Congratulations on securing a speaking engagement! Now it’s time to think about your audience. The following suggestions will help you connect with the individuals who need to hear your message. Get to know your audience prior to the event. Are you speaking to just...
Michelle Marie Hernandez
[Blog Category]
Michelle Marie Hernandez
Michelle Marie Hernandez
The Break that Prepares Writers to Write Well
Writers write all the time, right? No, not all the time. Good writers occasionally put down their pens and step away from their computers. We take breaks to eat, sleep, work—and attend writing conferences. Although conferences draw us away from our writing for a...
Understanding the Purpose of Our Pain
Sometimes God reveals the purpose of our pain in what seems to us like expected places. However, those places are not surprises to God. He in fact directs us to certain locations at specific times because He knows where we have been. Although I recently planned a...
Helping Hospitalized Patients and Their Families
Until last month, I had never stayed overnight in a hospital. I had spent plenty of time in hospitals both as an outpatient and as an employee. Staying with a loved one who was recently admitted to a hospital more than 25 miles from their home gave me new insight on...
Giving Thanks for the Treasure of a Teacher
I recently attended a retirement celebration in honor of one of my favorite teachers from middle school. What this man taught me in a Czech language class affected my path in life in ways I never imagined. Along this journey, I have come to understand who I am and...
Tending to Our Spirit During Sickness
A chronic, life-threatening, or major illness affects our soul and spirit as well as our physical body. We may experience a myriad of emotions, struggle to make the right decisions, and think more about what the future holds. Tending to the health of each part of us...
Remembering the Fight for Freedom
Observing special days can remind us of what has happened in the past, as well as guide our efforts now and in the future. On Memorial Day, we remember the men and women who have died while serving in our country’s armed forces. Reflecting on how they bravely fought...
Seeing God and Others for Who They Are
We often form opinions based on what we hear. Unfortunately, what we hear is not always true. Our opinions or judgments, whether right or wrong, still influence our behavior—but all of that can change. I shied away from police officers in my early years, because I had...
Mothering by Mentoring
We can all appreciate the maternal affection seen early in little girls who love to dress and cuddle their dolls. Many of these girls long to have a baby of their own someday. Once grown, they can fortunately still satisfy the urge to care for someone special—even if...
Shattering Lies with Simple Yet Powerful Words
A nudge can tip over a glass object and cause it to shatter into pieces—simple yet powerful words can do the same thing to lies. This is what happened recently when a friend texted me while I was undergoing a spiritual battle. His words, “You do matter,” broke the lie...
