Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should patiently wait on the Lord

Waiting on God
A devotional by Colette Christopher

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.”

—Psalms 40:1 (NLT)

I don’t believe there is ever a time when people who believe in God aren’t waiting on God for something. Whether it’s for the opening of a door, salvation for family and friends, a breakthrough or something else. There seems to always be a season when we have to wait for God’s response to our petitions.

There are times when God answers our prayers immediately and there are times when we have to wait. But if you are like me, we like the immediate responses to our prayers because it feels good. On the other hand, when we have to wait and the answer seems so long in coming, we lean toward giving up.

There have been times in my life when waiting on the Lord seemed to last forever and I felt that God hadn’t heard and wasn’t mindful of my pleas for help. In those moments I can recall persisting in prayer even when the pleas weren’t as intense as when I just started. The biggest things that I noticed is that during those moments, my faith was being built up.

King David told us in Psalm 40:1 that he waited patiently on God. This couldn’t have been easy, but David knew the God he prayed to would deliver him. When we wait on the Lord like David, our patience can be tested. In the Bible it is recorded that King David started praying to God about a certain matter several chapters before Psalm 40 started. If you read chapter 37 through chapter 39 then you can hear David’s original pleas for help. Like David, we who pray to God have a track record with Him. Over time, we understand that He responds in His perfect time and according to His perfect will for our lives. God is never late and never early. He is always right on time. We limit Him with our physical idea of time when we forget that God exists outside of time.

God already knows the petitions of your heart, the urgency of your need, the dire straits that you are in. He sees you. God cares for all humankind and understands our struggles. Therefore, He gives comfort to us about this practice of waiting on Him. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31 (NLT), “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

What can we take from the posture of waiting? The fact that it requires patience. It’s not something we necessarily like to hear, but it’s a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that we need in our Christian journey. We can take hope in the fact that the Lord inclined His ear to David and heard his cry then and it’s the same for us today. As long as what we are praying for is in alignment to the word and will of God for our lives, God will not only hear but will deliver us.

The requirement is patience, and if that’s an area that you are struggling with then let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us to not grow weary, to reflect on what God has done for us in the past and be reminded that He is still the unchanging God.

Before I close this devotional, I’d like to leave you with a word of encouragement: There are prayers that I have been praying that have taken decades to come through. There were moments when I wondered if they would ever be answered. But God did answer me in His perfect time, and He was always right on time.

Friends, don’t look at the length of time it takes to receive a response from God. Instead, look at what He is producing within you as you wait.

Let’s Pray: Spirit of the Living God, I pray today that You will meet us at the point of our needs. Strengthen those who are weak and feel like giving up. Remind them that You are still the unchanging God and there’s absolutely nothing that’s too hard for you to do. Show up today, Lord. Put a new song in their mouth. May You, gracious God, be magnified today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Spirit of the Living God” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Promises” by Maverick City feat. Joe L Barnes & Naomi Raine | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “In the Waiting” by Vicki Yohe. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colette Christopher is an empowered woman who inspires women to be who they were created to be. Her core message is empowerment. She is an author, certified life coach, podcast host, and trainer with the Maxwell Leadership team. 

Colette believes that an empowered woman empowers others and is powerful in knowing who she is and what she can accomplish. Colette is on a mission to impact the lives of the women assigned to her, whether she is their coach or trainer or shares a word that will transform their lives.

Colette utilizes her Christian principles as the base of all her engagements. She is passionate about fulfilling her life purpose of empowering women to know who they are, rebuild their confidence, and use their voices as tools to uplift themselves and others.

​​She is the founder of the M.E.E. Movement L.L.C., a faith-based empowerment ministry business that helps women of faith rebuild their confidence and use their voice to walk in their purpose through life coaching, mentoring, and empowerment speaking. Colette believes in using the gifts God has given her to help women be who God has called them to be and ultimately fulfill the purpose for which they were created. She lives by Romans 8:28 (NIV), that promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

A native of Jamaica, Colette resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the mother of two beautiful young women, a son-in-love, and two grandsons. Colette enjoys reading, writing, watching good movies, and chatting with her daughters and friends.

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Connect with Colette:
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367935
Email: Colettemarieonline@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to trust God's timing in every season

More than Frost on the Roof
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

—Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

As I write this devotional, the weather forecasters are predicting a bad winter storm to cover the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Weather models from across the world show possible patterns that the storm may follow. As I listen to the urgency in the voices of news reporters, I look outside and see frost on the roof.

Growing up in Virginia, my family was familiar with four distinct seasons. When we moved to South Carolina, we learned that there are basically two temperatures for the Lowcountry. Warm and hot. Yes, sometimes there are unusual temperature drops, as well as the occasional snow and ice storm. Those occurrences happen every few years.

One way I gauge the temperature during winter is by checking the roofs of neighborhood homes. Each morning, I look to see if there is frost or ice covering the tops of the houses. I also look at vehicles. If there is frost or ice covering the vehicle, I know that the morning is freezing cold.

Today, the roofs and cars are covered in ice. There is more than a light covering of frost. Checking the weather app on my phone, I see the temperatures are supposed to be in the 60s later today. This morning, the temperature was 27 degrees. There will be a dramatic change as the day progresses. Yet, I should not be surprised at the weather. Scripture shares that there is a time for everything. There is a season for every activity. This morning, people will wear coats, hats, and clothes. This afternoon, we’ll change to short sleeves. The coats will be hung back in the closet.

Sometimes, we question God’s timing. We pray and beg for answers. We cry, lament, and wonder why our prayers are not immediately answered. But our prayers are answered. Those requests are heard by God and answered in His perfect timing. People in church circles say that God may not come when you want Him to but He is never late. He is always on time. During my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment almost 21 years ago, I was comforted by the people God placed in my life to remind me of His presence and love. New friendships were formed with my doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Those relationships continue years later through conversations, cards, letters, and emails. God provided answers to prayers by sending people who would understand my cancer journey.

As the sun rises in our neighborhood, I see evidence of the air reaching warmer temperatures. Small areas of frost and ice on the roofs and cars begin melting. A fog rolls in, and sunshine peeks through the cloudy sky. Birds are awake and visiting the feeders. Buses are picking up children to transport them to school. Folks are walking their dogs. Neighbors are waving hello to each other. Gloves and scarves are being removed as the temperatures warm.

Yes, there is more than frost on the roof. There is evidence of God’s creations and His glory. I pause and thank God for this warm home and for answered prayers. I thank God for His answers in His timing. Tomorrow may bring another weather change. But I’ll be ready. I’ll start the day by giving thanks to God.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

We give thanks for the changes that the seasons bring to the world. Help us to remember that your timing is always perfect and that You have the best plans for our life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Always On Time (Bella Cordero)” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Seasons” by Benjamin William Hastings. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “God of All My Days” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Award-winning author Melissa Henderson writes inspirational messages sometimes humming with humor. With articles, devotions, and stories in print publications and online, Melissa shares her love for God and life. Some of the inspirations for her writing come from family life.

Melissa and her husband Alan have been married for over 46 years. Their son Mike, and daughter-in-love Christine have blessed the family with two precious children: Rowan and Eden. These precious souls bring laughter, love, and many funny experiences, which can often be found in Melissa’s writing. The family motto is “It’s Always a Story with the Hendersons”.

Melissa is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) South Carolina Lowcountry Chapter, AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), CWFL (Christian Writers for Life), and many other organizations.

Melissa’s books for children include Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator.

Melissa serves in Christian ministry as an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.

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Connect with Melissa:
Website: https://melissaghenderson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaHendersonAuthor
Twitter: https://x.com/mimionlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahendersonauthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ahenderson312/

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning to trust God and wait on His timing

God’s Timing is the Best
A devotional by Christine Monteiro

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”—Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

The past twelve months have been a real challenge for me. I feel like I am losing direction in life, and I can’t see beyond what is in front of me in a very close range.

I have doubts about many things and opportunities that lie before my eyes. I waited for what I thought was the best timing. I was juggling decisions. Every night, after I pray to God, I spend my time with ChatGPT. Wondering around, I wish God would work in that way. When you ask, He will directly speak to you—answering all your questions. I wondered why God doesn’t work like ChatGPT, giving all the positive and encouraging answers right away.

Slowly but surely, I made a bold decision—starting with straightening my finances, recalculating, structuring debt, and cutting many expenses. I’ve been ignoring things I should have done for a long time. Sometimes, doing the right thing can be scary. But miraculously, when I did the right thing by letting go of my fear, suddenly my anxiety subsided and things started to flow nicely. I’ve learned that God’s blessings are not only for me, but also for my children. Everything came on time for them: the food they needed, the money to pay their tuition for college, and a job for extra cash. I would never have guessed God would work the way He did. He left me in awe. I am grateful for what He has done for me.

Several years ago, I met a man who captured my heart. But at that time, neither of us was ready for a commitment. Our previous marriages have hurt us both. I was afraid of losing a spouse again. The death of my husband was traumatic enough, and I don’t want to experience that again. But who can guarantee someone’s life?

For years, I have tried to convince myself to toughen my heart and to believe that no one can guarantee a perfect future or everlasting life…until last month, when I decided to say yes to his proposal. Within three weeks, we planned our intimate, simple wedding with only eight people as our witnesses. It takes courage to enter a new journey. But I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my life story. It feels like I took a ton of weight off my shoulders. It feels incredible to feel loved, and the thought that I don’t have to go through life alone anymore. I can see God’s blessing upon my new marriage.

I had to make a decision not just to get married but to quit my job which was something I’d been putting off for months because I was so worried. Every time I thought about it, anxiety rose within me. It is scary to think about quitting my job and starting a new life with someone different. Funny enough, a day after I declared my new life, my boss allowed me to quit my job. We’d spoken about this for months, but he never approved my request to stop working for him. One thing I know then and now: God is in control. Proof that God is with me was in every single decision I made—the right decision, the right path, as He wanted me to do. I am now facing another level of faith because I want to pursue my calling. A calling that will make my life purposeful: A life where I can do ministry for the teens and run my coaching business at the same time. I am passionate about this life that I feel called to live. I am starting to see how God guides my path step by step. Just like Proverbs 3:5-6 says, God will make your paths straight.

I have many reasons to worry about pursuing my passion. I still have to support two kids in college and another one next year, but I am confident that God will show me the right path to take. Uncertainty has a way of drawing me closer to God as I keep seeking Him for strength. I’ve learned that God never wastes our time. He aligns things in our lives when we align our hearts with His. When you are in God’s waiting room, don’t panic, because He is still moving. When things happen, it will feel effortless. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.

I didn’t understand God’s timing when I was in the middle of a confusing time. But now I’m living inside the answered prayer. And I realized God was never late. I was just early. His timing is always best!

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being involved in every decision I’ve ever made. Thank You for proving that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank You for the mercy and love that you’ve shown me amid my confusion. Help me to keep believing in You and walking on the right path by your side. I need your guidance in my life. I am so grateful that I can call you Abba Father, whom I can rely on. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “In His Time” by Maranatha Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong UNITED. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Goodness of God” by Cece Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Christine Monteiro is a certified transformative coach, writer, and keynote speaker who is passionate about helping others navigate the complexities of purpose, personal growth, and resilience. 

Christine’s journey to becoming a coach started four years ago, following the loss of her husband to brain cancer. That experience left her feeling as though she had lost her purpose—a feeling she deeply understands in clients who she works with now. Through self-discovery and training, Christine found the missing pieces in her life and regained her purpose and drive that now motivates her to help others.

Christine coaches her clients from all walks of life—from young adults to retirees—helping them to embrace change, set meaningful goals, and confidently pursue their dreams. She has received training through Creative Results Management and holds credentials from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Christine also has certifications in Positive Psychology and Mental Health Coaching from Yale and Light University. Her diverse approach to coaching her clients combines empathy with strategic insight, helping them to navigate every stage of life.

When she writes, Christine likes to focus on topics like finding purpose, coping with grief, and achieving personal transformation. As she writes, Christine draws from her own experiences as a single mom and empty nester. She enjoys sharing these insights on various platforms to reach a wider audience and foster community support.

When not coaching or writing, Christine spends her time sipping black coffee and swimming in the pool. She has found that having three independent children gives her a privilege to have a lot of “me time” that she didn’t have when they were growing up.

Devotionals for the Heart: Persevere in prayer and wait on God's timing

Persevere in Prayer
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.”

—Psalm 40:1 (NLT)

Do you remember the movie, Are We There Yet?

The movie is about a family experiencing a road trip. Many people can relate to taking a road trip. If you’re a child looking out the window of your parent’s car during this kind of journey, everything that you see outside the window appears to be bigger in size. To most children, time seems to move so slow while on the road.

After driving for an hour, one or more passengers might ask the question, “Are we there yet?” Even though you’ve been told that it’s going to be a five-hour drive, for some reason, 30 minutes feels like an hour. I can relate to this. As we were on vacation and driving to another city, I knew it was going to be a long drive. I don’t know why 30 minutes felt incredibly long. It felt as if we should have been farther down the road than the clock or the GPS stated. We kept driving and before long, we were halfway there. We were actually making progress! Waiting is oftentimes difficult as it requires us to be patient on things that are out of our control.

The Bible tells us of a time in the life of Israel when things became out of their control too. In 1 Samuel 4, Israel was defeated in war by the Philistines. They experienced a devastating blow by the enemy and even more so because the Ark of God was captured. The Ark of God represented the old covenant under the law. This was not going down well for Israel. How long would the Philistines hold on to the Ark? When and how would they get the Ark back?

Just like Israel, we may have been praying for change in a situation for a long time. We prayed for an answer and hours turn into days, days into weeks and then weeks into months. We may have prayed, “Lord, how long?”

It was 20 years before God acted on their behalf. For 20 years, the ark was not in Israel’s possession (1 Samuel 7:1-3). Can you imagine waiting for 20 years?

I don’t have an answer as to why things take so long to change when you are doing all that you know to do. What I do know is that God is very patient, and He wants us to learn this also. What I know for sure is that God hears our prayers. He hears our every cry. Remember: God never slumbers nor sleeps. He is awake all day and all night. He never gets tired of hearing us call on His name.

Israel kept praying. Israel did not give up! I encourage you to not give up either. God answers in His time. They had been crying out for Messiah to come. Galatians 4:4 (KJV) says, “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman.” He did not send His Son before He was ready. The stage was set and prepared for Jesus Christ’s arrival. There was a time for this to happen and when the time was right, the ark that was held in captivity was released.

We do not control time. Waiting can become difficult but as the psalmist says, he “waited patiently” (Psalm 40:1). We are told in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, true stories of people who were faithful to the Lord. We read how they waited for breakthroughs and change. We are also told of the many who did not receive the prize they were running toward. As a matter of fact, many of them suffered greatly for their obedience to the Lord. Yet all remained faithful to God. Every one of these people persevered and endured till their last breath.

Is there anything that would cause you to give up? Can you think of anything worth more than your obedience to God? How is it worth waiting on God and trusting Him for a breakthrough as Israel had to learn to wait? These are a few questions to consider journaling and praying privately about to God.

We all have a moment (or more) in life when we get tired and feel like giving up. But let me encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus. Remember how He stayed focused on His call. Never give up!

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, it is so hard to wait sometimes. Help me to learn from David how to wait on Your timing. I know that Your ways are not mine, but I trust you to make all things beautiful in your time. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Find Us Faithful” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit, as well as Lord, I Trust You: Words of Encouragement, to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has travelled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 33 years. Together, they serve the community through their local congregation in various capacities. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and watched on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy”—her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Website: http://www.patrussellonline.com/
E-mail: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Rainbow

After the storm there is always a rainbow!
A devotional by Heidy De La Cruz

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

I was always the person who said they didn’t want to have kids. I never saw myself as a kind person, and being completely honest, I wasn’t one of those young girls who always dreamed of their wedding or getting married. After having my daughter, I thought I was done. I said I’ll be one and done. I was content with just her.

My husband and I always said we weren’t going to have kids together. He has a boy and I have my daughter. So technically, we have the pair, and we were fine by that. But everything changed after my grandfather died last August. I was sitting on the couch watching my uncles and aunt discuss funeral plans and sharing the burden of this loss. It brought me back to when my mom passed, my sister was six years old, and every decision fell on me. It was extremely overwhelming. So, I thought to myself: I cannot do this to my daughter.

I discussed it with my husband and got him on board. We started trying for a baby. After a few negative tests, we finally got a positive. I took two tests just to make sure, and I was beyond excited, so I wanted to spread the news right away to our families even though my husband wanted to wait. We told my family and then his after I told my daughter. I recorded all their reactions. I just felt like, wow, God answered my prayers!

Two days later, I had my miscarriage. I was utterly devastated. Just like with experiencing the loss of my mom and my grandfather, I kept thinking about Psalm 34:18 (NIV) “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Reading this verse and listening to Contemporary Christian songs by Lauren Daigle really helped me cope with this devastating loss.

Fast forward to April 2020: We finally got our positive pregnancy test again! I was and still am worried about losing this baby, but I remember how much I prayed and how faithful God is. I also look back at all the events that happened prior to getting pregnant, and it makes sense why God waited. I wanted it to happen so bad, and it did—right when it was supposed to happen! 

God’s timing is always perfect. I know that Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) is a very popular verse, but I feel like it’s the perfect verse to describe this situation. The verse reads, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When God puts something in your heart, it will happen, but only in His time. We must be patient, which is something I need to continue working on.

Let’s pray: Lord, help me remember that Your plans for my life are better than the plans I make on my own. I pray that my plans align with Your plans for my life. Thank You for all the blessings you have provided thus far. I am looking forward to growing with You and trusting You more. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Hello, my name is Heidy (Reynoso) De La Cruz. 

I am Dominican-American and I’m passionate about writing! I write poetry, encouraging blog posts about personal experiences and any message that God has stored in my heart. I am working on publishing my first poetry book.

First and foremost, I am a daughter of Jesus Christ. I am also a wife and a mother. I have my master’s degree in Healthcare Administration through Belhaven University’s online course. I have my bachelor’s degree in Science with the concentration of Psychology and Healthcare Administration.

I currently work in the medical field as a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist, and I’ve been in the medical field for the last six years. I love my career!

My hobbies include writing, reading, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, traveling, and spending time with my family.

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Connect with Heidy:
Blog: https://heidyreynoso.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/
Read my poetry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidyspoems/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heidyreynoso13
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidyreynoso13

Romantic Reads: Anchor My Heart

Story behind the story Anchor My Heart by Sara Beth Williams

My life, since February of 2018, has been in major upheaval. Way before the pandemic began.

Three family deaths occurred within six months of each other. My brother moved 2,000 miles away. My dad endured five surgeries in five months. I began to have symptoms of anxiety.

By the way, all of this occurred a year after I’d penned most of what is now Anchor My Heart.

Anchor My Heart tells the story of Matt Lawson and Tara Pierce. Matt has lost everything. In the wake of a life-altering tragedy, anxiety from his childhood rears its ugly head, making it difficult to cope with reality.

I don’t like to throw the term anxiety around lightly. I didn’t really acknowledge that I had anxiety for over a year.

Now that I have had three years to reflect, I realize that anxiety has always been part of my life, to some extent. Instances throughout college which I couldn’t truly explain, now make so much more sense, in light of my ability to self-reflect.

Back to Anchor My Heart: Before completing any of first three manuscripts, I had never experienced real, raw, intense grief, until the year When Hearts Collide was published. It is a book that also deals with grief.

Before Anchor My Heart, I’d never experienced any major anxiety. But God, in His infinite wisdom and love and knowledge, prompted me and inspired me to write these stories that deal so heavily with grief and anxiety because He knew. He knew I was going to walk through the same experiences. It almost felt like a future me had written journal entries to the past me.

In 2019, I returned to my third manuscript after about three years, combed through Matt’s experiences again, revised, enhanced the emotional reactions based on experiences I was still having throughout that year and then sent it off to my editor. It was raw, beautiful and romantic, but had a terrible title. I knew I had time to fix that.

In March 2020, as I was going through one of my mom’s old journals which has a nautical theme, I found this verse: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19 NIV)

The words anchor and hope stuck with me for months. As I waded through edits from my critique group, and later my editor, I knew the theme of my book was finding hope through extreme trials. But that hope isn’t just plain wishful thinking. I knew, for these two characters, it had to be an assurance in something greater than themselves.

I strongly believe God brings revelations to us at just the right time. For me, reading that verse in early 2020 was exactly when I needed to read that verse. Not any sooner. Not any later. This verse has been a blessing to me throughout 2020. But that could be an entire blog post in itself.

After some back and forth brainstorming with my editor and other author friends, we came up with this title: Anchor My Heart.

I absolutely adore this title for so many, many reasons.

I sincerely pray that when you read through Matt and Tara’s journey, you find hope, too, in knowing that strong assurance anchored in the One (God) who holds all things in His hands.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sara Beth Williams is a wife, mother of two daughters, and temporary caretaker of a lovable old lady pit and a spunky Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix. She lives in Northern California. 

When she's not held hostage by the keyboard, she enjoys music, teaching, reading and spending time with her family. 

She is all about connecting with readers!

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Book Blurb for Anchor My Heart:

In the aftermath of tragic loss, worship leader Matt Lawson is grappling debilitating anxiety. The blessings he’d taken for granted—a dream job, a woman he couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with, and his God-given musical talent have crumbled at his feet, leaving him reeling in despair, unable to face the wreckage of the life he’d envisioned for himself.

Tara Pierce is ready to put past hurts behind her as she prepares to graduate college and take a leap of faith in her career. When Matt’s grief causes him to isolate himself from everyone he knows, she refuses to stand idly by and do nothing. She has traversed similar terrain before. No one deserves to travel that road alone.

Unexpected attraction flares as Tara reaches into the sea of Matt’s grief and helps ground him in reality. But Matt’s not ready to give himself away again. Can Tara risk her heart and their friendship and let God step in to heal where she can’t?

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Buy Anchor My Heart on Amazon

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Connect with Sara Beth:

Amazon / Goodreads / Bookbub/ Facebook / Instagram / Twitter/ Website / Newsletter

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Note to the readers from Sara Beth:

There is a Pre-order Prize Pack Giveaway Available for Anchor My Heart! 

Enter to win a grand prize pack full of books and bookish swag. THREE winners will be chosen in all. All chosen winners will be invited to join me on a Zoom coffee or tea date.

Pre Order Anchor My Heart HERE

Click here to find out all the info you need to enter to Win

Romantic Reads: The Everstone Chronicles by Dawn Crandall

Welcome Dawn Crandall to the blog!

She's here to share the inspiration for her story series, The Everstone Chronicles.

Dawn's also agreed to give away one, signed paperback book to a total of five winners! That means that each one of the winners will receive one of the five books in Dawn's series "The Everstone Chronicles." The only requirement is that each of the winners must live in the United States of America.
See the line-up of her books in the graphic below.

Enjoy!

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The Everstone Chronicles
A guest post by Dawn Crandall

Some things just float your boat, you know? What are some of yours?

I’m thinking, for many of you, having piles of awesome newly released novels to read is one of those things. Do you remember what it was that you loved to do more than anything else ... when you were a kid? Well, for me, at least, it hasn’t changed much.

I remember being in third grade and KNOWING that I was meant to write books. But having ADD in the 80’s and feeling like I was a pretty lousy student through most of my school years sort of put my dreams of being a published author in the category of “pipe dream.” Then during my senior year of college, I had one glorious spring break week of creative thinking, and I came up with the name of the heroine I would (hopefully) write someday—Amaryllis Brigham. And I also came up with the last name of the hero, and the family I would write a series about—the Everstones.

Five years after I graduated from college, I got married. And because I had lots of extra time at that point, I decided to check out some books about character development from the library. Which was the first clue to my husband that I wanted to write a novel. Yes, I hadn’t even told him! Then another five years went by while I worked full time at a daycare. I had definitely thought more about writing it by then, but I didn’t really know how to start.

But then I did. At the age of 32, during January 2010, I finally started writing The Hesitant Heiress. I just dove in, half planned and half one-chapter-at-a-time. I love history so much, when I’m doing research the world as it was just comes to life in my imagination and the story possibilities are endless!

I wrote Nathan and Amaryllis’s story for myself—for the joy of writing! Creating story, I found, was my favorite hobby beyond reading them! I did have a dream once during the two year process of writing The Hesitant Heiress, and I very vaguely saw a cover face out on a shelf. But again, to me it seemed like an impossibility, and I just kept focused on the joy I attained from writing it. If you would have told me back then that my first novel I loved writing would be traditionally published and on the market two and a half years after I finished writing it, I would have laughed in your face!

And then, when I first saw Amaryllis on the cover of that first book in my series of five ... I thought back to the dream I had that one time, and she was it. The way Amaryllis Brigham is situated on the cover of my published novel was very similar to the vague book cover of my dream. God had done it! He had taken the biggest desire of my life, given me a dream even when I was too cautious to hope, and He had made it a possibility. 

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Author Bio:

Dawn Crandall's debut Gilded Age Victorian romance, The Hesitant Heiress, was a 2015 ACFW Carol award finalist in the debut category and received the 2015 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2015 Write Touch Reader’s Choice Award and the 2015 Romancing the Novel Reader’s Choice Award.  

Dawn lives in a 165 year old brick farmhouse on a little farm in her hometown in northeast Indiana, along with her husband, their two little boys, two spunky cats, one giant dog...and an Angora goat named Buddy (who actually lives in the barn, not the house).

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Buy Dawn’s books on Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble

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Connect with Dawn:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DawnCrandallWritesFirst
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bilhmv
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dawncrandallwritesfirst
Website: www.dawncrandall.blogspot.com
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/dawnwritesfirst
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dawnwritesfirst

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*This book giveaway contest is for residents of the United States of America ONLY because mailing books outside of the USA is too expensive. If you are a citizen of the USA then you may enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN ONE of Dawn's books by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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A message to encourage and inspire your heart!

Author Interview with Erin R. Dooley

Let's welcome Erin R. Dooley to the blog today!

She's an award-winning screenwriter who wrote a book called "You Want Me to Do What, God?!"  that gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at how her movie Broken & Beautiful was made. She's also giving away one copy of her book! Details are below toward the end of the interview.

The movie releases on Feb. 14, 2018. Erin will return to this blog later in February to talk about it. But for today, the focus is on her book! Enjoy my interview with Erin!

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Interview with Erin R. Dooley about her book, 

“You Want Me to Do What, God?!”

Hi Erin! Thanks for agreeing to an author interview on my “God is Love” blog. We’re going to talk about your new book and “the faith of making Broken & Beautiful” which is your movie that’s coming out in February 2018.

First, congratulations on making a movie! We’ll talk about that next month. Today, we’re focusing on the story behind making the movie. It’s a story that you’ve humorously titled “You Want Me to Do What, God?!”

Let’s talk about it. These are my questions:

Alexis: Why do you believe that God wanted you to write this book? Share the story-behind-the-story. 

Erin: I wrote the book first as journal for myself, on the encouragement of Amanda Cleary Eastep. She's my friend and former co-worker. There were so many “God moments” that happened, that I just had to write them in a journal.

As I was getting funding and securing every other element of pre-production, I would share the story of how God called me to make the film. This seemed to touch people, so I continued to share it. I was especially taken with the fact that some people who are not religious, people who had fallen away from the church, seemed to be impacted by the story. When you step out so strongly in faith, people resonate with that, whether or not they are people of faith.

As I prepared to release the film, I thought I would be remiss if I didn't release this book. For me, the beauty of this film is how it came to be. I am proud of the film and think that on its own, it can impact people, but the making of it can equally impact people. 

Alexis: What is your relationship with Amanda Cleary Eastep who wrote the Foreword for your book? Describe the role that she played in helping you write this story.

Erin: Amanda Cleary Eastep and I used to work together. We weren't in the same department, but I would have frequent meetings with their department. We began having lunch together quite often and our conversations turned toward our shared love of writing. Even after we no longer worked together, our friendship and support of each other's writing remained. Amanda is a wonderful woman – encouraging, thoughtful, insightful are just a few of the top characteristics that come to mind. She was a constant cheerleader and prayer warrior on this journey. When I was writing my book, it was only fitting that she write the foreword, since she was instrumental in me writing the book in the first place!

Alexis: What advice do you have for people who are striving to do God’s will even when they do not understand? Speak from your personal experience.

Erin: Part of what I say in the book when I talk about this is first, you should be in prayer. Prayer will help you discern if what you are feeling is from God. Seeking counsel from people who are strong in their faith is also helpful in understanding if God is calling you to do something.

Once you feel secure that God is calling you to do something, it still may not be comfortable. He often calls people out of their comfort zones. This film was the biggest undertaking I had done up until that point. I told God he had the wrong woman. The title of my book really was my response, and maybe your response – God is asking you to do what?

What I can say, now being on the other side, is that God will be there with you. He won't ask you to do something and then bail on you. Remain in prayer. The way I've taken to pray is, “God, I believe this path/decision is what I am to do next. I will do this next thing. If it is not right, please redirect me and open the correct door.” Every step of the way, keep checking in. You may not get total clarity, but God usually gives enough for you to take that next step He needs you to.

Alexis: What about writing this book brought you the greatest joy?

Erin: Honestly, I like the reaction when people hear the title. It disarms people and makes people smile. I think that makes people more open to reading the story. I have a very personal relationship with God, where I do speak with Him so casually I can respond to Him with a question like “You want me to do what?”. It's not some “holier than thou” story. I'm just a woman who loves the Lord and wants to serve him in my daily life, using the talents He's given me, who is sharing her story. It seems like that approach makes people more open to hear about a journey of faith and think about their own life. Having God use me to help bring others to Him is my greatest joy.

Alexis: What was your most difficult challenge in writing this book? Explain.

Erin: The book is primarily based on journal entries written during filming, so I needed to make some changes to put them in chapters that had some cohesion and flow. I also wanted to strike a balance between a behind the scenes on the logistics of making an ultra low budget film and the faith aspect. I also hadn't journaled as much once filming started, so I had to go off my memory, which was a challenge because I have a notoriously bad memory).

Alexis: How did you learn to understand and trust God’s timing?

Erin: Truthfully, I can still sometimes struggle with this. I do try to look for lessons I may need to be learning if I feel like God is making me wait for something. Another co-worker of mine used to always say “Time is going to pass anyway, so you may as well make time work for you.” That stuck with me so that I don't waste time. If I'm waiting, there may be a reason and I can at least do something while I wait.

Alexis: What would you say is the most valuable life lesson that you learned while going through the experiences that you’ve written about in this book?

Erin: I would say that I learned that God's dreams for you may be bigger than your own. Even if he's not calling you to do something on a big stage, he may be calling you to be a bigger, better person than you are right now. I have grown immensely in following God's will in my life and where I am right now is not where I would be if I had followed my own plans for myself.

Alexis: In your book, your sister told you that she had a dream that a man approached her while she was in Subway (the restaurant) saying that He felt impressed to give her money to make a movie. Did that ever happen? If not, how did you get the funds to make your movie?

Erin: Ha! Don't I wish she met a mysterious benefactor at Subway. I mean, she didn't really even try and hit up some Subways, but I've given her a pass on that. I held some fundraising events and then basically asked anyone and everyone I knew to contribute. Since it is a faith-based film, a lot of people I knew were inclined to give. And going back to an earlier question, really sharing how I felt called by God really inspired generosity in others.

Alexis: I like how you started each chapter of your book with a Bible verse. How did you go about choosing the most appropriate verse for each chapter?

Erin: Thanks. I did quite a search through the Bible with some keywords and had a list of maybe 30-40 verses. Then I made bullet points of each chapter's main points. I looked through my list and did my best to match it up with the main theme of the chapter.

Alexis: In what ways do you hope that this book will help your readers?

Erin: I hope people will think about how God may be speaking with them and see what God could be calling them to do. Like I say in the book, some are called to something big and will influence many people, and others are called to influence a smaller circle of people, perhaps their children and family. No matter the size of your call, there is value in it. Whatever God is asking you to do, do it! 

Alexis: Now that this book is written, what’s next?

Erin: Right now, I am very busy with the release of the film. Both the book and the film “Broken & Beautiful” come out on February 14. Then I will embark on a 10-city tour with the film, going from California to the east coast. After that, I'm not sure just yet. I'm seeing where God is leading!

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Erin! God bless you.

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Author Bio:

Erin R. Dooley is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, speaker, and author. 

Erin has produced two feature films, numerous short films, two comedy web series, a docu-series, and one feature documentary. 

Erin and her projects have been featured in 20 different media outlets, including Newsweek's "Guide Of What To Watch." 

"You Want Me to Do What, God?!" is her first book. She lives in Los Angeles County.

About the book: You Want Me To Do What, God?! is a look at the faith of saying "yes" to God's call even when you don't understand what He is asking of you. 

Written in a conversational tone, author Erin R. Dooley takes the reader behind the scenes of making the faith-based film Broken & Beautiful. 

Part devotional, with scripture verses and reflection questions, and part testimonial, based on journal entries during filming, the book presents an approachable perspective to living out your faith.

Buy the movie and read the book via http://www.brokenandbeautifulmovie.com/buy-the-movie.html

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Connect with Erin:

Facebook Fan Page - www.facebook.com/brokenandbeautifulmovie

Facebook Business Page - https://www.facebook.com/DASHEntertainment/
Movie Feed on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Brokn_Beautiful
Production Company Feed on Twitter - https://twitter.com/DASH_Entertain
Personal Twitter - https://twitter.com/erindooley34

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*United States Residents ONLY May enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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Interview featuring Rose Allen McCauley, author of "Better Together Than Apart” novella

Welcome a familiar face to the blog today! Rose Allen McCauley returns to share insights from her new novella "Better Together Than Apart" which is a story in this book:

Read on to find out how K-LOVE (radio station) inspired this story, among other fun facts!

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Interview with Rose Allen McCauley, author of the “Better Together Than Apart” novella in the Destination: Romance (Five Inspirational Love Stories Spanning the Globe) story collection

Alexis: K-LOVE is my favorite Christian radio station! I am delighted to see that you wrote a book set on their K-LOVE Cruise. What inspired you to write this story “Better Together Than Apart”?

Rose: It is my husband and daughters’ fave station, too. I usually listen to books on CD in the car because I have so little time to read since I started writing. Kim Sawyer had been on several K-LOVE cruises, and while visiting us one year, invited us to go on one with her and her husband in January 2016. The saying “Better together than apart” is something I wrote on the back of my picture when my husband and I were dating in college, and it is still true forty-nine years later!

Alexis: Jamaica is a beautiful island! Why did you choose to feature that island in your story instead of another place?

Rose: It was one of the two stops our K-LOVE Cruise made last year. Our oldest daughter went there twice on mission trips while she was in college. Our oldest granddaughter went on a mission trip while in high school. And I have been on three mission trips, so it seemed like a good tie-in since the K-LOVE Cruise actually takes passengers on a one-day mission trip if they sign up ahead of time.

Alexis: Natalie Brooks is the heroine of your story. Tell us about her personality, looks, fears, flaws and deepest desires.

Rose: Natalie Brooks is based on the granddaughter I mentioned in the last answer, and physically they look alike with brown hair and eyes, although there are also some differences such as what colleges they attend, and the whole romance is entirely fictional. But, my fictional and real Natalie are both oldest children and very responsible. They are both strong Christians with desires to help people, especially children through the legal system.

Alexis: Ken Worth is the hero of your story. Describe his looks, heart, strengths and weaknesses.

Rose: Ken is entirely fictional. His heart is for God and others, and that is a big strength. His background of growing up on the mission field sometimes kept him from understanding those who grew up differently, and that can be a weakness and also it can be a strength.

Alexis: Give us insight into the history that Natalie and Ken have together. Why did they become friends as teenagers?

Rose: Although meeting a mate should not be the reason for going on a mission trip, I do believe it can change a young person’s life forever. When my oldest daughter came home from Jamaica she wanted to go back again and did the next year. She told me she had no idea people could live without running water and other luxuries and still keep their children so clean. It gave her a whole new perspective on the rest of the world outside of Kentucky! I see the fictional Natalie as having her eyes opened to those kinds of realities, too. It was originally a teenage crush, and she and Ken corresponded for several months until he wanted her to choose some other vocation than lawyer so she could come back and help on the mission field. In the end, God uses Nat’s desire to be a lawyer to bring them back together as adults. I think it shows how God can use all things in His perfect timing!

Alexis: Why are Natalie and Ken “Better Together Than Apart”? 

Rose: God can use Ken’s mission experience and Natalie’s law degree to serve the orphans of Jamaica and other Caribbean countries better as a team than singly.

Alexis: As the author of this story, was it a challenge to create obstacles and scenarios to keep Ken and Natalie apart? 

Rose: Obstacles are often a challenge to me as I like my own life to be smooth sailing! But, I know God can use many things to teach us life lessons and draw us closer to Him. Why or why not? The differences in location and life goals helped to build conflict and obstacles, and also gave ample opportunity for my characters to trust more in God to work things out rather than trying to do it all themselves. 

Alexis: What role does faith in God play in this story?

Rose: Both the main characters have to have faith to trust God when they can’t see a way. And to ask Him to help them follow His leading.

Alexis: What role does Natalie and Ken's passion for mission work play in this story?

Rose: When they were younger it drove them apart, perhaps because God knew they weren’t ready to be together until later. But in adulthood, they are wiser and willing to trust Him to work it out.

Alexis: Where do Natalie and Ken see themselves in the next five years and how do their career goals affect their romance? 

Rose: I hope they will have a child or two by then (that could be a whole other story) and will still be serving God better together than apart!

Alexis: What’s the moral of this story? 

Rose: God knows the beginning from the end, and He can work things out perfectly when we get out of the way!

Alexis: Have you ever been on a K-LOVE Cruise in real-life to research this story? 

Rose: I’ve been on other cruises but this was my first K-LOVE Cruise, and I hope not my last. Kim and I had talked about writing a book together someday, so this was a great chance to do that after we did the cruise, and even brainstormed some story ideas while on the ship.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Rose! Do you have any closing comments? 

Rose: Thank you, Alexis, for hosting me and for doing so much to promote other authors!

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Author Bio:

Rose Allen McCauley started writing over a decade ago when she retired from teaching school to write the stories of some of the characters roaming around in her head. 

Since joining ACFW in 2002, she has been published in several non-fiction anthologies and devotionals, and now is happy to announce “Better Together than Apart” in the collection Romantic Destinations as her sixth novella. 

She has been happily married to her college sweetheart for over four decades and is also mother to three grown children and their spouses and Mimi to five lively grandkids. 

Rose always enjoys hearing from her readers at rosemccauleywrites@gmail.com.

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Buy Rose's book on Amazon and B&N (Barnes and Noble)

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Connect with Rose:
Website - www.rosemccauley.com
Facebook - http://on.fb.me/1LrXNoS
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RoseAMcCauley

A devotional thought for your heart

The Priceless Truth
A devotional by Alexis A. Goring

The last time that I was hired as a seasonal sales associate at a mall, my manager asked me to travel throughout the store, making sure that all of the products on display looked neat, orderly and attractive to customers.

One day, while working on a designer display of brand name coats, I realized that a security cord connected the coats so that no one would be able to steal it.

As I struggled to work around the security cord to fluff the jackets and restore order to the display, I realized the priceless truth—we humans are priceless to God! So much so that He put a plan (called the "Gift of Salvation") and a roadmap to life (called The Holy Bible), in place to keep us secure if only we abide in Him. Just like that security cord kept the expensive coats safe, God’s protection keeps us close to His heart. He does this because He believes that we are priceless to Him (Isaiah 43:4) and He loves us. All we need to do is to believe in Him and His Son Jesus Christ then follow (and be obedient to) Him throughout all the days of our life.

God also says that we have an enemy who is a thief (John 10:10) who is the devil and he wants to destroy us! But God is stronger than the enemy and if we choose to stay close to God and follow Him, we will experience eternal life (John 3:16) when He returns to Earth and takes His faith followers home to heaven. Our walk with God is not always going to be like peaches and cream (easy). There will be mountain highs and valley lows. But He promises to walk through the storms of life with us and give us strength to endure.

But how do we fight off the thief who is our enemy? God tells us to submit to Him, resist the devil and the devil will flee from us (James 4:7). So how do you do that? The best way, I believe, is to take God’s advice and guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23-27).

In closing, I’d like for you to listen to a song by 1GN called “Guard Your Heart.” It’s very modern with a timeless message. You can listen to it here.

After you listen to the song, you are invited to leave a comment below to tell me how you plan to guard your heart and stay close to God.

Be blessed by God, dear hearts!

Love,

Alexis

Words of Faith: M. Simone's story about following God's lead

How to Follow God When You Don’t Know Where He’s Leading
A Words of Faith story by M. Simone Boyd

“Faith is following God when you don’t know where He’s leading.” That’s what my pastor said a few weeks ago in church. And I needed this reminder because I was growing weary of this writing journey.

You see, I took a big leap of faith in the fall of 2014. I left my good government job to write full time. But things haven’t been shaking out quite as I had planned.

By now, I thought I’d be a New York Times best-selling author.

By now, I thought I’d be sitting on Oprah’s couch telling her all about my plans to help heal families.

By now, I thought I’d be making at least a few thousand dollars a month as a writer.

But none of that has happened.

And I think it’s because God is more interested in the journey than the destination. Take the children of Israel, for example. Once they left Egypt it took 40 years to get the Promised Land. 40 years?!

But even when they were wandering in the wilderness, God was proving His faithfulness to them over and over again. Here are three lessons I’m learning as I try to follow God—even when I don’t know where He is leading:

Lesson #1: Look for God’s Protection

You probably know the story of the Exodus. Pharaoh didn’t let the Israelites exit without a fight, and even after they did leave, Pharaoh followed. But God used Pharaoh’s hard heart to demonstrate His protection. Listen to what Moses says as the Egyptian army approached:

“The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:14 (NKJV)

Over the past year and a half, I have seen God’s protection time and again. Such as:

· He protected me and my husband from buying a house with termites.

· He’s protected me from job offers that would have taken me away from my mission.

· And He’s fought for me even when I didn’t know that He was doing so. 

Lesson #2: Look for God’s Provision 

God had to teach the Israelites how to rely on Him.

Prior to the Exodus, the Israelites relied on the Egyptians for food and shelter. That’s how Joseph’s brothers wound up in Egypt in the first place, they were starving and Egypt had food. And for 430 years, Egypt provided.

God had to re-teach them the lessons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—He was their sole provider. Provision came via manna in the morning and quail at night.

Personally, I’m struggling with this lesson.

I went from making six-figures a year to making just enough money to put gas in my tank. But the Lord is showing me, just how much trust I had in that job. He’s teaching me to:

· trust in Him

· walk by faith

· and to continue working…even when I don’t see the results.

It’s been a humbling experience. But not once have I been hungry. And every single month, I’ve made money as a professional writer—even if it was only pocket change.

Lesson #3: Look for God’s Guidance

From the moment the Israelites exited Egypt, God was their guide. He showed up as a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. They were never alone.

Neither are you and I.

Looking for His guidance is one of the places I’ve grown. Time and again, He’s closed one door and opened another. Just recently, my novel got rejected by a fancy New York publisher. So decided to go the self-publishing route. A few days later, a local printer wrote me and said they’d print 5,000 copies. For free.

Only God could do that. And I’m following Him, no matter where He leads me.

Reflection question: What lessons is God teaching you as you follow Him in faith? 

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Author bio:

M. Simone Boyd quit her job as an energy analyst to research and write about what makes relationships thrive or die. 

She interviewed 10 Christian, Black men to get their thoughts on relationships and wrote a free guide based on their advice. Simone is the oldest of eight kids and married to her husband, Morris–an only child. 

Say "howdy" to her at: 
My Family Fantastic (blog)
Twitter: @msimoneboyd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myfamilyfantastic/

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