When Lisa D. Putnam first sent me her devotional manuscript, Day and Night Let Incense Rise: A 52-Weekly AM/PM Devotional to Lift Your Heart, I knew within minutes that I was reading the work of a seasoned writer. Her prose carried a quiet strength—lyrical without drifting, poetic without losing clarity, gentle yet honest enough to challenge you in the best way. Some writers come to the page trying to find their voice. Lisa arrived with hers fully formed.
Working with her reminded me why I love this work. Every week of her devotional invites readers to begin and end their day with intention. Morning pages offer a fresh start; evening reflections help settle the heart. I love how naturally she weaves her own story into some of the lessons. It’s never self-centered. It’s never performative. Instead, she shares just enough of her journey to remind readers that they’re not alone—that faith grows strongest when we walk it out in real life, through real struggle.
What made this project special was the posture behind it. Lisa doesn’t write to impress. She writes to serve. Editing her devotional wasn’t about shaping her voice; it was about bringing out the brilliance already there. My role became one of companionship: helping smooth transitions, guarding clarity, strengthening structure, and ensuring each week flowed with the same heart-filled encouragement.
And as we completed the project, one truth kept coming back to me:
Great devotional writing doesn’t come from the desire to sound spiritual. It comes from a life that has been shaped by God’s presence—morning, night, and every moment in between.
If you’re a writer who hopes to share encouragement with others, Lisa’s journey is a reminder that your voice matters. Your experiences matter. And when you pair honest storytelling with biblical truth, readers feel seen. They feel invited. They feel lifted.
I’m honored to have played a small part in bringing this beautiful devotional into the world.
You can explore Lisa’s devotional here:
Day and Night: A 52-Weekly AM/PM Devotional to Lift Your Heart
