Written by Valerie Riese
I have been the PEN Tips blog coordinator since October 2021. I’m a little embarrassed to say this is my first contribution to the blog, but today my work waits while I share my heart with an important message everyone in Christian Editors Association needs to hear.
I love my role as the blog coordinator. It’s fun, and I am treated well. The entire CEA team is supportive, gracious, and a joy to work with. In addition to continued thanks from the directors, lately I’ve been getting a lot of gratitude from the PEN Tips writers as well. I sincerely appreciate it, just as I am grateful for everyone who contributes to the PEN Tips blog.
Without our contributors, there would be no blog. Thank you for sharing your time and experience and expertise. You help make CEA a wonderful place for new and experienced editors. I pray you are rewarded by the comments of your readers and the bit of exposure the blog provides.
Today, I write to exalt the humble servant behind the PEN Tips blog. She gives of her time and talent in secret, but her Father sees (Matthew 6:3–4), and I see.
Terri Poss has a gift, and she uses it to serve CEA as the proofreader for the PEN Tips blog. When I receive a new blog post, I immediately forward it to Terri. As a good steward, she returns the post promptly, always graced by pleasantries wishing me well (1 Peter 4:10).
The PEN Tips blog represents CEA to the world. Because of Terri, when people find our blog, they see professionalism, virtue, and excellence. What they don’t see is the faithful, humble servant who makes it all come together.
Thank you for your support, Terri. Thank you for teaching me what it means to work heartily as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23). And thank you for teaching me how to serve the Lord Christ as an editor (Colossians 3:24).
Valerie a best-selling author and storyteller specializing in content aligned with a traditional biblical worldview. As sole proprietor of Faithful Pen Content Services, she provides writing, editing, grant writing, and other web and print publishing services for ministries and nonprofit organizations, as well as publishing agencies and indie authors. Her promise is to always preserve the author’s voice and message as she walks in her calling to use her words for Jesus.
Thank you Valerie and Terri for all you do to make the blog run smoothly. Your comments are a good reminder that our clients are not just an income stream, they also are fellow creations of God. As such they should be recipients of our gracious words and encouragement, not just our red pen. Thank you.
Thank you for being there. There’s so much behind the scenes that most of us don’t realize it.