God’s Big Ask
All the anticipation, all the countdowns, all the preparation, sleepless nights, hours staring at jumbled words on a screen, and the whispered prayers through gritted teeth have led to this moment. Publication day!
I can officially edit my title from writer to author.
Today, my book God’s Big Ask is available to the world.
That sentence almost feels untrue. Were it not for all the work put into this, I would have difficulty believing this dream has become a reality. Yet, here it is.
When I began this journey in April 2021, a Scripture verse was shared with me through the writing team I was working with. “Be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Throughout the process of writing and publishing this book, there were countless times when I felt the work was in vain. I also often felt less than excellent, less than worthy of putting words to a page that would eventually speak to the lives of others. But God has a way of superseding our incorrect thoughts and displaying His grace. He has a way of reminding us about His big asks and our desperate need to remain steadfast through the process.
The process sure doesn’t end today. In fact, seasoned authors will tell you that the real work begins now - all the marketing, traveling, speaking, advertising, selling, etc. Before I pick up the rest of the process and labor for the Lord in that manner, I want to pause and express my gratitude.
God, you’ve been so faithful through this. You downloaded inspiration, You supplied new thoughts, saw every tear, heard every fear, and received every desperate prayer. Thank you for being my Rescuer in every sacrifice, in all my suffering, and throughout every silent season.
Launch team, you’ve blown my mind. Without prompting, you have emailed encouragement, you have shared on social media, you have read words on small screens, and some of you purchased the book before I was even out of bed this morning. I am grateful for your reviews but I am more grateful for your support.
Readers, thank you for subscribing to this blog. Twice a month you choose to open an email. I pray when you do so that you are met with anointed words that speak to your moment, your place, and your heart. I believe God uses all of us to speak life into another - sometimes this is spoken to us through blogs by strangers. Knowing this possibility gives me life and helps me continue to push towards excelling in the Lord’s work.
I am pleased with a dream fulfilled but I wait in anticipation now to see where God takes this. This book is raw. I do not sugar-coat. I cannot live in a false reality that everything will get better because we know, on this side of heaven, there will always be disappointment, pain, and angst. This book peels back the layers of pat-Christian responses to desperate situations. I flat-out state that there are times when others show up in our messes only to smear uncompassionate truth in our faces. We need to know it is okay to show up without an armory of “this too shall pass” and be able to sit in the shattered shards and weep. It is okay to tell God that you are disappointed, on the brink of bitterness, and that you are questioning His plans and purpose. You will read about cancer, infertility, suicide, mental health, natural disasters, home break-ins, and other unfair realities that Christians suffer through. As you read, you should see my brokenness and hear my pain. But as you read, you should also see that my brokenness and pain are not permanent labels. They are blips on my timeline but they do not define me. There is a Hope that sustains and perseveres through every season of suffering and silence. Great joy can be found even in the rubble. Practiced yesses can lead to perfect breakthroughs. Every wasteland can be redeemed and transformed into a “worthy wonderland.”
As you read God’s Big Ask, I pray that the Holy Spirit prepares your heart and mind for the work He wants to do in you. I pray that you are receptive to small steps of courage, small gasps for hope. Every small yes to God multiplies into meaningful and impactful completions. May you release your pain to Him and walk in this, “We have a choice in our suffering to surrender to the suffocation of the enemy or surrender to the One who will sustain us and sanctify us as our circumstances fall under His authority” (Chapter 9). I believe that in your reading, you will realize something new about yourself, your circumstances, and your God.
Happy Reading my friends.
Please reach out and let me know about the big asks and big answers in your life. I would love to pray for you and encourage you to keep taking small gasps and small steps, and to listen to His small but powerful whisper.
You can purchase the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKHY7KM
Until next time my friends,
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