immeasurably more
It started 10 years ago.
Looking back, I can see how God had been planting seeds of writing in my heart since I was a little girl, but it was a shock to me when I finally accepted the call.
Had my circumstances been any different at the time, I highly doubt I would ever grabbed hold of writing. But I had offered God my ashes, and writing was the avenue he chose to bring about great beauty.
“You should write a book.”
I heard the comment from many people. I didn’t see a book in the works, but the thought never left my mind. For most of the decade, I convinced myself writing a book was rooted in selfish motives but the truth was if I never wrote a book, I would never face failure or the sting of a rejected book.
Countless women have come to me over the last decade and asked for help and advice. They’ve wondered what I did to find joy and life on the other side of divorce. How did I survive the devastating blow? And if it wasn’t a woman going through a divorce, it was a friend or family member seeking advice on how to minister to someone going through a divorce.
I felt alone as I walked through divorce. I was young, losing my marriage at the time most of my friends were saying “I do.” And the few women I knew who had been through a divorce didn’t want to broach the subject. I get it, there’s pain involved. It’s easier to keep that door closed. Plus, there’s really no easy way to heal from such a blow – holding fast to Jesus was what got me through.
But there is power in stories. We read stories of other’s lives and we are reminded of God’s goodness. We see his faithfulness play out before our eyes as we wait for him to move in our own situation. We hold out hope, knowing that if God can do such a thing for them – there is no limit to what he can do for us.
Because God is the great story teller. The author and perfector. And we are the characters, the very people he is using to bring glory to His name.
So three weeks from today, I board a plane to Tennessee to attend a writing intensive. Not only will I be learning from the best of the best, I’ll have the opportunity to share my story. My little chapters that are so near and dear to my heart. The very story I have not only labored over but lived out.
A story full of twists and turns, tears and laughter, but most of all, a story full of God’s kindness and grace. An adventure, that I pray, God will use to bless many people who are starting down the path I’ve already walked. Those who are holding out hope that God will do immeasurably more than they could ask or imagine.
