Marionette Simmons is using all of her talents to bring glory to God. What started as an annual Mother’s Day poem has led Ms Simmons to become a published author and recording artist. “I’ve been writing poetry since high school. Several years ago, I started creating a Mother’s Day poem and shared it with people every year. Once the word got out that I wrote poetry, people would approach me and ask me to write for funerals and weddings.”Initially just a hobby or casual past time, Ms. Simmons’ writing developed into something much more purposeful.“As I took my journey a little further, I accepted Christ into my personal life and my writing took on a new meaning. It was no longer broad or worldly. It became God centred and God focused. My content was always designed to encourage and inspire people. That is just my character. Saved or unsaved, I want people to feel encouraged. But once I came back to Christ, I knew I had to use this talent for His glory.”“Over time I became bold enough to present my first book, published in 2007 — Life’s Challenges, Experiences and Blessings.”Since the publication of her first book, Ms Simmons continued to write and expanded with a second book God’s Promises for the Family Circle in 2015. “Once you get your feet wet and get off the ground you get bold enough to continue. I received good reviews on my first book, and I decided to just go for it with book number two.”“When I produced God’s Promises for the Family Circle in 2015, I took things to a next level. It was really encouraging to me to know that what I am speaking in my writing is actually inspiring people to dig deep within themselves.”When asked how she finds the time to write the books alongside church life, family life and career life, Ms Simmons put it plainly,“I just don’t stop writing. If I have the opportunity, I write whenever I can. It is my outlet and the way I connect to God.”Another of Ms Simmons talents includes music. She has sung in choirs for most of her life and in January she released her first gospel album entitled This is The Work of the Lord.“I realised that poetry translated quite easily into song writing. Amazingly enough, once I decided to transition into music, God just downloaded the melody into my spirit. The only thing the producer had to do was add the instruments and fine tune it.”“It took some time to come to fruition, but God’s work comes forth when it is due. I released the CD a little over two months ago on January 18. And that has been an incredible experience.”“Interisland Communications and Inspire 105.1 have graciously been playing my album so that the Bermudian community can hear it. It has been received with open arms. I have had people tell me how they have incorporated the album into their daily devotion.”Ms Simmons was raised between the Anglican and Pentecostal churches as a child, attending both St Monica’s Mission and New Testament Church of God. Today she worships at the Open Door Christian Assembly in St David’s.“I’ve been groomed from young and been taught from young about the word of God and thankfully that foundation stuck with me. I accepted Christ when I was very young, probably about 13, and then as we grow up and think we are all of that we go and do our own thing. But in 1996 I came back home and it’s been no turning back.”Ms Simmons shares her advice for any other creative person of faith who desires to be used by God, encouraging them to take the leap of faith and trust God to do the rest. “People become critical of using their talents for multiple reasons. Usually because of comparison. But God has given us all a talent and a gift. Once we craft that gift or have the boldness to present that gift, He will use it to the fullest as long as we are open. I think I have been an open enough vessel for God to pour into.“Being bold enough to do it is the first and essential step. Once you take that step, God will give you the courage to do more. For someone that is fearful, just ask God to give you the boldness to come out of your shell to release what he has given you to bring honour and glory to Him and to also uplift and encourage others.”Ms Simmons is grateful for the support of the local faith community with both her books and her album. She assures us that she is not done creating, far from it actually. “I have more on the table to come. As God downloads, I just allow it to come forth. Hopefully the Bermudian audience will get to see the name Marionette Simmons yet again.”“In the midst of doing the gospel album, I wrote another book. It is not Biblically-based, but it is Bermuda-based. It is a Bermuda word search. Within it are little nuggets and fun facts about Bermuda.”Ms Simmons books along with her album are available locally at Brown & Co. for purchase. Her album is also available for purchase at Music Box and Radnor Road Christian Fellowship Bookstore and available for download on Apple iTunes. If anyone is interested in purchasing any of Ms Simmons’ products, please contact her directly by e-mailing mmslogic.bm@gmail.com