Working Words

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands,” Psalm 90:17.

Can God’s favor really rest on us as we work? Now that’s a big thought, isn’t it? Yes, it can!

Every morning before I start my day, I ask God to help me write or speak or help others write or to do whatever my day holds. This is what we should do, but do we do it? I admit that sometimes I forget, but I never want to take it for granted or think that my skills and abilities are enough. I need Him to establish the work of my hands. I need His favor.

But what does that look like? For me, it’s the knowledge that I’m on the right track with what He wants me to say, do, or write. It’s feeling His favor as I write a scene that comes to life on the page or develop a character that seems so real that I become “friends” with him or her. It’s finding that perfect word that describes something or solving a long-standing glitch in a storyline. It is knowing that the Facebook posts or Tweets or the words I speak over lunch with a friend are timely and will be a blessing. It’s even finding a craft book or blog that helps me learn something new. The truth is, I simply can’t do all this on my own; I need His favor.

I love working with words, but I love working with God who gives me those words even more. For me, it’s like co-authoring or collaborating with the Perfect Author, and it’s what gets me up every morning to plod away at my computer for hours on end. And at the end of the day, it’s a blessing to know I’ve spent my time in the favor of God and that He has established the work of my hands.

And you? Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a business owner, a waitress, an executive, or a check-out clerk, He desires to establish the work of your hands so that you feel the joy of His favor. There’s nothing like it!

How do you feel His favor as you work? I’d love to know!