You’re Making Glory Dust

It’s been an interesting year for me. On December 28, 2024, I fell and broke my left humerus. After surgery, with a 9-inch rod and six screws installed, I began my road to recovery. Months into physical therapy to prevent a frozen shoulder, I developed another health issue that occasionally knocked me down as well. I was beginning to think I was worthless because I couldn’t do as much as I used to for the Lord.

As I was dressing the other morning, the 1994 Newsboys’ song, Shine, came on. The refrain kept reverberating in my spirit:

Shine
Make ’em wonder what you’ve got
Make ’em wish they were not
On the outside, looking bored.
Shine
Let it shine before all men
Let ’em see good works and then
Let ’em glorify the Lord

I heard, “Glory dust” in my spirit. Immediately, I saw smiles and kind gestures, like giving up your place in line. I shared this with a friend, and she said, “If you don’t write a poem about that, I will!” And so I did…

Glory Dust

The world tells me who to trust.
Religion tells me what I must.
My body whispers I should lust.
My soul replies, “I am a bust.”
My mind insists, “Don’t be fussed.”
My heart feels hope, though often crushed.
My will declares, “You must adjust.”
Then suddenly—there came a thrust:
His Spirit said, “You’re making glory dust.
Each smile, each wave, a spark of light,
A gift of love that warms the night.
I watched you bend to lift the litter,
And leave behind My holy glitter.
You yielded kindly, gave your place in line—
A quiet act that made Me shine.
You wrapped the cold with shoes and shirts,
And helped to heal another’s hurts.
The smallest deeds exalt My name;
From tiny embers rises flame.”

We don’t have to do BIG things for the Lord to bring Him glory. He sees the small things, and they make Him smile. So, spread a little glory dust today.

Where Did Me Go?

Where Did Me Go? New devotional from Mary Puplava
Where Did Me Go? A One-Year Devotional to Rediscover You

I am very excited to share my new book, “Where Did Me Go? A One-Year Devotional to Rediscover You” available now through my publisher, Messenger Books.

We all know “life happens,” and we get busy serving others, whether family or career and dreams just seem to fade. I retired after serving twenty-two years only to move, marry my three sons off, and enjoy my first of six grandchildren. Retirement only lasted five years. I was called back to duty and worked another six years. I began NanaLoveNotes to reach more women, but that too faded with responsibilities.

The “shut-in” during the 2020 Covid pandemic reignited that flame inside me. I began praying more, joined a daily prayer call for the church and nation, and researched other passionate ministries on YouTube. A living, active faith began to surge in me once again. It was the daily prayer call that focused on each of the fifty states between Passover and Pentecost that jolted me once again to write. I was praying for Maryland that fateful May 7th, 2022 day. Something exploded in me, and I heard myself say, “No more hiding. I’m going to live my faith out loud.” I began publishing my “Today I prayed about…” on social media. I didn’t care about likes, hearts, or comments. I just wanted my prayer out there!

One thing led to another — a word from the Lord, diligent time spent with Him, a writer’s workshop, and finally, my commitment to write and publish this book. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to write to women over forty. I’ll soon be seventy-four, but how well I remember the last three decades, what they cost me, and yes, how they blessed me.

You might wonder about the title…

I was getting dressed one morning. With my hair a mess and no makeup, I looked in the mirror and said, “Where did me go?” I’m sure many can identify with that. My journey with the Lord has helped me rediscover the daughter He loves. It’s not so much what I do anymore. It’s who I am in Him and from that place who I can be for my world. My prayer is that you, too, find your place in Him.