I’m thrilled to be a part of the Write 2 Ignite Conference where we’ll breathe out God’s breath together. Music has always been a part of my life. I grew up on the second row of a small family church, under the watchful eye of my mother from the organ bench. Barely into my teens, I was placed in a rotation to assist in leading music and ultimately took the position of church pianist. I was not a prodigy. However, I was surrounded by supportive adults with enough wisdom to allow a wrong-note-playing teenager to glorify God with all she had. No matter how small, He could multiply the offering.
I never wanted to be writer. In fact, all I ever wanted to be was a Mama. Once my babies were born, I began writing children’s books and then devotions…because they were short and I liked being finished before naptime was over. I soon realized the craft and skill involved made short projects more challenging than I thought. Craving to know more, I submitted a request for a scholarship to a writer’s conference and won. The first affirmation of this path in my life’s atlas.
Several years later, sitting on the front row of funeral home, waiting to sing for someone I had never met, a rush of details for a novel piled into my mind. Details and lots of other thoughts. A novel? I don’t wanna write a novel! That will take forever!
That day, I signed up for a novelist retreat and began writing The Funeral Singer. Although it hasn’t found a home with a publisher, God once again showed me He would multiply the offering.
The longer I walk with God, the more I realize it’s about the offering of the heart. When we write, sing, work, run, etc. with a heart to please Him, He alone can multiply that offering.
I’m thrilled to be with you at the Write 2 Ignite Conference leading in song so we can give our offering and watch God work.
What a beautiful testimony, Janet. While I’ll not be able to attend this year’s conference, I’ll be praying for you all. May the Lord continue to bless the music and words that flow from you.
I’m so glad the Lord has brought you (and your gifts) to Write2Ignite! 2016. Blessings on you.