Pause: The Power of Punch
For years, I found success as a grant writer, which would have surprised many of my public school English teachers. God bless each sweet individual!
Over time, people have repeatedly asked me, “What’s the secret sauce? How did you manage to write proposals that brought in millions of dollars?” First, it was absolutely the favor of God!
Next, with His wisdom, I’m about to share the one word that made all the difference in creating award-winning proposals. When applied correctly, it can transform more than just writing, it can change our lives.
Ready for the game changer? Here it is:
P - U - N - C - T - U - A - T - I - O - N
Yes, punctuation!
Successful grant winners don’t just skim through instructions, they pause after every comma and period examining, “What am I being asked to do here?” Commas and periods help clarify what’s needed to secure funding.
But here’s the real truth: commas and periods are far more important in life than any grant money. They help offer clarity and guide our actions. Let’s jump into one short passage to see the benefits of punctuation. You’ll love it!
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) says, Tell God what you need, [comma] and thank Him for all He has done. [period] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. [period] Brackets added for emphasis.
It starts out saying, tell Him, ask for what you need. We are instructed to ask for what we need more than 20 times in the New Testament.
Then there is a comma saying there’s something else important right there to pay attention to. Commas aren’t just punctuation; they’re invitations for reflection.
The period creates a pause. Pauses are meant to help us adjust our focus. They offer an opportunity to help us respond or redirect our responses more thoughtfully and intentionally.
Call to Action
Talk to God - Share about something you need.
Thank Him - After asking, be grateful for something this week, month, or year.
Experience Peace - We ask. We are thankful. Then, we receive peace.
today’s radiant insight:
Punctuation is a divine invitation to pause, reflect, and respond.