Buchanan Dam woman lifts up others through international publication
BUCHANAN DAM — While many writers hope their words reach a few people, Susan Scott’s have touched the lives of readers from around the world in 38 different languages.
Not bad for a piece that’s about 160 words in length. But effectiveness is in the message, not the word count.
Scott, a member of Highland Lakes United Methodist Church, penned a devotional for the Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide. The piece, called “Something to Pray For,” was published in the November/December 2012 edition.
“It’s been an amazing experience,” Scott said. “I didn’t believe the impact was going to be as great as it has become.”
Scott and her husband, James, regularly include the Upper Room publication in their daily devotionals. Last summer, Scott thought she could write one.
“I felt led to do this,” she said. “I wrote out three and submitted them.”
The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide editors contacted her and informed her that the magazine was going to use her “Something to Pray For” piece.
As a person who practices prayer on a regular basis, Scott said she knows its importance and impact both on her life and the lives of others. This particular devotion directs readers to look at how they can help others.
“I feel the need to pray for myself, but sometimes I feel I can be the answer to somebody else’s prayer,” Scott said.
Along with being included in the printed edition, Scott’s devotion is included on the Upper Room’s website, www.devotional.upperroom.org. While she might never have received feedback from people using her devotional through the magazine, Scott has read comments posted on the Upper Room website in regard to her work.
“It was overwhelming to read how my devotional has effected people,” she said. “It made me cry reading the comments. In some small way, having an impact on somebody else was very positive and uplifting for me. I feel humbled that God used me to help others in this way. This was God-inspired.”
daniel@thepicayune.com