Today I have the privilege of encouraging several hundred aspiring writers and speakers at the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference in Concord, North Carolina. As I was preparing my keynote message for the writers today, God inspired me to drill down I Corinthians 13 to the practical.

You may not be an aspiring writer, but anytime we can personalize scripture it helps move the Truth from our head to our heart. Here are the words I shared today. I encourage you to personalize it in whatever way would make applicable to you:

I Corinthians 13 For Writers

If I write 3000 words a day, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another person who thinks she has something to say.

If I dedicate my book to my children, write to pay for their college, and have 10,000 followers on Twitter, but do not show love to my family, my words are empty.

If I write for the church newsletter, have one of my devotionals published and give all that I have to leading women to God, but do not show love to my family, it does me no good.

Love steps away from the computer when the husband comes home. Love stops the writing to watch the 10-year-old show off her new gymnastics skill. Love listens to the neighbor even when a writing deadline looms.

Love is patient and kind. It does not envy other writers who make the bestsellers list.

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres even through dozens of rejection letters.

Love never fails. As for printed words, they will pass away.  Where there are blogs, they will someday become silent. Where there are contracts, those too will cease to exist.

And while stories must be told, they first must be lived. There is faith. There is hope.  And with Jesus in the center, there is love. May I never forget, the greatest impact I can make is with love.