Touched by Encouragement: Martha Williamson is BACK!

She was one of the few bright spots of my week for more than ten years. As executive producer of Touched by an Angel for nine years, Martha Williamson brought a consistent message of God exists, God loves you, God is only as far away as your heart keeps him away.

Already a veteran a television through such shows as The Facts of Life, Under One Roof, Jack’s Place and Promised Land (the spin off series from Touched by an Angel), Martha Williamson brought more than 25 million viewers to their television sets each Sunday night on CBS. From 1994 through 2003 she was what I looked forward to on television. For three of those years (2000 through 2003) she also produced Promised Land, another highly successful show for CBS. I loved that show, as well. Both shows were blatantly Gospel, encouraging and inspiring to millions of viewers.

Her life was going at 110 miles per hour for those nine years, and then with the cancellation of both shows, her life came to an abrupt stand still. But she and her husband adopted two little girls from China and then her life was filled with all that instant motherhood entails: diapers, feedings, sleepless nights (and now brownies, PTA, and Sunday School). They also spent months traveling across the U.S. in an RV, rediscovering and getting back in touch with the heartland, much like her characters on Promised Land.

Back in Los Angeles, by the time her girls entered preschool, Martha’s next milestone was turning 50. She got serious about doing things she had always wanted to do by that age. She wrote a one woman show and performed it several times at the Pasadena Playhouse and in Williamstown, MA. She did some teaching and wrote some TV pilots. While autopsies and murders have recently ruled prime time, Martha felt the pendulum needed to swing back towards uplifting television programming. Another goal Martha Williamson had was getting healthy and under the care of her physician. She has recently lost 120 pounds. (She is gorgeous, too!)

Then "just by chance" Martha had a business breakfast with a friend who is a Christian businessman in New York City. Their conversation stretched through the morning. As Martha was getting ready to depart, her friend’s lunch appointment arrived. It was Steve Waldman, co-founder of the Web site, BeliefNet.com. Martha was surprised when Steve said that BeliefNet would not exist if it had not been for Touched by an Angel. He credited the series with helping the public talk about faith and values.

Because it is a multi-faith Web Site (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, pagan, etc.), Martha’s first reaction, when Steve mentioned that he would love to have her as a part of BeliefNet, was to dismiss it. Until she heard the inner voice of the Lord say, “Keep your mind open.” She realized this would allow her to go where many Christians are not. Martha wants to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

So the good news is that Martha Williamson is back! She now has two inspirational video posts each week called “A Touch of Encouragement”, as well as a regular blog the rest of the week on BeliefNet. Instead of one or two line responses to her postings, Martha is getting long responses, as folks pour out their hearts to her. People are allowed to bare their souls anonymously, so she has plenty to answer.

Martha has always seen herself as part of a bridge between groups. She encourages folks to log on to her website, where they can reach out to each other from all parts of the world, post comments, share scriptures, and become a community that encourages each other.

I have been on her site and I am a regular reader of her blog and I can tell you that Martha Williamson is truly a woman of encouragement and inspiration! One post, in particular, talks about the woman voted as The Most Annoying Woman in America, Rosie O’Donnell. It is not what you’re expecting, I can tell you! Martha exudes the Spirit of Christ with every word she writes or speaks.

I’m just so tickled that Martha Williamson is back in the public eye, contributing as a wise, loving, inspirational Christian that I had to share it with everyone! I encourage all to visit her site, her blog, and be encouraged! Everyone needs encouragement, and Martha Williamson is just the girl who can deliver.

©2008 April Lorier | Related Posts