He is all powerful; I am weak. He is all-knowing; I am limited. He is ever present; I am perishing.
His holiness exposes the sin seeping into every chamber of my heart. Easily deceived, my tendency to wander leads me to worthless idols.
Again and again.
Yet, the Shepherd seeks the sheep and becomes the bridge that spans the gap between us. He relentlessly calls my name. He guides me to Living Water, inviting me to drink and never thirst again.
Because He loves me.
He was already there—in the beginning—and will be forever. His words breathe life and are life.
I love to write. These last few years have brought great joy as I’ve seen fruit grow after years of hard work. However lately, I’ve been evaluating the good things in my life and how all good things remain good things only when they stay in the right place in my life. A recent “time out” from fictional writing has proven to be a beneficial pause and reminder to me that occasional distance from the activities I love is healthy and good.
Consider 3 reasons why you should take a break from your passions:
Anything can become an idol
Anything, even good things, like writing to express my love for the Lord, can sneak into that space in my heart reserved for the Lord. Writing about God should never replace personal time spent with Him. Studying His Word should never become about finding material for a devotional or a growth arch for a character. I strive to know Him better and grow in love for Him because He is worthy of my praise and adoration. That is why I enter into His presence.
A well-rounded life is healthier, less stressful, and honestly – more fun
I’ve observed that closing the laptop, getting off the office chair, getting my nose out from under a pile of notes and papers improves my attitude, patience, and over all health. It is good to go for a walk / jog / bike ride. It is good to spend time with the real people living in my house and give them 100% of my attention. It is good to feel the warmth of the sun on my face, laugh with my children, stay up late or get up early just because. There is more to life than work and hobbies.
Real people are more important
That deserves a repeat because it is easy to say but also easy to forget. Real people are more important than the stuff you’re saving your money to buy, more important than the book you want to finish reading, more important than the training schedule you want to keep, more important than the blog post you are reading right now <grin>. For me, real people are more important than the make believe ones I create in my stories.
Maybe you’re not a writer. Maybe your passion is running, cooking, reading, playing an instrument, fitness, home decor, crafting, gaming, or anything else that might bring a person pleasure. It really doesn’t matter what “thing” fills your spare time, the truth still remains. Guard yourself against making it an idol. Keep God, and your time with Him, first. Balance your life by first meeting daily with Him, then exercising, easting healthy, and engaging with the people around you because real people—relationships—are more important than that hobby. And the most important relationship is the one you have with God.
If your passion has slowly overtaken your thoughts, time and attention, perhaps it is time to force it back into its rightful place. Sometimes, a break is good.
I am so excited to release the trailer for The Builder’s Reluctant Bride. As I move into the final month before the book release, I’m asking for your prayers.
It would be easy to get swept up in the promotion and fun of releasing my first novel, and some of that is great. In fact, much of that is great. But my heart, at its core, is so sinful and prideful that I know I need your prayers to navigate this stretch well, to pursue humility in these upcoming weeks, and to direct all praise and glory to the Lord.
I’m asking you, my readers, friends, and family, to commit to praying that my heart and mind remain centred on Christ, and that no matter how big or little a splash this book makes in the ocean of literature available to the public, that God would use my offering bring glory and fame to His name. This is my desire.
I hope you enjoy the contests in July and take part for the chance to win some special items made especially for this release, but above all that, know that more than following me on social networks, more than buying my book, more than anything else, I covet your prayers and would be encouraged to know you are interceding on my behalf. Thanks for reading, praying, and watching the super trailer made by my favourite brother-in-law.
July 08, 2016 celebrates the release of The Builder’s Reluctant Bride and one lucky reader will win this beautiful handmade bracelet! Follow Stacey on social media to be sure you receive the contest details, made available in July.
This bracelet required a few simple supplies from the craft store:
I designed the order of the trinkets in a meaningful way, and when you read my story in The Builder’s Reluctant Bride, you’ll understand why love, hope, and faith matter to me.
Stacey is busy writing her third novel, so she made me the new host of Makeover Monday. I reside in the fictional town of Bayview, Michigan, and Pelican Book Group is releasing my story, The Builder’s Reluctant Bride, on July 08, 2016.
Make sure you follow Stacey on all her social media sites. When my story is released in July, Stacey is hosting a MONTH of giveaways. You won’t want to miss out on these great prizes.
It’s been the kind of week that didn’t allow for writing because it required more praying. What joy is found in praying Scripture and depending on the words of God.
Hear our prayers, O Lord. Give ear to our pleas for mercy. In your faithfulness, answer us. The enemy is pursuing us, distracting us, and trying to crush life to the ground. He is trying to force us to sit in darkness like those long dead. He wants our spirit faint. He wants us to forget Your goodness and be fearful.
But, we remember. We remember what You have done before and know You can do it again. You created us. You have brought us from death to life. We meditate on Your provision and ponder the works of Your hands. We stretch out our hands to You asking, begging for Your mercy on our families, our church, and our lives. Answer us quickly, O Lord. Hide not Your face from us. For Your name’s sake, provide for our needs and teach us to let go of our wants. Go before us. Remain beside us. Be our God in such a powerful way we will know You are with us and, as a result, we will turn toward You in our time of need, trusting in You.
Hear our prayers, O Lord. Let our cry come to You. Do not hide your face from us in the day of distress. Incline Your ear to us and answer us speedily. Nothing is impossible for You. You set the earth on its foundations so it should never be moved. The waters stood above the mountains and at Your rebuke they fled; at the sound of Your thunder they took flight. The mountains rose and the valleys sank down to the place that You appointed for them. You made springs gush forth. The earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
You made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and Your outstretched arm. O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts, You are great in counsel and mighty in deed. Your eyes are open to our deeds. We know we are not worthy to ask anything of You, but because of Christ, we can boldly approach Your throne and plead for grace and mercy. Show Your power and might in marvellous ways.
