I am my own worst critic. For a little while last year, I was discouraged in my writing and hid myself away from the book marketing world. I was in a slump, and then I wrote in my notebook, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t see the good you do. God sees what you’re doing. Ultimately, this world is fleeting, but God is forever. The reward is in Heaven. If other people don’t take your writing seriously, etc., they’re just not your audience. You know your audience, and they like reading your work.”

Today on Pages Of My Life, Emily Wright shares with us about a special poem she wrote. Share on X

However, it took a little while for me to take my own advice.

A tragedy happened in October 2024. One of my former students (I am a high school English teacher), Ellie Young, was murdered. She had both beauty and brains, and she was a faithful servant of the Lord. This unspeakable event shook our community, leaving everyone to wonder why this happened as our hearts grieved the loss of Ellie’s bright light. Since writing has always helped me process my emotions, I pulled out my laptop a few days after receiving the news. After I pulled up a blank Word Doc, the words poured out, heartache and memories spilling onto the page. The title was a no-brainer: “Beautiful Soul.” I thought about posting it on Facebook, thought against it for fear of seeming prideful. Then, I determined that it was a tribute to Ellie that needed to be shared. I posted it to my Facebook account, feeling a bit more at peace.

The next day was the visitation. My husband and I went to the church, where we waited in line for about two hours. Ellie’s life made a difference to so many people, and it made me realize that we really don’t know how many lives we touch in our lifetime. As my husband and I finally reached the sanctuary, I saw a stack of what I thought were obituary programs. I picked one up, then stared at the small paper in my hand. The title was “Beautiful Soul.” It was my poem. I was speechless. I felt humbled, unworthy, and completely surprised. Her parents chose to use my poem for their daughter.

I learned that it is not up to us how God uses our talents. He will use us in the way He wants. I tried too hard to force words, got frustrated with marketing, stopped writing for a little while. But when I didn’t force it, when I allowed the words to flow, when I did it to honor Ellie’s memory, God used it.

Since then, I’ve begun writing poems and a short story for a collection while still writing my novel Where You Go. I love writing, and it wouldn’t be right to give up now. A line in The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan says, “It is shame you fall down, nobody push you.” I’ve pushed myself down, and it’s time to stand up.

Meet Emily Wright

Known for her page-turner stories and well-developed characters, Emily Wright is a writer of Christian historical fiction. She is the author of the Trials of the Heart series (Trial of Strength, Trial by Fire, and Trial of Courage) and has also been published in The Copperfield Review and The Tennessee Magazine. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and Labrador retriever.