Finding My Niche

"The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe." - Gustave Flaubert, French novelist

I can remember it happening three times in my life…

To what am I referring? Times when I couldn’t wait to get out of bed and get to work.

The first time was when I was working at a Christian retirement community in Marlton NJ. As Director of Recreation, most of my days were filled with conducting day trips for our more active residents and more sedate activities for those in our assisted living and skilled nursing areas.

However, once a month or so, I would clear my schedule… and dream. On these days, I would seclude myself in my office and make some long-term plans for our residents. Those periodic “dream days” resulted in overnight trips to Hershey PA, Annapolis MD, and Newport RI among other destinations. They also allowed me to plan Olympic-style games for our residents to coincide with the Winter and Summer Olympics.

The second time I had that “can’t wait to get to work” feeling was in January 1994. After serving at the retirement community for almost 11 years, I finally accepted God’s call to enter full-time prison ministry. And so, instead of heading to Marlton, I drove to Moorestown, climbed two flights of stairs to the balcony, and sat behind the lone desk in our office which was lighted by a singular lamp.

And I was happy as a clam!

The third time happened just recently. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I staggered into our kitchen to make some coffee… and then it hit me. I GET TO WRITE TODAY! Now, that realization might not thrill anyone else, but I absolutely, positively love to put my thoughts on paper to bless, challenge, encourage, and educate others.

Sometimes it’s through these daily devotional messages and sometimes it’s through my political blog that looks at current events from a faith-based perspective. Either way, God has allowed me to exercise my gifts for His glory… and I am eternally grateful.

“Then Moses said to the Israelites, “’See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship…’” Exodus 35:30-31 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President