By Greg Miller © 2017

A Christian writer named Mary had dedicated her writing projects to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary loved First Peter 4:10-11, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

“Jesus gave me the ability to write stories, poems and songs,” Mary told her husband, Moses. “It’s my joy to give the credit to the Lord for anything He directs and allows me to write.”

“I wish I could write like you,” Moses said. “I don’t think I have any talents at all.”

“You’re a very talented guy,” Mary said. “The whole town talks about your work as an electrician. Everywhere I go, people tell me they know God blessed you to do great work as an electrician.”

“I do give Him the glory that I can do that type of work. But I can’t write like you. I can’t draw or paint. And I most certainly don’t have a great singing voice. I can’t even carry a tune in a bucket.”

“You might not have the voice of a professional recording artist yet, but I love to hear you sing,” Mary said. “And I’m sure God is pleased with your voice, too.”

Mary told Moses, “I have an idea. Why don’t you take some voice lessons? You might be able to learn to sing the way you want to sing.”

“I don’t have anything to lose,” Moses chucked. “And, who knows, I might eventually be able to sing in the church choir.”

“That’s right, dear. You might even be able to begin singing solos during the church services.”

“You mean all by myself?”

“That’s what a solo is,” Mary joked, with a smiling face and twinkling eyes.

Moses began and completed a series of voice lessons. Madison, Moses’ voice instructor, was well pleased with his progress. “I plan to write a letter of recommendation to Mark, the church’s music minister,” Madison said. “I’m going to tell him I think you would be a great addition to the choir, and a fantastic soloist, too.”

“Thanks very much, Madison. And I want to tell you something. I have learned that when God gives a talent to you, there’s a good possibility you may have to work on its development. I have come to believe that even the ability to complete the educational process is a major talent all by itself.”

To contact the writer of this column about speaking engagements, including Christian Comedy Fundraising Outreaches, Christian Creativity Seminars and/or puppet ministry, please email [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].

By Greg Miller  2018

 Greg is retired from the Elizabethton STAR Newspaper, after working there for almost 23 years. He now freelances for the paper. Contact email address is [email protected], also facebook.com/kidcool4jesus. Available for speaking engagements/other ministries. Jesus is Lord