She strolled into my room, plopped into my teacher’s chair, and said, “Hey.”
Carol was a three-year student of mine—a talkative young lady who feared moving on to high school the following year. The security of middle school seemed to comfort her. As the end of her last year in middle school neared, she visited my room almost every morning before the bell rang just to talk. In her mind, she was my favorite student, and her gracing my room made my day. I must admit, we did have some interesting conversations.
One morning, a classmate of Carol’s burst through the doorway as we conversed. “I have some news that’s going to make your day.”
“I’m in here. I’ve already made his day.” But her quip didn’t quell her classmate.
Carol’s classmate divulged the good news. Her aunt lived in Texas and had been reading devotions in a magazine and noticed one tagged with my name. She phoned her sister. “Do you know Martin Wiles?” She told her I taught her daughter. “Well, I’ve been reading his devotions, and we are using them at our church. I’ve also bought one of his books.”
Pride welled within me. And surprise. Someone had discovered my devotions…and read them. The young lady beamed a smile. “See, Dr. Wiles. You are famous.”
I knew better than that, but I did take pleasure in knowing my devotions impacted people. I quickly squelched those prideful thoughts and mentally passed on the praise to God. Isaiah did the same.
Satan loves nothing better than to convince us we’re responsible for our successes. God desires that we have a humble heart. An attitude that recognizes we’re nothing without Him. Apart from His inspiration, my devotions—or anything else I write or do—holds little value. But with God’s guidance, my writing can race across the world, touching the exact people God wants it to encounter.
God authors our gifts and talents. He creates our unique personalities. He brings the two together and then presents us with opportunities to use them for His glory, making the world a better place. He initiates, guides, and finishes the process. Our job entails obeying and trusting.
When good things happen in your life, don’t forget to pass along the praise to God. After all, He engineers the results of all you do.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author who has been published in numerous publications. He also serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net. He is the author of six books. His most recent book, Don’t Just Live...Really Live, was released in November 2021. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of six. He can be contacted at [email protected].