Theresa Silva had no idea how her words would impact me, an impressionable sixth grader. The substitute teacher had assigned the usual What I Did over Summer Vacation assignment, and I’d written about visiting my grandmother in South Carolina. I used words like tilled and harvested in my composition.
When she returned our assignments, mine had an A at the bottom. In perfect penmanship, she’d written, I like your use of unusual verbs. You’re going to be a great writer someday.
Mrs. Silva was the first person to recognize my fledgling writing ability and affirm it. Today, forty years later, I still remember the flush of pleasure I felt when I read her compliment.
As I penned the Acknowledgments section of my first book, I recalled her words. I need to thank her, I thought. I did a search on Facebook and Whitepages.com, but couldn’t find a profile or a listing. Maybe she’d moved away or lived in a nursing home by now.
Last summer I returned to my hometown of Bristol, Rhode Island. I brought copies of my second book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time to share with my family. I told them the story of my sixth grade substitute teacher’s empowering words and how I’d unsuccessfully tried to find her.
“What was her name?” asked my cousin, who had recently retired from teaching herself. When I told her, her eyes grew wide and her mouth popped open. “Theresa Silva? She’s one of my best friends!”
She pulled out her phone, and with a few clicks, had set up a time for me to visit Mrs. Silva the following day.
When she opened the door, I saw that the years had been kind to her. Her curly hair was lighter, but the same kind eyes smiled at me from behind her round glasses.
I told her the story of my publishing journey and ended by quoting the words she’d written at the bottom of my paper.
“You probably don’t remember that,” I said, “but I’ve never forgotten it. God used your words to help me recognize the calling He’s placed on my life.”
I placed a copy of my book in her hands and gave her a hug.
“Thank you.”
She ran a hand over the cover and flipped open the book to the table of contents. Then she raised her eyes. A tear leaked out of the corner of one, but she didn’t seem to notice.
“I retired four years ago,” she said softly. “I always wondered if anything I did made a difference.”
Last month I mailed her a copy of my latest book, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible. I received a note back. Her handwriting is still lovely, and she again used her words to encourage and inspire me.
Please continue to let your special gift of spiritual discovery and writing unfold. I’m looking forward to your next work.
As I felt the familiar flush of pleasure, I realized anew the timeless power of encouragement.
Perhaps my story has stirred up a memory or two. Who was the first person to recognize your writing potential? Who affirmed your gift? Was it a teacher? A parent? A mentor? A writing coach? Have you ever thanked them? If you did, what happened? I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment below and share your story.
And if you haven’t reached out yet, perhaps the next piece of writing you should do is a good old-fashioned thank you note.
Who knows how the Lord might use your words to encourage someone else?
TWEETABLE
Lori Hatcher loves to teach, train, and encourage writers by sharing what others have generously shared with her. She’s the author of several devotional books including Refresh Your Faith – Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible and Hungry for God … Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women , the 2016 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year. The editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine, she’s also a blogger, writing instructor, and inspirational speaker. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time . Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).
A beautiful story, Lori. My “push” also came from a substitute teacher in my tenth grade history class. Unfortunately, I don’t remember her name, but she recommended me for our creative writing class on the basis of a chapter synopsis I turned in.
ReplyDeleteOh, Susan, where would we be without the precious teachers who poured into our lives and spoke words of vision? I suspect substitute teachers, especially, wonder if they accomplish anything. We know they do!
DeleteThank you for this heartwarming, and encouraging, post Ms. Lori. While I wrote long before my adoption, I kept my words hidden away to avoid ridicule, destruction of my work, and punishment from my biological family members. It took a few years of love and encouragement, but I remember (other than a few English teachers) that my adopted mom was the first person who called my writing a gift, and encouraged me to write. I remember her telling me "When you write, you show what is in your heart. You must always remember to let God control your heart, and let your heart guide your writing." I try and hold myself to that promise each day. God's blessings ma'am.
ReplyDeleteYour precious momma was a wise woman, J.D. I'm so glad you continue to listen to her sage advice. We are all blessed when you obey her :) Write on, friend!
DeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story about the power of encouragement and Theresa Silva. I rejoice that you were able to get back in touch with her. For my writing it was a high school English teacher David Smith. I tried reached out to him years ago but I was too late--he had already passed away. Don't wait like I did.
Terry
author of 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed
Thank you, Terry, for helping us all realize that the time to speak words of thanks and affirmation is NOW, not someday . . .
DeleteThank you for sharing that story, Lori. The person who encouraged my gift of writing also was a sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Etchison. Though she didn't hand out compliments very often, when she smiled and said, "Who said sixth graders can't write..." while she looked at me after I read aloud something I wrote--well, that lit a fire that's been burning brightly.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh! I LOVE THAT, Roberta. Burn on, friend!
DeleteI remember a young writer whose sense of story was amazing As I read her submission, she had to work on all areas of writing, but the end of her story came so far out in left field, I never saw it coming. I told her that first. Then I told her there was a lot she needed to learn but she was a natural born storyteller. Then she told me I was the first person to ever read her work. To be able to encourage someone like that is the most fulfilling part of this gig.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Ane, being able to pour encouragement, speak vision, and affirm people's writing gifts is one of the nicest perks of the writing life. I suspect this is why I love love love teaching at writers conferences (or even just attending them). They are ripe with opportunities to affirm what someone may not be able to see in themselves. Blessings to you this good day!
DeleteIt’s wonderful that you blessed that teacher with you book.
ReplyDeleteIt made me happy to be able to give a very small token of my thanks in light of the great gift she had given me. It's also been so fun to reconnect after all these years. Blessings on your writing, Sherri.
DeleteLori, I loved her response as well. Not just as a writer but as an educator trying to love and encourage and teach the Gospel, I also wonder, has anything I've done ever made a difference. God bless you for those words, so many of us struggle with, did I ever make a difference. Donevy
ReplyDeleteDonevy, I wonder that, too. I take great comfort in God's promise that His word will never return voice, but will always accomplish the purpose for which He intends it. As long as we keep sharing His word, God will continue to work through us. What a comfort and joy!
DeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful story! When I was in the 4th grade I wrote my first poem in rhythm and rhyme. It came very easily to me and I thought everyone could write that way. I got an A for my poem with a verbal prophecy: "Crystal, someday you are going to be a poet." Thirty years later I published my first book -- a collection of humorous poems for children.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh! I LOVE this!! God bless that teacher who saw your gift and affirmed it. Write on, friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteThank you, JPC. Blessings to you for joining us today :)
DeleteMy mom was a cheerleader kind of encourager. “Of course you can. You’re a wonderful writer. Go for it.” She encouraged me to write and raved over greeting card messages I sent to her. Sometimes now, five years after she went to heaven, I wear one of her rings when I write. Recently, I had the honor of encouraging a new writer. Thank you, Lori, for a beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Jeannie, sometimes we tend to disregard our mother's words, assuming that they say what they do because they're our mothers and they just want to encourage us. My Mom encouraged me in my writing, too, but I never remember her encouraging me to be a math teacher or an Olympic diver. I suspect she had a pretty good understanding of where my talents did (or didn't) lie :) Write on, friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blessing! I pray God will give me the words He wants to share. I pray my writing will touch the hearts of people and lead them closer to God.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful story, Lori!! A tear or two might've leaked out of the corners of my eyes while reading! Bless you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday school teacher was the first to tell me my devotions were the best she had read. That was two weeks ago when I got up enough courage to send her the devotions I had written about my life and how God had helped me in different ways.
ReplyDeleteI will send her a note of thanks as soon as I get some stamps.
Thank you, Lori Hatcher!
How wonderful it is that not only did your teacher encourage you as a child, you were able to encourage her, decades later! I love that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI had the SAME sort of teacher in 11th grade, but I was never able to track her down. Regardless, she made the exact type of impression on me ... and ... I have been a writer ever since.
ReplyDelete