Central Houston IWA!

When I sensed the prompting to glorify God through my writing, I wanted to tell someone—but not just anyone. I needed to talk to people who understood and shared this sacred calling. And I found an entire group of them when a friend told me about Inspirational Writers Alive! (IWA!)

I met Martha Rogers, the group’s longtime leader, when I attended my first IWA! meeting in Houston. She welcomed me at once with her joyous smile and kind words. I had no idea then how much Martha’s words would influence my writing journey.

Influential Words

Martha convinced me to join IWA! before I left that initial meeting. The critiques, knowledge, and support she shared over the years helped me grow as a writer. Martha also encouraged me to serve as a leader within the group. She happily guided me when I decided to start a new IWA! chapter in my hometown of Taylor, Texas.

The wisdom in Martha’s words went well beyond my endeavors as a writer. She cared about me as a person. She offered insight from her own experience that helped me as a wife, mother, stepmother, and homeschool teacher. She also showed great compassion for me as I endeavored to carry out my calling despite having chronic health conditions.

Lasting Words

Given Martha’s significant impact on my life, I was very saddened to hear of her passing on April 18, 2023. I had been looking forward to seeing her at the next IWA! workshop just a few weeks later. Although Martha and I had stayed in touch via e-mail, I was always eager to see and chat with her in person.

I initially felt a little anxious about not being able to talk to Martha again. But knowing we will have our next delightful conversation when I also get to heaven calmed and comforted me. So did the blessed memories that Martha’s family and friends shared at her lovely Celebration of Life service.

I realized Martha left us all with lasting words. She communicated these through:

• Books she published, including more than fifty novels and novellas.
• Comments she shared on writing critiques.
• Emails she sent.
• Notes from her presentations.
• Spoken expressions.

Life-Giving Words

God is so good to give us the ability to connect with one another through our words. What is more, He sent Jesus—the Word—to give life now and forevermore to all who believe in Him (John 1:1-4, Romans 10:9). The living Word of God brings direction, healing, hope, purpose, and all that salvation entails (Hebrews 4:12).

As Christian writers, we have the great honor and charge to share these life-giving words. God chose us and our writing as special means to convey the Word and show the world His glory. Our words can be influential, lasting, and life-giving like Martha’s—and they can also live on through our writing.

Our Connecting Words

Below are some ways we as writers can use our words to connect with people. These communications can make a memorable and noteworthy difference in others’ lives.

• Artwork that comes with a message, quote, or title
• Books we publish
• Devotions or poetry we publish or share aloud at events
• E-books that we can economically create and distribute to our audience
• E-mails
• Greeting cards with our own personalized messages
• Handwritten letters
• Journals or notebooks that contain Bible verses or writing prompts
• Memory books with photos and accounts of special times with loved ones

A Legacy of Words

“Treasure for the Heart” was the last book I read that Martha authored. This historical Christian romance mentions various kinds of written words—books, instructions, letters, and poems—that play a key role in the story. Each one points to the true treasure we find in our relationship with God and in our relationships with one another.

I treasure Martha’s words and all the ways in which she shared them. Even the books from Martha’s personal library were given to the guests who attended her Celebration of Life service. What a special way for Martha’s family to honor her legacy of connecting through words. I will always remain grateful for how words connected me to Martha and other writers she inspired to persist in this unique calling.