Meet Beverly F Chandler

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Beverly F Chandler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Beverly F, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?

My Dad was a wordsmith. He went to college as a journalism major; not sure exactly how he planned to use his degree. When his life took a different direction, he never lost his aspiration to write – to put thoughts on paper. That’s the Dad I always knew: a good, solid, creative communicator. My childhood bedroom was above his basement office, and I can still hear the clicking of those typewriter keys. I often wondered, “what is he typing?” Little did I know the incredible messages he was putting into words. He continued to write until the final year of his life. Not only that, he communicated effectively with people! He just had a way of connecting with whomever he was talking; before too long into the conversation, it was as if they had known one another for years. Furthermore, he had made a friend for life! Those communication skills were so much a part of who he was, how could I not be influenced to communicate in the same manner!

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

The year 1998 was a challenging year. A wife, mother of three boys and a full-time career, there seemed to be constant personal battles. In my heart I knew my struggles were compounded by a neglect of regular quiet times with God. One evening I finally admitted to myself: I wasn’t near as strong and wise as I imagined – I needed help. At the end of a particularly hard day, I sat down at my desk and began to read God’s Word, meditating on Its message, praying. God would show me something remarkable in those quiet moments. Then I did what seemed so natural – I typed-out those remarkable things, put them into an email, and sent them to a few close friends. I really had no idea how good [or bad] they were written but I knew those friends would read my words. Much like I watched my Dad do for so many years, putting thoughts into words seemed so natural. Suspecting my friends wouldn’t read those emails till the next morning, I casually named my own thoughts “Morning with Beverly.” Those quiet moments with God became a nightly habit as did emailing my thoughts to friends. After a few weeks, something strange and unexpected happened. I began to receive emails from people I didn’t even know, asking me to add them to my “mailing list.” What mailing list? I soon learned my friends were forwarding my nightly writings to others. Subsequently, my friends and others were now depending on my quiet moments with God and words to inspire and encourage them in their own struggles. That was more than twenty-five years ago! A small otherwise insignificant habit of mine became an outlet and opportunity for something much bigger than myself with scope and potential I never imagined. God knew.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

One great joy of ministry for me is being a skilled pianist. The childhood memories of daily practice, weekly lessons and occasional piano recitals – well, I don’t recall them with any fondness. I am, however, so grateful for the sacrifices my parents made during those years when I was the not-so-enthusiastic student! Perhaps they saw potential I failed to see in myself, and they imagined the opportunities for me to use the training in years to come. They were so wise: I began playing at church in my early teens; some five decades later, and I’m still playing. Noah Webster (1828) refers to worship as “paying homage or reference,” and I suggest we all do that in some shape, form or fashion. In the correct spiritual sense, it is exclusively and strictly to The One Who alone is worthy of worship; that’s what we do when we worship in the church setting. Even the most trained and skilled of worship leaders cannot produce worship, however, providing an atmosphere that stills hearts and minds to focus on worship, that is a challenge. Planning for and implementing

Another ministry that presented itself some twenty years ago was as a worship leader. This was yet another area of ministry I never aspired.
Perhaps we are often short-sighted in seeing and believing that we have so little to offer. This foolish idea may come from a small view of ourselves and/or how effective even the smallest of things can change the direction or view of our own life or that of another person. It is, of course, very tempting to embrace ourselves to the unhealthy point that we do not see nor live beyond ourselves – becoming too self-centered. Because I hold to the right concept of who God is as Creator and Sovereign and I enjoy a personal relationship with and [do my best] to follow the teachings of Jesus, I understand God can and does take otherwise small and insignificant things to bring about immeasurably positive results! Yes, small things can and do impact our lives and the lives of others. It can be as simple as a kind word, a tender touch, a moment of patience, a listening ear, a smile – yes, even a late-night email of inspirational words. We don’t have to have some grand plan; no, just a persistence to wisely use the time and gifts we have for the good of others. Never did I imagine nor did I aspire to touch so many lives with my words. God knew.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

There are never too many books, only a shortage of bookshelves! The only thing I would add to that statement is there are plenty of useless books – books that neither make us wiser nor equip us to live a fuller and more joyful life. Oh, I do love a good book; when I close a book, however, I want to know I’ve not wasted my time. Most of my time spent reading is to gain knowledge and wisdom, wisdom to be applied to life and worthy to be shared with others. My teaching ministry is based on one book: The Holy Bible, a collection of 66 smaller books written over a period of 1,500 years by more than 40 authors, on three different continents and in three different languages. I often hear hear people say this book of ancient writings is irrelevant to modern day but I strongly challenge that belief. In most cases, I find those who question the Bible’s relevancy have failed to put its wisdom to the test. For sure, I’ve read The Bible all my life but until I began to put into practice Its wisdom, what I read were just words on a page. Of Itself, the Bible says it is “living and active;” and, when rightly applied to life, It becomes an energetic operative in behavior, decisions, choices, priorities, actions – actually, in all areas of life. The bookshelves in my small office are filled with books written to support and reinforce the Truth of Scripture. Personally, no other book has so greatly influenced my life; it is God’s Word that provides the firm and steadfast foundation of my ministry. God’s words inspires me to be the best I can be. His words inspire my own words!

Contact Info:

• Other: Morning with Beverly Blog … morningwithbeverly.blogspot.com