sight there.
It’s been nice to hear from readers. I’m so touched to hear that they’re being blessed by my articles (I’ve included a few notes below).
So far, I’ve heard from readers in at least 10 states and 1 other country (I’ve listed them below). It’s also lovely to hear from ODB Ambassadors who give out the ODB booklets in their neighborhood.
I’m so grateful that God has Created, Called and Chosen me for this assignment for such a time as this.
As I’ve shared in the past, after God called me out of my journalism career my writing went into hiding for YEARS! I didn’t think I’d ever write publicly again.
But God had a plot twist for me.
This writing breakthrough has been years in the making, but I’m honored to be in this season now.
I pray you’re encouraged by my devotional articles.
I also pray and am grateful to God for continuing to inspire me with words to write.
If you’ve missed any of my articles, you can find them all here.
Thanks for your prayers and support!
To God be the Glory!
Be encouraged. God-given dreams do come true!
If you’re an ODB devotional reader, please let me know on Abounding Faith’s social media.
So far, I’ve heard from ODB Readers in the following states and country:
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- New York
- Texas
- Washington
If you don’t see your state or country represented, please feel free to let me know where you’re reading ODB from.
Many blessings!
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In this episode I’m talking about Bible Beauties. I write about 6 Bible Beauties in God-Given Dreams.