God and the Goldfinch by Sharon Heagy (re-post)

Sometimes life happens and time goes by and your to do list is overwhelming. Then you pray and God says, 'For this month, print the one about the Goldfinches.' First published in July of 2020—the first year I began posting—this post remains dear to my heart, and birds remain a huge part of what brings me joy. May you be encouraged to carry on and know God is always near.

While picking saskatoon berries one morning, a unique birdsong captured my attention. I could hear the bird but was unable to spot it. Its song soothed my senses and blessed away my stress.

Birds have always had a special place in my heart and I watch them with keen interest. How do they fly? How do they sing? How can they eat their own weight each day and not gain an ounce? How can a sparrow stand outside in minus 53C windchill eating seeds and not turn into a ‘sparrowcicle’? They are miraculous. Perhaps it is my fascination with birds that led me to my request of God.

It was at a significant low point in my life. Terrible circumstances surrounded me. The passing of a two-year-old girl, a family friend who died in her mother’s arms, was particularly crushing.

In my own family I was struggling as my kids were making destructive choices despite fervent prayers, leading me to believe I was a lousy mother and an ineffective follower of Christ rather than realizing they had free will. Spiralling down I crashed into a crisis of faith. There was no light. There was no hope. I questioned everything I believed, even to the existence of God himself. Was I just nuts? Had He ever spoken to me?

Sitting on my deck, weeping and crying I called out to God from the depths of despair, not even knowing if I knew Him anymore. “Are you there?” I railed. “Do you care? Please, God, show me. Right or wrong I am asking for a sign. I’m desperate, Lord. Please. Please just send one goldfinch to the yard right now and I will know the truth.”

In the receding wake of shuddering sobs, I waited. Waited as the sky grew dark and the birds went to bed. No goldfinch. No promise. No answer. I went to bed devastated and exhausted, feeling deserted and alone. Sleep was elusive and when it did come it was restless and short.

Dawn greeted me with puffy eyes and a groggy head. Leaden feet padded their way into the kitchen where I leaned weakly on the counter. Blankly my gaze came to rest over the windowsill.

I froze for a moment, then started to melt. There, outside my window, was not one goldfinch but an entire flock! They covered the feeders, the hedges, the guy wire on the power pole. It was an explosion of yellow. Never have I seen so many goldfinches in one place and never have I seen that many since.

In that moment I knew without a doubt that God had answered my prayer. Hope was restored, faith was resurrected and I knew the truth.

Now when circumstances challenge and test my faith I know He is with me. The following verse girds me and gives me hope:

“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

(Lamentations 3:19-23 NIV)

This is the direction I received to find my way out of the pit. And I want you to know that if you too find yourself looking for a pinpoint of light in the darkness, be encouraged. He is right there beside you and will help you find your way. And if there is any way that I can pray for you, let me know. It would be an honour and a privilege. We are in this journey together.

 

Sharon Heagy writes from the wonderful town of Rockglen, Saskatchewan, where she lives with her husband, a big dog and furry cats. She writes to bring hope and humour to a world that needs both. She can be reached at sharonheagy@gmail.com

Thanks for taking the time to visit today. God bless.

 

Hear the Forgotten Voices by Alan Anderson

 

"[B]ut Jesus said, “Let the little children come

to me and do not hinder them, for to such

belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:14 ESV

A Brief Background

Since retiring from my work as a chaplain in healthcare in 2017, God has blessed me as a writer. I had the honour of contributing stories and poems to four books plus a series of articles to FellowScript Magazine. This honour continues as I am privileged to be a monthly contributor to our InScribe Blog.

My intent in stating this is not pride, but thankfulness toward God and the writers who encouraged me. I have yet to publish my first solo-authored book. Lord willing, I will.

I wrote my InScribe blog post of June 22, 2021 with a particular group of people in mind. They are grandparents who grieve the death of their grandchildren. They will also be the focus of my first book, Lord willing. Grandparents who grieve continue to be those whose voices have gained little attention from society. The idea for this book germinated in 2017 when I co-authored the book, Good Grief People, published by Angel Hope Publishing.

A Determined Focus

In June 2008, when my wife and I attended the Scottish Highland Games event in Coquitlam, B.C., our daughter told us devastating news. While bagpipes played in the background and Scottish dancers entertained nearby, our daughter approached us. She said, “Mom and Dad, I lost my baby.” The news stunned us into silence. We hugged her as she cried.

My daughter “lost” four babies altogether. One of my daughters-in-law also suffered a pregnancy loss. Numerous women, both young and mature, have recounted tales of infant loss to me over the years.

A common theme I gleaned from grandparents, especially grandmothers, is that they believe they must be “strong” for their families. Their view is by being strong, they will not give further upset to the grieving parents or other family members. They remain strong, but in reality, suppress their own honest expressions of their grief. Grandparents tell me they grieve in private, and their voices are often silent. People do not hear silent voices.

Regardless of what our grief-fearing or grief-evading culture says, to be “strong” in our grief is to express it in an honest manner. Grandparents possess the right to express sorrow openly. Society and especially other family members must not forget their voices and their utterances of grief.

A Voice Forgotten No More

In my experience of listening to grandparents who grieve over the death of their grandchildren, their words are poetic utterances. They are honest, although few in their expressions of their grief.

The original title of the book was Plant Them a Garden: A Reflective Work of Grief, Faith, and Poetry. A number of InScribe members liked the title, as did I. As time went on, however, and I heard more grief stories, I kept hearing, “We don’t have a voice.” After consulting with a few people, including other writers, I proposed another title. I am calling the book Forgotten Voices: Poetic Utterances of Grandparent Grief. This title is direct and concise.

While scanning through book topics and titles on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca I noticed there is not a lot written about grandparent grief. I pondered this reality, but the words, the voices of grandparents, encouraged me to persevere. Such platforms as Amazon seem to say grandparent grief is not marketable. Regardless, I focus on the voices of grandparents. Society overlooks their mourning and forgets their voices. I don’t.

I pray that the forgotten voices of grieving grandparents will soon reach someone's ears. Someday, only God knows when, I'll see my five grandchildren in heaven. Until then, I hope and pray, in my little way, to be one voice of those too often forgotten.

In Deroche, British Columbia, Alan shares his home with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. Alan and Terry are grandparents of six grandchildren plus five grandbabies in heaven. Alan enjoys walking on the dike near his home, with trees all around and where he finds inspiration to write. He has occasionally written articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan’s website and blog are https://scarredjoy.ca. He also writes on Substack.

My First Book by Steph Beth Nickel

 

Not That First Book

When I read the prompt for this month's posts, "tell us about your first book," I, like many writers, thought of my first (and as of yet, only) published book.

But then I thought, "No, the first book that I shared with others goes back many, many, many, many years."

When I was in school... (I can't remember if it was elementary or secondary school.) Way back then, one of our assignments was to write, illustrate, and produce a board book for young children.

I can still remember how I felt when my book was chosen as one to be displayed in our school library. It still brings a smile to my face decades later.

Books & I Go W-a-y Back

My mom loved books. Although my dad didn't read as much, he, too, was a reader.

It's no wonder I can remember many of the books I read as a child and some that my mom read to me.

Each Christmas my mom would read The First Noel and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to me. I'm sure she read many others throughout the year, but I remember those two distinctly.

P. D. Eastman books, such as Go, Dog. Go!, Sam and the Firefly, and Are You My Mother were among my favourites. They were part of the "I Can Read It All By Myself" series, published by Dr. Seuss. I also had several more books in the series.

And like many young girls, I read a plethora of Nancy Drew books. This is where I first learned about including cliffhangers at the end of a chapter. It was also where I picked up the just-one-more-chapter philosophy of reading.

As the Years Went By

Reading (and writing) remained an important part of my life until, ironically, I attended Bible College. Because our Required Reading List was so long, it was over a year and a half after I left college that I picked up a book just for the sheer pleasure of doing so.

Over the years, I've written several articles; dozens of blog posts, poems, and devotionals; a number of unpublished picture book manuscripts; and at least a couple of partially finished fiction manuscripts. Additionally, I coauthored Paralympian Deb Willows' first memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances. We are currently working on a follow-up volume, tentatively titled Keep Looking Up.

Currently, I post to Substack one to two times per week. On Mondays, I publish a chapter of the YA (young adult) manuscript I'm working on, and on Fridays, I post devotionals based on the gospel of John that I originally wrote for HopeStreamRadio.

From Board Books to...

While some writers "stay in their lane," this isn't in my nature. And that's okay.

Do I plan to publish my YA novel and a selection of the devotionals I've written? I do.

Would I like to publish some children's books? I would.

Will I continue to write blog posts and other short pieces? I would imagine so.

Whatever I end up writing and putting out into the world, it had its foundation in a little purple board book displayed in a country school library way back when.

Steph Beth Nickel is the former Editor of FellowScript and the current InScribe Contest Coordinator. Steph is an editor and author and plans to relocate to Saskatchewan from Ontario to be close to family in 2027, Lord willing. (Headshot Photo Credit: Jaime Mellor Photography)

An Interview about a First Book by Sandi Somers

 

Interviewer: Greetings, everyone. Today we have a special guest, Sandra K. Somers, commonly known as Sandi, to talk about her first published book, Divine Encounters: 21 Stories of God’s Miraculous Ways. 

INT: The title sounds intriguing. Tell us what the book is about.

SKS: These personal stories illustrate how God often comes to us in ways that surprise and inspire us. Then I follow each narrative with a meditation, reflection questions to journal, and a prayer.

INT: The dramatist Jennifer Lee said, "Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire." What set you on fire to write this book?

SKS: While living in Colombia, South America, I read how Paul Freed developed his Trans World Radio in the late 1950s and early 60s—a station I listened to—and how God provided $500,000 in six months to set up a station in Monte Carlo, Europe ($5 million in today’s exchange rate!). Amazing! I realized God could do so much more in my life than small requests that I had made—and I began to seek God’s abundance. From there, I wrote to encourage readers to invite the Lord into their situations and believe He could do more, so much more for them.

INT: People are always fascinated by where authors get their ideas. How did your inspiration come about?

SKS: I was in Edmonton visiting a friend and a cousin, and in between I visited the Conservatories. While enjoying the different plant environments, ideas began bubbling up, and so I listed a number of new stories/devos and some shorter versions which had been published in devotional books.

INT: I’m fascinated to know why you chose 21 stories? Not 31 nor 51…

SKS: I began aiming for 75, but in drafting I ran out of ideas by about #60 and couldn’t discover more. A coach advised me to break down the project into a more manageable size—about 21 stories per book. It was a much better process and enabled me to work within a tighter theme.

INT: Yes, we often have to adapt our plans. What other challenges or difficulties arose while writing this book?

SKS: After the stories and devos were written and edited, I had the more tedious task of reviewing and rereading each story, cross-checking for appropriate and duplicate Scriptures—and I stalled. The Lord had to nudge me to quit procrastinating.

INT: God sometimes has to prompt us to keep us following His plans. Now in contrast, what positive things did you learn about the writing process?

Mostly I was so aware of how God brings people into my life when needs arise. Feedback from my local InScribe writers’ group members was invaluable as they critiqued articles, then became beta readers and editors—and even a formatter and publisher! I gained new appreciation for their own gifts and talents.  

INT: In what ways did writing change you? What surprised you most?

SKS: I had two major “Aha” moments. One was to pay attention to moments where God is active. In one story, I write about how a friend told me she was praying for me at the exact time I needed help. If I hadn’t paid attention to the connection, I might have just said, “Thanks for praying.”

The second major discovery was that we have a creative God. Several stories point to how He sometimes answers our requests in ways we can’t imagine.

INT: Do you have plans for writing another book?

SKS: Actually, I have plans for several more, and I’ve asked the Lord to help me finish what I believe He’s calling me to write.

I’m deep into my second book, The Obstacle Is the Way: 21 Stories of Meeting Life’s Challenges. The writing is going much faster this time.

INT: Tell me more. What is making the difference?

SKS: With Diving Encounters taking so long, I’m learning to give myself a deadline to complete it. Yet I know that in summer months my writing slows down because I’m busier with outside activities, visiting others, and travelling. I also decided to give myself extra breathing room in case health, family issues, or other emergencies demand my time and energy. I’ve had to move my deadline to mid-September.

Another process is to combine the creative work of writing and editing with the more tedious tasks of checking Scriptures that apply, choosing the front and back matter, and developing the introduction as I go along. This synthesis has really helped to speed things up!

INT: There’s such an emphasis on marketing these days. Tell me how you’re getting your work into the public.

I’ll admit it is a challenge. Yet the morning after my book went live on Amazon, the Lord gave me a special verse: "As thou goest, step by step, I will open up the way before thee" (paraphrase of Proverbs 4:12 NKJV). God has given me ideas and opportunities.

INT: This has been an enlightening conversation, Sandra/Sandi. What advice can you give your readers?

SKS: God has great plans for you and gives you a vision of what He wants you to write.  Thank God for that vision and work towards unleashing your dreams.

But more: pray into that vision. Invest deeply in your spiritual life, Scripture reading, and prayer to receive His wisdom and words.

 And finally, I’m reminded of the Lord’s promise: “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6 NLT).

The Lord knows how many books we can write, and I have confidence that He will complete His purposes for all of us.

INT: Thank you for this interview, Sandra/Sandi. I look forward to reading your second and future books as they are published. 

Sandi Somers’ writing passion is to help readers grow their faith in Jesus, including their vision of what God wants them to be and do. She writes of her love of nature, gardening, travel, and family in several genres—devotionals, personal essays, and Biblical fiction. Sandi lives in Calgary, Alberta, the delightful city between the Rocky Mountains and the Prairies.

Book of a Lifetime ~ Valerie Ronald

 

I remember the smell and feel of the new school scribbler on the desk in my childhood bedroom. Within its blue cover, blank pages waited to receive my first attempt at writing a book. I was eight years old. Now that I could read and print, I was eager to record the story swirling around in my head. Determined to fill the notebook, I laboured with my limited vocabulary to describe scenes of a log cabin and the family living in it, especially a girl just my age. My stubby pencil hardly kept up with her adventures pouring out of my mind. The notebook was never filled as my focus moved on to some other childhood interest, but I remember the excitement of creating a whole world from my imagination. 

Throughout my school years and post secondary education in journalism, writing was my passion. I planned to make it my career and hoped someday to publish a book. I worked for a few years in my chosen field but too soon marriage and a growing family took over. I barely had time or energy to journal occasionally, never mind write a book.

Fast forward fifty years and finally the dream is becoming a reality. My first book will soon be launched. Each Shining Moment is a devotional compilation of my many moments of lingering in God’s light. They comprise a lifetime of experiences and lessons gleaned from my walk with God and time in His Word. But it is not the book I thought I would write when I first dreamed of being published so many years ago. I imagined a work of fiction with exciting characters, vivid settings, and a riveting plot. God was not included in the story then.

It wasn’t until life became hard that I knew I needed to include God. I struggled in a painful marriage, raising my children alone while my husband pursued his own adventures, eventually abandoning his family. Then came a time of clinging to God through the deep valley of a cancer diagnosis and an uncertain future. I am so thankful God renewed my health and brought me to a place of peace and blessing, giving me an opportunity to finally write a book.

Now I realize that the book I was meant to write needed to rise from the ashes of adversity so others could hopefully identify and learn from what God taught me. Looking back over the deep truths God instilled in me in those hard places, I see His perfect timing and wisdom in having me wait until my senior years to write this book.

It is not about me. It is all about Him. 

"Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips."  Hosea 14:2 NIV
 

 Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk. 

The Power of Words by Carol Harrison

 
We know the power of words. They can encourage or defeat us; tear down or build up. My writing journey towards my first book includes both.

As a child and teen, I enjoyed reading and writing but never thought beyond short stories, paragraphs, and school reports. I enjoyed the research and creativity. In grade 12, the teacher asked us to write a short story. I wrote one called, “The Rebel” and worked hard on edits and more edits. I typed it out and handed it in, pleased with the result. My paper came back with very few red marks on it and a very good mark. Yet the teacher had written one sentence at the bottom, “unrealistic point of view.” That one comment negated the great mark on the front of the paper, at least in my mind.

The next year in first year English at university, the first report I handed in came back with a failing grade. I made arrangements to chat with the professor and find out what I did wrong and how I could improve.

His answer, “You’re in university. You should know!”

Those two incidents made me believe I couldn’t write. I decided to stuff my love of writing deep down inside and tell no one about it. I’d hand in assignments done to the best of my ability and that’s it. I didn’t even want to journal. But I did continue to read and enjoy other peoples’ writing.

Decades later, my husband, Brian, told me, “You should write Amee’s story.”

My response came quick and firm, “I can’t write!”

He continued to ask, nag, cajole. The word I used to describe his encouragement depended on how I felt at that moment. I kept insisting I couldn’t write. I didn’t know how. I’d never told him why I believed that. He didn’t believe in my lack of ability and continued to try and encourage me.

 
More time passed and I gave in and began but deleted just as many times. Then Amee began begging me to write her story so people would understand about her and that God works in our lives. Now I had two people encouraging me to write.

 
I began to sort through reports and daytimers and any place I had information on the journey we’d been on. I researched and reminisced. I organized chronologically. Then I began to write a memoir once again. I got bogged down and discouraged.

 
My friend told me about a one-day writers’ conference in Saskatoon. My response, “It wouldn’t be for me. I’m not a writer.”

Her reply, “It says it’s for everyone.”

With her encouragement and Brian’s as well, I moved outside my comfort zone and went. That day I learned lots from the presenters and met so many wonderful people. Encouragers. Presenters. Published authors. I heard about a monthly meeting of Christian writers in the city and finally became brave enough to attend a meeting. Eventually I allowed myself to be vulnerable and read what I had begun. I asked for help because I felt stuck.

 
A published author who attended asked if I really wanted an honest critique. I agreed I needed that. She said, “If this is to go beyond family, cut this and this and start here. Then she walked away.

 
On the way home, after fussing a bit about her answer, I decided to start a new word document and begin where she suggested. If I didn’t like it, I could revert to my original draft. It worked. I became unstuck and the words began to flow. Finally, I had a finished manuscript ready for multiple rounds of edits.

My first book, Amee’s Story was published in January of 2010. God has used it to touch many people over the years. The writing continued since then as well. It felt like floodgates had been opened. I’m grateful for the writers of InScribe who have helped and encouraged me in my journey and shown me the power of encouraging words.

Carol Harrison has written a variety of things since publishing that first book in 2010 from her home in Saskatoon. She appreciates learning first hand the power of words and welcomes the encouraging ones to offset those we find ourselves believing that are discouraging.

First Book? by Lorilee Guenter

 

This month we were asked to consider our first book. The book that I am stalling on sending to an editor immediately came to mind. I have received feedback on it, and I've almost finished reworking the awkward sections. I have read it aloud to myself so I could identify jarring sentences and disjointed thoughts. But then I stopped mere chapters before I finished this revision. In doing so, I have a reason that keeps me from contacting an editor. The novel is not finished.

The more I thought about the question, the more I found myself reconsidering what a first book might be. Indeed there are other "books." None of them are cohesive enough to continue revising, for now. I may return to the ideas and characters at some time in the future. It would require a major rewrite to get them into a polished form. But they are still books, hidden on my shelf. They have structure and character.

I contemplate further and remember my first time participating in NaNoWriMo (national novel writing month). It was November 2014 . I wrote 50,000 words as I followed a main character. Is it a book when the best next step is to chop it into the start of a few short stories? Maybe. Would I want anyone to read it in its current form? Absolutely not! Do I want to reread it for any gems hidden inside? Not at this time.

Then I considered the novels I have in various stages of completion, the reflections I have been encouraged to gather into a book and various short stories hidden on my computer (or on scraps of paper) one of them must be the first book. Then I remembered I started writing an outline for a mystery near the end of grade 8. I was making notes on setting and character. I did not have or take opportunity to put flesh on the story. We moved. It got stored with school papers and other things we didn't have room for in our much smaller home. Mice moved into the storage container, and my story became material for a mouse nest. Perhaps it is for the best. I've learned a lot about crafting a story in the decades since then.

So far my first book is unpublished. If these early attempts count, my first book will never be published. However, I may yet publish something. It might be a novel, or it might be one of the collections I've been encouraged to consider. In the meantime I'll keep writing. I have to. It is one of the ways I process everything I am currently learning. It is one of the ways I process my place in God's larger story. While I may not know what my first book is, there is no uncertainty about God's story.

Lorilee Guenter enjoys gardening, reading and more. During the summer, her and her husband often hit the trails at nearby parks. He carries a camera. She carries a sketchbook. She never thought she'd write a book. 

Thank you, Mrs. Lowry by Michelle Joy Teigrob

 

My first book came out when I was 12 years old, thanks to my Grade 8 English teacher, Mrs. Lowry, who chose to notice and respond to two needy students in her class.

My twin, Maria, and I had recently immigrated to Canada. The experience of culture shock entwined with pre-teen hormones meant we had entered the most excruciating time of our lives yet. We were probably the most painfully shy, awkward, freckle-faced girls our teacher had ever met.

Overwhelmed, resentful, flailing to find a place to belong, we turned to the greatest solace of our lives at the time – books. Maria and I read obsessively in those years. Anne of Green Gables was a lifeline. I honestly can’t imagine how we would have coped during that period of emotional upheaval without the ability to read.

(I teach new immigrants to read now, people who never learned what letters mean, even in their first language. Perhaps my junior high experience is part of the reason I am so passionate about this work.)

With her bright red lipstick, dangling gold earrings, and heels, Mrs. Lowry was unlike any of the teachers we’d experienced in our small, rural school in Belize. She laughed and spoke loudly, enjoyed the Cats musical immensely, and planned to move west shortly to be with her second husband after a failed first marriage.

Mrs. Lowry gave us a writing project – a story birthed from our own imaginations. All the Grade 8 students would have been required to complete it, of course. Breathlessly inspired by our Lucy Maud Montgomery books consumption, my twin and I took to the task as if we had been asked to save the world.

Intoxicated by the joy of creation, we planned and wrote and planned some more with possibly greater intensity than our heroine author ever did. We did so for our own sakes, not with the goal of getting the highest grade or becoming world-famous, but because we came alive as we wrote.

Mrs. Lowry decided our stories – both mine and my twin’s – needed to be published. Perhaps the tales showed some flair, though both of us cringed later to reread them. My twin even went so far as to destroy her copy some years afterward, she was so embarrassed by it. Certainly, the stories weren’t good enough to warrant the extra cost and work to get them typed up and hard-bound.

At the time, however, we were overjoyed. Our stories would be published! The winner of a lottery could not be as happy as we were on learning this news. I felt as though my bliss lifted me above the ground for weeks. My culture shock and pre-teen hormonal troubles shrank to almost nothing during that period.

I firmly believe this is why Mrs. Lowry decided to put in the extra work and cost to publish our stories – she noticed the struggle of two new students, and she decided to do what she could to bring just a bit more joy into their lives.

Thank you and bless you, Mrs. Lowry. Your kindness will always be remembered.

Michelle Joy Teigrob is an author, college instructor, mom of three, and wife of one. She grew up as a missionary kid in Belize, Central America, the youngest of 10 children. In addition to her twin’s death, she has since lived through the loss of two other sisters. Michelle is launching a blog on her journey through her wrenching sadness. Visit www.michellejoybooks.ca to learn more.

With Joyful Hearts by Peggianne Wright

When the Advent Season approaches every year, there's a certain feeling or emotion that begins to well up inside me and I begin to feel like my heart will burst from my chest. The same goes when I read a verse in the book of Luke; Chapter 10, verse 27. And because of that, there's a longing to share this feeling with all those around me. So, in 2024, one late autumn day, I sat at my computer, I thought about the time left on the calendar before Christmas and my first published book, With Joyful Hearts, was born.

Earlier in 2024, I produced—entirely in-house—a Lenten reading plan and study guide. It was developed from a Bible study my friend from Arizona and I had done together via Zoom during Covid. Relatively successful, I had unknowingly laid the groundwork for my introduction as an author in the world of self-publishing including two Advent devotionals (with two more planned in the series of four), an updated and expanded version of the "homemade" Lenten devotional, and two K9 related books that had been in the works for many years.

I confess that I struggle with imposter's syndrome; especially when I hear someone say, "Oh, you're self-published." The funny thing is, I've never approached a book project with the focus on sales or perceived success. My love for writing and teaching and inspiring is the root and foundation for all the books, devotional pieces, and stories I've written. God blessed me with a creative eye, a desire to do these things, and the gift to string words together in a meaningful way. Success to me is holding a real book in my hand and knowing it is my work. Success to me is a message from that one person to say my words were meaningful to them in some small way.

Each book I have written has taught me something new about myself both as a writer and a human. The technical skills I gain with each project help me to elevate and improve on the next. But, the lessons I experience in patience, grace, and humility benefit me in all aspects of life. The frustrating technical issues, the compliments from a reader, and the joy of seeing the overwhelming success of a fellow writer all help me learn and grow.

I have been further blessed to receive invitations from my church seniors’ fellowship to speak about my books and share the messages I’ve written.

As I continue to work on the many writing projects I have planned, I do so, not in pursuit of fame and fortune; if God intends that for me someday, then okay. But, in the meantime, I write books and devotionals to provide encouragement and enjoyment to the few who read them.

So, as the calendar turns to July, my thoughts turn to Advent—yes, Christmas in July—and I will begin work on the third book in my Luke 10 Advent Series. With Ardent Strength: Experiencing the Blessings of Advent will become my focus over the next while, pouring my heart and soul into its every page. And when the calendar pages fall away, the feeling of Advent will once again fill me and, I hope, you too, With Joyful Hearts.

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'" (Luke 10:27 NIV)

Peggianne Wright is a published author and is the founder of the pet parent ministry Paws To Pray, blending her passion for the Lord and all-things-K9 to form this unique, faith-based community. Peggianne is an ardent Bible study student, devoted dog mom, wife of 44 years, and lover of music. Her blogs Spiritual Scribbles and Fur-Kid Fanatics can be found on her website www.PawsToPray.ca and you can follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PawsToPray/ and on IG @Sister_In_Prayer.

A Labour of Love by Bob Jones

The July writing prompt was to share about the first book I wrote and published.

My experience is summed up in four words – A Labour Of Love.

A Lifetime 

Rare is the gift of undeserved presence. As a pastor of thousands of people, there are those who entered my life for a moment, and some for a season, all for a reason, but few for a lifetime. Kristen Miller Fersovitch was for a lifetime.

Thirty-six years ago, our family arrived in Edmonton in August fresh from Montreal, the newest additions to a pastoral staff in a historic church. A portion of my role was to provide Christian education opportunities, especially for children. One of those children was eight years old, a peer to our eldest son, and part of our Sunday School. We had no idea then the incredible influence she would become.

Kristen was born into a musical family with parents who travelled North America, so it was quite natural for her to take centre stage in kids choir presentations, church worship teams, and as a featured soloist in musical performances. She was precocious, strong-willed, a competitive athlete, believer, and fiercely loyal to her younger sister and friends. She was a bit of a handful during her teenage and young adult years, but settled quickly after marrying the love of her life, a fireman and giving birth to three wonderful sons.

Cancer 

You can only imagine the devastation of a diagnosis of cancer, all that this horrible affliction brings, and then a second diagnosis of terminal cancer at the age of 28. She had just delivered their third son, and her eldest son was only five. Prayer, fasting, medical intervention, juicing, trips south of the border for special treatment, and more prayer from around the world, could not keep death at bay from her bedside.

She won the hearts of Edmontonians with her tenacious battle during radiation treatments, losing her hair but never her smile, singing at Christmas on the largest stage in the city in front of thousands with a scarf covering the effects of the radiation. She was candid and bold in publicly sharing her faith, along with producing a CD of songs she wrote about God in her journey. Her voice is still one of my favourites and I can't hear it without tearing up. And I was only her pastor, invited into private, precious moments of family time during her courageous struggle. I never felt I did enough.

When she passed away on Thanksgiving weekend, 2013, her celebration of life was held in the largest church in the city, covered by major news networks, and eulogized by the most popular news anchor in Edmonton, one of many who had become her friend.

During the years of her cancer journey, the most asked questions were, “How does Kristen do it? How does she stay so joyful, optimistic, and hopeful amid such a painful struggle?”

In 2015, the first book I published was in answer to those questions. 

Ornament 

The book was a specially crafted, gift-sized, hard cover, with interior artistry provided by a friend of the family, featuring colour pictures of her life, family, and ministry. The title, Ornament, was the inspiration of another of her friends, because like an Christmas tree ornament, Kristen was “on display for all to see”. Her family gave me permission to include her writing, and her husband wrote the final chapter. Each chapter concludes with a reflection and simple direction about developing a personal faith in Jesus just like Kristen’s.

Kristen was real, far from perfect, but a testament to trusting God even with the struggles of leaving her young family. Carrie Doll of CTV summed up the feelings of so many in her tribute in the book: “She was beautiful and real and funny. She challenged us to live the best life we can—in the face of tragedy, in the face of despair. Not by telling us to, but by leading by example.”

Ornament (access the book on Amazon) caught on and became a Canadian bestseller and was awarded the most inspiring story of 2015 by the Word Guild. Readers loved her story and sent messages of the moving and transformative effect of the book.

All the proceeds from the sale of Ornament: The Faith, Hope and Joy of Kristen Fersovitch, went towards building a trust fund for the post-secondary education of her sons.

Kristen often said during the toughest times, “Even if He doesn’t heal me and I die, I will trust Him.” 

She would want you to know that and to live by that faith, hope, and joy.

Thank you for reading. I would love to connect in the comment section. God bless.