Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Religion Columnist
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…” Ephesians 2:10
Recently, a friend of mine wrote a column about what it is like to grow older. None of us had any idea what today would be like 30 years ago. This is the same friend who gave me a beginning in writing for the newspaper 24 years ago. It started with a looking back column and soon evolved into history articles and eventually stories for New Mexico magazine. He is the one who helped spark an interest to write a history book about Tucumcari and become a research consultant.
In 1993, I started writing a religion column for an editor who surprised me with her acceptance of the project. She gave me the glorious title of religion editor which actually meant I was the one who went to the various churches in search of articles for the page. It also meant I was the one to type those stories and prepare the layout of the religion page. Looking back I cringe when I think how unprofessional those pages looked compared to our paper today. However she gave me the chance to learn not only layout, but better grammar and writing skills. It was that project that paved the way to my second book, a devotional based on hundreds of columns. It was difficult to eliminate some to come up with a devotion a day.
The book chronicled the ups and downs of my life including death of loved ones, health concerns, and numerous personal issues. I was once asked how I could share such personal details. If what I write helps just one person, it is all worth it and I give all the glory to God for making it possible.
I write all of this to encourage others to follow their dreams by taking the first step to make it possible. All my life I had a passion for research and writing, but it took years before I had the courage to take that first step. The results of those early efforts are far from professional compared to what is expected today, but it was a start.
God gives all of us abilities and desires to do things to bring glory to Him. In Psalm 37:4 it says, “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart”. While the Lord knows I have many interests, He knows the things that give me great joy and satisfaction that brings glory to Him. It is a bit like an old saying that tells us to “do what floats your boat”.
When we were young I never realized I could turn a desire into something to glorify God. In Matthew 7:11 the question is asked “…how much more share your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” What desires are in your heart that will glorify God? Luke 1:37 tells us: “For with God nothing shall be impossible”. Take the seemingly impossible and make it possible with help from God.
Debra Whittington is a longtime resident of Tucumcari. Contact her at:
