Hi Friends,
First (real quick), I wanted to ask those of you who have read IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES and liked it -- would you consider posting your comments on the CBD website? I notice there are a few there already, but it would be great to have some more (especially since the "special markets" guy at my publisher mentioned that it'd be great to see some more reviews there!) So, if you're willing, go to:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1136938&item_no=420244
Scroll down and click on the line that says, "Write a Review of If Tomorrow Never Comes" to enter your comments. Thanks bunches!!
Next, how would you like to be the one to name a coffee drink in my next novel - and donate to a great charity at the same time? Now you can, thanks to an online charity auction that's offering you this unique opportunity, and not just for my next book, but other authors as well. Authors are offering character spotlights (be in a novel!), naming a dragon, and more. It's really neat, so be sure to check it out. The auction runs May 31st to June 7th, and you can find all of the info at their website, http://www.beinanovel.com/.
And speaking of naming a coffee drink, the drink will appear at least twice in my next book, and one of those times is in the chapter I just wrote last night.
So today, I thought it would be fun to share a bit from last night's writing where a character from my last book (Kinna from If Tomorrow Never Comes) comes into Marnie's Books and Brew to talk to Marnie and share a bit about what she learned in her story.
Here's a short excerpt, see what you think!:
Marnie shook her head and focused on Kinna. “Thanks.”
Kinna threw her a half-grin. “It’s amazing how much infertility and being single are alike. Change a few words and it’s the same questions, the same comments, the same prying, know-it-all advice.” ... (cut a bit to keep from giving too much away! ;-)) “I’ll tell you a secret. A baby isn’t the answer to infertility, just like a man isn’t the answer to singleness.”
“What is, then?”
“Surrender.”
Great, just what she needed. A riddle. She frowned. “Surrender to what?”
“God’s vision of your life. I’ve learned that God works in the barren years. When He seems the most absent, that’s when He’s doing His most intimate work.” She tapped her chest. “In here, where no one else can see.”
“If you say so.”
“Listen, honey. If your future husband walked through that door right now, would it change who you are or who God has made you to be in all these years of being single?”
For a moment, Marnie envisioned Taylor striding through the door. Same intense brown eyes, same wavy hair but now with a little gray at the temples, same special smile just for her. Her heart nearly stopped at the image. “I guess it wouldn’t change me, except for the heart attack.”
Kinna laughed. “That’s why we just take the gifts God’s gives as He gives them. Infertility, singleness, or a boy named Emmit.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Sometimes, they aren’t the gifts we want, but they’re gifts all the same.”
--- So there ya go! Of course, I wrote that late last night and it hasn't been edited yet. It'll probably be a lot better when it comes out in the actual book, but I wanted to share some thoughts that I've been pondering about God's gifts to us, thoughts that are making their way into my next book.
So, what gifts are there in your life that came wrapped in unattractive packages, but were gifts from God all the same??
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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3 comments:
Hmmm... I won't say on the blog, but the package was almost as ugly as it can get, and God has taught me so much. For one, about how he can use anything for good. Also, how so much in this life is not about us, but if we allow God to use us, WE can be about God's purposes and bring comfort, healing, and hope to others as we walk with them through their difficulties, hopefully showing them God's love on the journey.
I've been learning this lesson of surrender as God allowed the "gift of tragedy" to turn my life upside-down in July of 2001. I sat with my young family (husband and 3 kids, ages 7 mos, 2 1/2 and 4) at a restaurant for Sunday brunch. We had just gone to church and were about to start our meal when a suicidal woman drove her car into the restaurant where we were dining. My life literally cam crashing down around me and my 4-year old daughter was killed. The rest of us sustained serious and life-threatening injuries. It was the worst day of my life. Yet I had a peace in my heart and knew God was holding the pieces of our broken lives in His hands.
It's been a long, hard and painful journey. I never would have raised my hand and volunteered to walk this path of grief and heartache. But I can honestly say that there have been gifts and blessings and I have found joy all along the way. God has been SO GOOD and faithful to me and to my family. I do not know why He allowed this tragedy to happen to us, but we have been able to turn some of our pain into opportunities to glorify God. We made statements of forgiveness to the woman who drove the car (and didn't have a scratch on herself after the crash, nor has she ever said she's sorry) and have shared our story many times in various venues.
God's ways are not our ways. But I've learned to accept and trust Him more, and I have a longing in my heart for Heaven that I didn't before all this occurred.
I've been blessed with 3 more children since the death of our daughter and I know that each of my kids are a true gift.
Wow. I didn't mean to write a mini novel here myself! =) I just know that God is so much bigger than anything that happens in our lives and He promises to walk through the vallies with us.
So there you have it.I used to see my grief and suffering as hardships and the questions around them were burdens to me each day. Now I am seeing them more as God intended them in my life- through grief and harships I am learning God's mercies are new every morning. He truly has "rewrapped" my sorrow and turned it into joy. That's just how amazing God truly is. One day I'll see it all from His perspective and I just know I will praise Him and thank Him for the harships in my life!
Wow, Jody, that's a heartbreaking but amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing. Your words really touched me.
And Caleb's Momma, thank you for sharing too. God continues to make me catch my breath in wonder at how he turns the ugliest, most awful things into something purposeful and meaningful - testimonies to his wonder.
Wow.
--Marlo
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