Sunday, August 26, 2012

Introducing Guest Blogger Katie Ganshert

Katie Ganshert is a writer who used to make a living as an elementary school teacher. Given my background in education and desire to make a living as a writer, I instantly connected with Katie's life story upon reading her blog earlier this year. Eventually, I connected with Katie and asked her to write a guest post for my blog. Gratefully, she agreed! Katie is a very talented author whose first book, Wildflowers from Winter, released May 2012 is a wonderful portrayal of how God can work in our lives to bring beauty out of pain.

So without further ado, here is Katie's first guest post for my blog:

Faith and the Writing Journey

Written by Katie Ganshert

I always loved writing as a little girl. Instead of watching TV, I’d curl up in bed and fill notebook after notebook with penciled stories.

I had no idea, at the time, that God was working in my heart long before I ever knew Him. Hindsight is the coolest, because of course now, I can see His hand in my life. I know with absolute assurance that He plants dreams and passions in our hearts for a reason.

My debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, hit shelves this past May. It was a huge, giant dream come true. And I’ve loved every minute of being a published author. However, I can’t help but look back with fondness on the uncomfortable, sometimes confusing road that led me to this place.

It was a journey that was littered with doubt and deferred hope and excruciating bouts of waiting. I wrote novels and I got rejections from agents and editors and all I could do was get on my knees and surrender my dreams over and over again.

Until something pretty amazing happened.

My prayers changed from Lord, let me be published to Lord, give me more of you. I began to praise God in the midst of the waiting and the rejections. Because both were drawing me closer to Him. And drawing closer to Him is a pretty breathtaking thing.

I’m discovering that this side of publication is no different. I still have dreams. I still have fears. I still have desires and hopes and doubts. Publication is everything like I thought it would be and nothing like I thought it would be. I’m continually having to take my dreams and my fears and my expectations to the foot of the cross and hand them over.

As I travel this journey, I realize more and more that the point isn’t publication or making the best-seller list or winning awards.

The point is obedience and surrender.

It’s learning to trust that if God has put stories in our heart, then all we can do is write them. Write them the best way we know how, then get on our knees and trust Him with the rest. Come what may.

Question for You: Have any dreams or passions in your life strengthened your faith?

Leave your answers to this question in the comment section.
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Author Biography: Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the Midwest, where she writes stories about finding faith and falling in love. When she’s not busy plotting her next novel, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, and chatting with her girlfriends over bagels. She and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Congo. You can find her online at her blog and on Facebook.

Great news for you (the reader): Katie would love to send my readers a welcome packet. If you'd like to receive one, please visit her website and click on the Welcome Packet button.

7 comments:

  1. You are welcome, Katie! Thanks for writing! :)

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  2. This is a lovely post, Katie. It's so true how the book itself isn't necessarily the purpose, but the journey the Lord takes us (and others) on.

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  3. "My prayers changed from Lord, let me be published to Lord, give me more of you. I began to praise God in the midst of the waiting and the rejections. Because both were drawing me closer to Him. And drawing closer to Him is a pretty breathtaking thing."

    My favorite part! Thanks for sharing, Katie!
    Alexis, your blog is so pretty! I love the candles. :)

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  4. @Jessica- Thank you for the compliment on my blog! :) I'm happy that Katie's guest post was of inspiration to you! You are welcome to return anytime to check out more stories on God is Love! :)

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  5. This is awesome,

    I have often halted the pursuit of my dreams because of my over logical way of thinking. I have the tendency to place God in a box, this is something I am prayerfully seeking to stop and let God perform in my life.

    I LOVE sports and I want to work in the industry of Sports & Entertainment but my biggest hang up has been the fact that I am a Sabbath keeper and the S&E industry thrives of that 24 hour period from sunset friday to sunset saturday. In my mind I can not comprehend a company that would be ok with that even though right no I know it is unlawful to discriminate apart of me just does not want to be an inconvenience. Why do I feel that my faith could be an inconvenience is something I can not figure out to this very moment. The Lord revealed to me that he can and will come though if only you just ask. I received a call in June to attend and assist at a conference in FL with the International Association of Venue Managers I have worked with them a few times before so I was excited. This was a week long job that would be held over a weekend....my thoughts were oh no! The Sabbath! to make a long story and post short (lol) they accommodated my request for the Sabbath of and I was so amazed an pleased and all I had to do was trust and have faith in God to show up and show out for me! :)

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  6. Wonderful news! :) See what God can do with your faith in Him? :) Sounds like your story is a reminder of Jeremiah 29:11. :)

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