Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps.
Have you ever had your plans waylaid? My life has felt that way for a long time. I had to “retire” early from being a psychologist after 25 years because of Rheumatoid Arthritis. But God has a plan for each of us, and He has shown that to me in my writing career.
In the past four years I’ve been dealing with the inability to walk properly, without intense pain, because of Achilles tendon problems. I had surgery a year ago, which failed to correct the issue so in March 2015, I had a PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) procedure that was giving me great results. I was walking more, I was coming out of my orthopedic boot, and going to events I’d not been able to attend. Just prior to that PRP procedure, I’d completed the second book in The Christy Lumber Camp Series and was in prayer about how to promote the upcoming release, The Lumberjacks’ Ball. I wanted to be obedient to God.
The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
I “knew” what I needed to do as far as marketing, but I kept feeling like God was holding me back, and I wanted to obey. So I needed to trust Him rather than jumping on the promotion treadmill. As the co-leader of the Tidewater North Christian Fiction Group, I was also trying to set up our Spring meeting, with a special guest photographer--but that whole plan was NOT coming together at all, either!! I was frustrated.
But God knew what was coming.
Then came the beauty of Easter, rejoicing in the resurrected Christ, and what a delight to also celebrate my son’s birthday, too. Although my new book released, I’d been obedient to Christ and no immediate promotion had been set up. But I wanted to do so and prayed about one event for the following week. After Easter brunch, I ended up violently ill and in bed much of that week, so it was a blessing that I’d planned no promotion. Yet the book was being promoted—by others God had touched to do so.
One week later, we had finally canceled the writers’ meeting. I could make no sense of why this meeting, planned for months, wasn’t coming together. Nor did I understand why I shouldn’t set up blog visits and all the other promotion I’d normally do.
God brought me through.
I was admitted to the hospital after being in incredible pain and on the date of our planned meeting, I had emergency open gall bladder surgery. It was now the second week of my new book’s release, and here I was bedridden in a hospital. Those who have a book release know that promotion in the first 30 days is critical if you want to make the Amazon Hot New Releases list and more! But following a surgery that left me with a foot-long scar, I was still in excruciating pain and unable to do a thing, certain this whole debacle was a ploy of the enemy to thwart the release of this book. As Christian authors attempting to draw others to Christ, we often feel like a moving target, and this particular target—moi—felt like someone filleted me like a fish and gutted my plans. Why God?
Psalms 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
This particular verse is one I love. And repeatedly God told me to be still and spend time with Him. Once home, I remained in bed for the next several weeks, unable to do much of anything. Although I knew God’s hand was with me throughout the healing process, I started to wonder. But Lord, I’m supposed to promote my book—is this operation why You said not to schedule anything?
And then I heard in my heart, “Rest. You don’t need to DO anything.”
Really, Lord??? Look out the window. My blinds were pulled and the sun lit up my lilac tree, which had NEVER bloomed before, illuminating three heavenly blossoms. I know God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have everything in the universe under control and they do care about me—but those fragrant lilacs reminded me how every good gift comes from the Lord. And my book was His to do with as He would.
“Just be in the moment,” God whispered to my soul.
That was another gift He gave to me. Instead of being caught up in promoting my new release, I got to spend time just in the moment and to enjoy time with Him, resting. We need to do that, to just soak in the glory of His presence!
And God promoted my book.
To my shock, the Lumberjacks’ Ball ended up on the Hot New Releases list, hitting the #1 spot — again affirming that God is in control of all things. Without efforts on my part, God mobilized others to promote my book for me, dear friends such as my Pagels’ Pals Facebook group and my precious cohorts on my blog, a blog whose theme is about overcoming with God’s help!
He just needs us to get out of the way! And to trust Him.
During my recovery, one of the songs that really resonated with me was Steal My Show by TobyMac, which emphasizes that anything we make or do belongs to God, so why not give it to Him—your writing, your promotion, your talent. Before my book released, that was my prayer—that this work was for God and it was a gift to Him for Him to do with as He willed. And He did!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Lest you think I’m encouraging authors to not promote their books, that isn’t what I have intended. Be obedient to God, for He does plan to bless you. So just do what He tells you to do and don’t do what He says NOT to do. And trust that He’s got it all under control. Because He does.
QUESTION:
Have you ever had your plans waylaid only to find that God had a reason?
GIVEAWAY:
A paperback copy of The Lumberjacks’ Ball and an MP3 download of Steal My Show by TobyMac. Leave a comment to enter.
ABOUT CARRIE:
Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., Tagline, “Hearts Overcoming Through Time,” is the author of The Lumberjacks’ Ball (April, 215) an Amazon Christian Historical Romance bestseller. The Fruitcake Challenge (September, 2014) was a Family Fiction finalist for Book of the Year and a Selah Award finalist. Lilacs for Juliana releases in 2015 and is the third novella in The Christy Lumber Camp Series. Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter (White Rose), releases in 2015. Her short story, “Snowed In,” appears in Guidepost Books’ A Christmas Cup of Cheer (2013). She’s the Amazon best-selling and top-rated author of Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance (2013). Her Historical Category winner, “The Quilting Contest,” is published in Family Fiction’s The Story 2014 anthology (Salem Publishing). Carrie received Honorable Mention for the 2014 Maggie Awards for Excellence. Administrates two popular group blogs: www.OvercomingWithGod.com and www.ColonialQuills.org. Former psychologist (25 years), married mother of two.
Sometimes the best laid plans by mice and men ....
ReplyDeleteMary Preston, waving to you!!!!!! I brought coffee, darling!
ReplyDeleteCarrie! I truly believe this, I totally know that God had everything under control and puts people in the right place at the right time... Our human problem sometimes gets in the way of seeing it, but I believe it's there! And of course, it's lots easier to "see" it that way when all is well with my soul. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to tell everyone what a great time I had at Overcoming With God, Carrie's wonderful blogsite. What a great bunch of people gather there! It totally rocks the big kahuna, and that was the week Carrie was in the hospital... and we partied on, praying for her and talking about God, love, life and romance! It was awesome... well, except for the Carrie in intense pain, in the hospital, post-surgical part!!!
But the rest was awesome!
One quick note about waylaid plans... I try to focus ahead of the game, always. I work at a steady clip, I know I can do 1K/day and I balance everything on that. This generally puts me weeks ahead on contracts (that is not true this summer, but it will be true again in two months) and that way... should something happen... I know my commitments are ahead of schedule. I ignore deadlines, I always work on a personal deadline that gets things done more quickly because I don't like being shoved against the wall... This means I almost never worry about a deadline "crunch"... and that's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWaylaid? I guess you could say that. I had a super crush on a boy when I was a junior in high school and he was a senior. We were both shy and I knew if God would just allow us to get to know each other better we would end up with a happily-ever-after. Well, God answered my prayer but it was in His perfect timing, not mine. Thirty-one years later while I lived in California and my "crush" lived in Indiana, God brought us together. We have now been married for over 14 years and know that had we gotten together in our youth, we most likely wouldn't still be together. God's timing is always perfect!
ReplyDeleteSmiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Carrie, I so identified with your story. Have I ever had my plans waylaid? My whole life. It seems as though every time I zigged, God was zagging. I'd end up scratching my head and following Him although it seemed off the beaten path.
ReplyDeleteAfter a career in the newspaper biz, I thought by the age of 30 I'd be a best-selling author, fulfilling God's plan for my life. Not so much. He had a better plan...building my character and learning patience. I kept racing out in front of God until finally, I think he put blinders on my eyes like a stubborn horse.
As a coauthor, I did have success with a spiritual warfare novel in the early '90s. The second book released, but while we were writing the third in the series, Nelson bought Word and half of the contracts were canceled.
So I became a Christian book editor, established a career during the next 20 years, and finally gave up writing all together to devote myself to other authors. Health problems dogged my steps.
Then I retired and felt as though I had nothing to say. The heavens didn't open. I had no great message to impart. So I clung to my life verse--Proverbs 3:5-6--and relaxed. Wait. Rest. Trust.
Then it happened this year. Stories exploded in my brain,characters bent my ear, and my fingers itched to write again. I'm with Ruthy. I hate deadlines, so I created a writing schedule and the rest is history. I finished my first (next?) book in three months, Greg Johnson at WordServe is my agent, and a publisher is reading my manuscript. And on Monday, I started writing the second book in the series.
God's timing is perfect, and His ways are not our ways. But when I get to heaven, I hope the Lord clues me in.
I'd love to win a copy of your book!
Ruthy, I brought my own coffee cup. Fill 'er up. I don't suppose you have any scones in that magic oven of yours, do you?
Sorry for the long post above. I can't seem to say anything in 25 words or less anymore. :)
ReplyDeleteFaith is a walk in the dark.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post, Carrie. We need to be reminded of this often.
Oh, you historical writers, Barbara. It's a side effect you can't avoid.
ReplyDeleteCindy W!!! What a romance story!!! HEA, baby, HEA!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're right, Tina. Speaking of side effects, who would ever ask for the new drugs they advertise on TV? At least verbosity won't kill me. LOL
ReplyDeleteCarrie, what a beautiful post on trusting God and resting in Him. My prayer this morning was asking God what direction to go next.
ReplyDelete"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; Think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you." Proverbs 3:5-6
Cindy, your love story is amazing. Barbara, I agree God's timing is perfect. Congratulations on a fruitful year!
Carrie, One incident from my childhood is a perfect illustration for this. It was Palm Sunday 1965. We were living in Indianapolis at the time. My father was a pastor. We were to drive to Michigan after church that night. My mom forgot her medicine, so we had to go home and get it first. A 15 minute delay to the start of the trip. A delay that was frustrating to my Mom but not to God. A delay that saved our lives. Soon we were stopped by a roadblock because 15 minutes earlier a deadly tornado had gone through. We weaved through several detours that night from the string of tornadoes. God had kept us safe. What a perfect illustration for this ten year old that has often remembered back to that night.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, thank you for sharing your encouraging thoughts this morning. We do need to be reminded often about waiting on God and doing things in His timing.
ReplyDeleteSometimes looking back we can see the plan a lot better than when we're looking forward. Trust and patience will see us through.
I believe in setting my own deadlines, too.:-)
Carrie, you're right about the "moving target" thing. Satan will do anything to keep us from writing for Christ. I admire your attitude, I don't know if I would have been so gracious.
ReplyDeleteKathy Bailey
Barbara, I can't say anything short either which is why I seldom tweet.
ReplyDeleteKathy Bailey
I agree with RUTHY that you should plan ahead because anything can happen. I do it in my day job, not leaving anything to the last minute and setting my own internal deadlines. And I am doing it with the writing, to wit: While I enter contests, query agents and wait for my first novel to be accepted, I am working on the sequel. I don't want to have to scramble to write the sequel. I also adhere to Mary Connealy's advice, "Be prepared." The novel I'm shopping around now is a 90,000 word saga with multiple POVs and story threads. But I also boiled down the main love story to a 75,000 his-and-her romance, so if someone's interested in that, I'M READY. It's important to be flexible, but even more important to anticipate what you may have to be flexible about. If that makes any sense.
ReplyDeleteIt is pouring rain in NH and I am enjoying a morning at the computer.
Kathy Bailey
So beautiful, Carrie. You listened and obeyed.
ReplyDeleteAll of which takes years of being that faithful servant!
Some months back, I couldn't discern what the Lord wanted me to do. I was concerned I hadn't heard correctly and took it to Him in prayer. He said, "I can even work with your 'No.'" Meaning even if I make a mistake and take the wrong route to get to a certain objective, He will ensure I end up on the right path. I've held onto that word from Him, which brings me comfort.
Great post, Carrie. I totally agree with Mary Hicks — trust and patience will see us through. To me that's really comforting.
ReplyDeleteCARRIE!!! It always lifts my day to see your beautiful self in Seekerville, my friend -- and THANK YOU for an equally beautiful post!!
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for all you went through and are still going through to a degree, but it does make me grin over the blessings God's brought your way.
By the way, Carrie, lilacs have always been my favorite flower, so I'm eagerly looking forward to Lilacs for Juliana. I had a similar problem with my lilacs not blooming. I'd gotten a starter bush from my hubby's grandmother, which I diligently cared for the first couple of years, desperately hoping for lilacs. Never got one flower until the 20th year -- right when we sold our house. When I got to our new home, one of the first things I did was plant a lilac bush and guess what? Again, no blooms until the 18th year -- right when we sold our house. I'm starting to get a lilac complex, but I love them all the same. :) Yours are GORGEOUS!!
Mega hugs to Ruthy for bringing coffee, and I brought assorted pastries, my favorite being cheese Danish!!
Hugs,
Julie
RUTHY, I'm in total agreement about the gals at the OWG blog -- they are some of the kindest, sweetest, most loving human beings I've ever met in this biz, and I am SO blessed to know them and call them friends.
ReplyDeleteCINDY W ... WOW, what a romantic story!! Sounds like a novel to me ... ;)
BARBARA SCOTT ... really? A spiritual warfare novel?? I am into spiritual warfare big time, so what was it called? And, WOW, you weren't kidding about being waylaid from writing, but I am SO thrilled the time is NOW!! Cannot wait to read your novel, my friend.
And you said, "God's timing is perfect, and His ways are not our ways. But when I get to heaven, I hope the Lord clues me in."
LOL ... move over, girlfriend, because I'm in line too! ;)
Hugs,
Julie
BARBARA SCOTT SAID: "I can't seem to say anything in 25 words or less anymore. :)"
ReplyDeleteI'm with you and Kathy Bailey -- abbreviated just ain't in my vocabulary ... ;)
TINA SAID: "Oh, you historical writers, Barbara. It's a side effect you can't avoid."
LOL ... I think Tina may be right because most of the historicals I read (and all that I write) are usually door-stoppers ... :)
TINA ALSO SAID: "Faith is a walk in the dark."
Amen to that, and I have the stubbed toes to prove it ...
Hugs,
Julie
JULIE, love the image of stubbed toes. God always outthinks me.
ReplyDeleteKB
BARBARA SCOTT SAID: "Speaking of side effects, who would ever ask for the new drugs they advertise on TV? At least verbosity won't kill me. LOL"
ReplyDeleteLOL ... me, either, but it may kill my readers ...
And OH. MY. GOODNESS!!! Those commercials drive me BATTY!! I'm wondering how effective they can possibly be with the litany of ways the med can kill or maim you!!
LANI, that's quite a story! And a wonderful impression on a ten-year-old, so thanks for sharing!
KATHY BAILY ... laughing over your tweet comment -- I'm with you, darlin'! And YAY for you forging ahead on the sequel. A number of Seekers did that and when they sold, BOOM, they had a whole bookshelf of potential novels they eventually sold.
Hugs,
Julie
What a truly inspiring post, Carrie--thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhen my plans have seemed waylaid, many times in hindsight I can see that God had a few things to teach me through that process. Sometimes the lesson was clear and I actually "got it." Other times . . . not so much. So I guess we're all works-in-progress!
Oh, and I'm totally with JULIE & BARBARA on those pharmaceutical ads! Really??? I'd try that drug after hearing all the BAD, BAD, BAD side effects that could result???
Carrie, your posts are always sooo inspiring! Excited about your books!
ReplyDeletePraying you have good days!!
Kaybee, I love it when folks agree with me! #inflatedego!!!!!!
ReplyDelete:)
Barbara, you wax philosophical my friend, and I hear you loud and clear. When I see the obstacles placed before us, I look at them like a steeplechase... just one more hurdle to reach the goal.
My oldest son was a steeplechaser at the University of Pennsylvania. Matt could hurdle all kinds of thing, barriers, water pits, whatever barrier the course used, he'd either jump or jump to... and then leap off... Watching him hurdle was like seeing life: One successfully tackled obstacle at a time.
:)
So goes it with writing. Unless we quit.
Carrie, welcome to Seekerville and thank you for this inspiring post! God took care of you and of promoting your book. But, you were also prepared by laying the foundations for a strong Facebook group and loyal blog readers.
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting on God, not for myself but for my daughter. That's tough when we moms want to fix everything for our children. But, like you, I know God has her, all of us, in His grip. And His plans for us are good.
Janet
Cindy, thanks for sharing that God's timing is always perfect, as you've seen in your HEA. And I might add, good men can be found in Indiana. I have one.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Wilani Wahl, your story gave me chills.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Barbara, smiling that God has opened the door to write and gave you stories galore. God is not miserly. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Ruthy, you are a poster child for Plan the work. Work the plan. Then if life gets in the way, you're prepared.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Carrie, so wonderful to see you! You post has greatly encouraged me to keep taking one step at a time until I see the FULFILLMENT of what the Lord has for me. You are a blessing!
ReplyDeleteMARY--Maybe it was mice that kept me asleep too long this morning lol! Or some of the post-surgical effects I hadn't planned on. Another example of having plans but its still up to God how things go!
ReplyDeleteRUTHIE--We are so grateful you held down the fort on Overcoming with God blog!!! We have you down as our top nominee for our Angels' Heart Award--Julie was our first winner of this now annual award! And you really did Take the Cake--our preliminary award for our author guests who bless our socks off!!! Thanks so much! Also, about the steady as she goes method--I aim for that but it just doesn't always work out.
Welcome, Carrie. I've definitely experienced those times where I felt God was at work and I just needed to be wait. One of those was for my first sale to Love Inspired. God has a perfect plan!
ReplyDeleteCINDY--I have a story I have been working on for a long time and that is the kind of renewed romance I have in it! Thanks for sharing how God worked that out for you!!!
ReplyDeleteBARBARA--that is AWESOME!!! I had not heard! Congrats!!! BTW I'd thought I'd have completed my professional career in my late sixties even into seventies and then write--I wanted God to wait for me even as I had stories exploding in my head. But He had another plan. It's funny how He knows what is right for each of us if we'll just go with his timetable! Blessings!
Barbara Scott, thanks for sharing that! It's amazing to see how God works.
ReplyDeleteTINA, apparently I needed a HUGE reminder myself!!!
ReplyDeleteTea anyone?? I apologize for my late arrival but I was really sick yesterday and I'm still under the weather today. I turned off my alarm thinking I'd be up in an hour and.... Yikes!!!
JACKIE, that is a great prayer! When I turned off the alarm, I prayed God would get me up in an hour. I think I added OR when I need to get up. Maybe I should have left that part off!!! Thanks for coming by. How about some breakfast tea? I'm sure Julie has coffee here, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your journey. You are definitely an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteWaylaid is such a nice term. I often feel God smacking me 'up-side my head' to get my attention!
ReplyDeleteI'm convinced that anytime I try to plan, schedule, dare I say- control, something God gets the biggest laugh. I love that TobyMac song! It reminds me to let go and let God. His plans (usually viewed in hindsight) always make so much more sense then anything I would have managed!
Thanks for your honesty and hope your recovery is moving along!
Stephanie
Have I ever NOT had my plans waylaid only to find that God had a reason? Not that I sing and dance when it happens. I usually cry and grouse. But now in this moment of relative calm I can say, praise the Lord, He does it all the time. Great post, Carrie.
ReplyDeleteWow, WILANI, God gave your family grace and you a huge gift in this memory of how He saved you!!! He's done the same with me in other circumstances, too. I've often wondered if we'll see any more of those "Glory Gifts" when we get to heaven--places where He saved us and we didn't even know! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMARY, true about looking back and seeing. Prior to the surgery I thought God was testing me because I love to set up all that promo and engage with readers. I've been tested before and that was often how it would start. So the emergency surgery and ensuing terrific pain and awful recovery were certainly NOT something I'd have even considered!!! Good thing He knows all of satan's tricks to detour. But God brought me through. I think we need to make efforts toward deadlines, as God directs us, or we don't succeed in doing God's work in our writing.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, this was a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing! Health struggles can be especially difficult, and sometimes the best medicine is the rest that we often deprive ourselves of.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to let life get in the way of our relationship with God. That is one thing I am trying to ensure that I don't allow to happen. I have noticed if I let my busy schedule interfere with my morning bible study, I'm not nearly as productive the rest of the day. Spending time studying God's word and in prayer to him calms me and allows me to have a more peaceful, productive day.
My Blurb2Book entry is due two weeks from today! I've tried really hard to finish by this Friday since I leave Sunday on a girls only road trip to NYC with some family members. At this point I"m not sure I'll meet my Friday goal, but I do know it's in God's hands. I'm doing all I can do.
I hope everyone is having a Wonderful Wednesday!! Waving to all from a cloudy, humid north Alabama.
KAYBEE, Thanks! I am praying for your success. You have a good plan and I pray God will bless your writing every day and bring you the desires of your heart, in accordance with His perfect will. Would you like to try some cool Lord Grantham tea I have? It's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouraging post, Carrie. I love how the Lord gave you rest and He took care of the rest, promoting your book for you via your wonderful, supportive friends.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for everything you've been through, but I love that you can see the Light in the midst of the darkness and down times.
Let's see....when have I ever had my plans waylaid, lol?? TOO many times to count, both serious and not - escapes from what would have seemed certain death, otherwise, to "hair-brained" schemes that were never important to begin with. It took so many years for me to realize that His plans are always best and at times, it requires resting in Him and waiting for the answer, instead of barging ahead. I could have avoided a lot of heartache if I had learned more quickly, but then, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I'm where I need/supposed to be, God got me there - in spite of the detours and my bumbling efforts to run my own life for many years, it just took a little longer than for some people, lol.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post, Carrie - thank you!! SO glad you are able to walk more easily and healing from your emergency surgery, thrilled that your beautiful "The Lumberjacks' Ball" has been so well received, and joyfully awaiting the release of "Lilacs For Juliana". Hugs and continued prayers!!
I LOVE that DEBBY What you wrote: He said, "I can even work with your 'No.'"
ReplyDeleteEven when we waffle in our obedience, and I'm certainly not perfect there lol, He still can manage that!!! THANKS for sharing!!!
DEBBY G. SAID: ""I can even work with your 'No.'"
ReplyDeleteLove, Love, LOVE this, Deb, and soooooo very true!! Thanks for sharing. :)
KAYBEE SAID: "JULIE, love the image of stubbed toes. God always outthinks me."
I like the stubbed-toe analogy, too, Kathy, although NOT at the time ... :) And frankly, I'm THRILLED "God outthinks me," because God knows my peanut brain is not match for His!!
SUPER CONGRATS, RUTHY, on winning the Angels' Heart Award from OWG -- a true honor!!
Oh, CARRIE, no!!! You're not feeling well today? Honey, why don't you go back to bed, and we'll cover the comments, okay? And Ruthy brought coffee, and I brought pastries, so we're good!
Hugs,
Julie
KB
CARA LYNN, That trust thing seems easier than patience, though, right? Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I'm so sorry for all you've gone through. But, I love the beauty God crafted in and through you as you chose to be still before Him—both forced and willingly. What a great story of encouragement. And to see how God worked for you? Loved that. Thanks for sharing how you walked that journey out one step at a time. He does seem to have a way of teaching us to trust Him more, doesn't He?
ReplyDeleteLoved your post today!
JULIE!!!!! You always make me smile!!! I finally used a Starbucks gift card from a certain friend the other day ;) and I bought TEA for daughter with it and some sparking water for me but I did think of you and prayed God had supplied you with plenty of caffeine for all that unpacking!!! Thanks for your kind words and for having me on again. It's a blessing to visit with the Seekervillians and their guests!!!
ReplyDeleteI have gluten free Ezekiel bread with Sunflower spread that I am sure is every bit as yummy as your pasties, Julie--so I'm willing to share with takers!!! And I have LOTS of tea!!!
JULIE--TWENTY YEARS??? That poor lilac and the next one, too? I wonder if your climate isn't right for them. Maybe God was trying to give you a wave goodbye when you moved! I feel WAY better about mine taking only a few years to bloom! I think we got them after my mom died, five years ago. The other one bloomed after only one year as did the shrub lilac. Hey did you know there is a PINK Canadian lilac??? I want that one next. Hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteMARY HICKS, I'm with you -- at my age, I believe in setting my own deadlines, too, which allows me to focus more on the things I should be focusing more on -- God, family, and enjoying semi-retirement with my hubs!!
ReplyDeleteCARA ... if anyone has had to learn about "trust and patience," my friend, it's you!
JACKIE, I agree with you too -- Carrie has some of the most inspiring posts of any blogger I know, always focusing on overcoming!! Thus the name of her blog, Overcoming With God. :)
RUTHY ... I have never heard of a "steeplechaser" before, so thanks for the info. VERY interesting and your son sounds like a chip off the "young" block. :)
JANET SAID: "I'm waiting on God, not for myself but for my daughter. That's tough when we moms want to fix everything for our children. But, like you, I know God has her, all of us, in His grip. And His plans for us are good."
I'm with you, Janet. Where would we be without God to depend on for our children? I'd be in a rubber room for sure ...
CARYL KANE SAID: "Your post has greatly encouraged me to keep taking one step at a time until I see the FULFILLMENT of what the Lord has for me."
Amen, my friend, Carrie's post has done the same for me as well!
Hugs,
Julie
MYRA, Thanks! I loved what you said: So I guess we're all works-in-progress!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great quote! Until we enter those pearly gates we're still trying to get in line with God's plans.
Have a blessed day! And have some tea, too! Green?
What a great post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. And thanks for providing this giveaway.
ReplyDeletesydneyjames68@gmail.com
Wow CARRIE,, Your post hit me in the heart. It is so often my story. smile. Looking back (isn't hind sight grand?) I've seen God's hand in all the things I thought were waylaid. Your Bible verses are some of my favorites because they so help in those waylaid moments. smile
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I'm praying your health is improving and that you will be out and about again.
Thanks for posting here in Seekerville. Hugs
God bless you JACKIE, you are too sweet! I hope you enjoy this new series--I sure have had fun writing it (other than all the spiritual and physical attack I've come under lol!) But anytime we work for God, we tick off the enemy. We can roll up in a ball or come back out, awaiting orders for the next leg of the journey! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteRUTHY, That is so cool about your son!!! I have a steeplechase story and should see if he'd be willing to answer some Q's!!!
ReplyDeleteLove me some green tea! I make a pot of Earl Grey Green every morning!
ReplyDeleteBARBARA Scott, Good grief, we must be twins. Your story sounds so like mine, except different careers. I think God has a marvelous sense of humor. I'm so tickled that you are writing again. I was wondering why you were because when I met you, you were an editor. smiling. Isn't God Grand?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on those stories. Happy writing.
KAYBEE - Best advice. Be Flexible. Thanks for that reminder and advice. It does help to keep the frustration at a minimum.
ReplyDeleteJANET, TY for your welcome!
ReplyDeleteYou said: "God took care of you and of promoting your book. But, you were also prepared by laying the foundations for a strong Facebook group and loyal blog readers."
That is a GREAT point and something I was trying to point out--that we need to obey what He tells us to do and move forward. I bet you would NOT be surprised at the number of people who don't bother putting in the effort to do what is required, such as having a fabulous private FB group for readers and bothering to blog. Not that everyone is supposed to do that, but I get questions from people a lot and they want things to happen with their books and their writing WITHOUT putting in the effort God has prompted them to do. Magical thinking that SINCE God is ABLE then He will promote their work without them doing their part.
And BTW I understand all too well about "waiting on God, not for myself but for my daughter. That's tough when we moms want to fix everything for our children. But, like you, I know God has her, all of us, in His grip. And His plans for us are good." I'm going to re-read that a few times today myself!
Blessings!
Carrie, what a wonderful, encouraging post! I've so enjoyed all the comments as well. God's plans are best, no matter what.
ReplyDeleteOH and JANET I meant my FACEBOOK group members are FAB!!! Not me!!! They are awesome. Which is why I wanted to list them all in my blog post but that would be a "NO NO" I am sure!!! But here are a few of the names of some of the amazing readers who BLESSED me while I was waylaid: REGINA Fujitani, TINA Rice, ANNE Payne, Sr. Mary Lou Kwiatkowski, BRITNEY Adams, NANCEE Marchinowski, KATHLEEN Belongia, KATHY Maher, DEBBIE LYNNE Costello (my CPer!), GRACIE LOUISE Yost, CHERYL Baranski .... and I'll add more in a minute!
ReplyDeleteI think we are all just honored to be your friends, CARRIE! We love how you support us in our promotional and reviewing efforts! You are one of the best authors to work with!!!!
DeleteCarrie, I loved your post. Sorry you had to go through all the painful experiences and surgeries, but oh, the blessings God has showered down on you with His plan for your book! You could not have had a better book "promoter"--God.
ReplyDeleteAs to having plans waylaid: when I was pregnant with our second son in 1976, Russell's parents house was for sale, as they were moving to Florida. We talked about possibly buying it but felt we just couldn't afford it--I cried. I had prayed for a house (we lived in a mobile home) but I decided to be content with the roof over our heads that God has provided and thanked Him for our home. He knew my heart....fast forward years later when our sons were young teenagers in 1998...my oldest son had been visiting my mother and came home saying the house next to her was for sale and could we buy it. Hmm, our finances were still not the greatest, how could we afford a house? I prayed and ask God for His leading. Long story short: God had picked this house out just for us and everything happened so quickly, the next thing we were moving into the house of my dreams! Many times over the years God has had other plans for me/us, plans that are so much better than our own. He often impresses me to "trust Me" when I pray.
I have your book, so am not entering the contest.
Blessings,Tina
It occurs to me JANET may have meant my FACEBOOK Author page Followers and my Friends since my group Pagels Pals is private! YES, those FB friend and followers are always SO good to me, Prayer Warriors who helped pray me through! We should never underestimate the power of prayer!!!
ReplyDeleteCARYL KANE and ANN ELLISON, ALSO two members of FB group Pagels Pals, you two are also HUGE blessings to me! I can always count on you to watch my back for me!!! Caryl I loved those encouraging pics you put up during my recovery -- especially the PINK ones!!! And ANN, I know you will always pray and give me a word of encouragement. I don't deserve all the blessings I've received from the group, but THANK GOD for all of you!!! Hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteMISSY, TY! One of the reasons I've always enjoyed Seekerville (I was one of the first members of your Followers!) is because of those stories of awaiting God's plan and seeing how all of you have been so blessed! This blog is all about encouragement in the dream of seeing God bless our writing plans--in His own way and in His own time! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMISSY, TY! One of the reasons I've always enjoyed Seekerville (I was one of the first members of your Followers!) is because of those stories of awaiting God's plan and seeing how all of you have been so blessed! This blog is all about encouragement in the dream of seeing God bless our writing plans--in His own way and in His own time! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI knew you had some medical issues going on this past winter/spring but I had no idea! You have a beautiful testimony here. What an encouragement! You bless me greatly! Thank you!
Oh Carrie...I am so sorry for all you've endured, but what an inspiration you are!
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to thinking I've got "my plans" laid out, only to realize the Lord has a different (and ultimately, much better!) plan for me.
I'd planned to continue my teaching career (which I LOVED) at least until my son was out of college--maybe even later. However, in 2007 my spinal condition became so severe I was forced to go ahead and take an "early disability retirement." But I realized that the Lord had opened the door for my writing, not to mention having time for more family activities (including large weddings for 2 daughters *smile*). So now when I become a bit frustrated as I strive to be published, I remind myself that HIS plans are always best!
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
STEPHANIE, I love when readers "GET IT" and I LOVE what you said!!! : Waylaid is such a nice term. I often feel God smacking me 'up-side my head' to get my attention!
ReplyDeleteWell, He sure let me get smacked upside my belly lol! Or into it rather! Apparently that was what I needed because my gall bladder was so diseased it was all going into the common duct which is dangerous!
ALSO I LOVE what you said:
"I'm convinced that anytime I try to plan, schedule, dare I say- control, something God gets the biggest laugh."
I TOTALLY felt that way during my recovery, even in my pain--that God does laugh at our mere mortal thoughts and plans, not in a mean way but like you laugh at a little kid. And that made me smile!
And LOVE what you said about the song:
" I love that TobyMac song! It reminds me to let go and let God. His plans (usually viewed in hindsight) always make so much more sense then anything I would have managed!"
I felt like that song really spoke about a lot of stuff in my life. It is all HIS anyways. So why don't we GIVE it all to HIM? Not that we shouldn't do our part, but when he zigs we need to go with Him and when He catapults we need to fly with Him!
BLESSINGS!
EXACTLY DAVALYN!!! You said: "Have I ever NOT had my plans waylaid only to find that God had a reason?"
ReplyDeleteAren't you glad that I'm not on here in the GROUSE mode though, lol! I sure as shootin' wasn't singing or dancing at that time!!! Moaning and groaning.
Afterwards we can CHOOSE to complain about it or give Him praise and I love that you SING His praises!!!
Blessings!
RHONDA S, thanks!!! Love your comment "... sometimes the best medicine is the rest that we often deprive ourselves of. " So true for us busy moms! I have a 13 year old at home who I homeschooled this year. I came under attack from satan when I published the first book in this series. Then it was my family with physical ailments. This time he came after me!
ReplyDeleteThis is so TRUE: "Spending time studying God's word and in prayer to him calms me and allows me to have a more peaceful, productive day." God's word is our lifeline!!!
Praying God supernaturally gives you favor with your submission and your deadline!!! He's done that for me and I know He is able!
And stay cool!
Thank you KELI! I love to see how God shines His light through you, too, as you encourage others and you are a great Prayer Warrior!!! Hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post, Carrie, I actually read it twice. Like yourself, I live with a chronic disease, Crohn's Disease. Many times it's waylaid my plans, but I always know God has his own plan for me, so I let Him take the lead. Take care of yourself and thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteBONNIE, You are right! We should make plans but when doesn't God steer us around the pitfalls?
ReplyDeleteLOVED your words: "His plans are always best and at times, it requires resting in Him and waiting for the answer, instead of barging ahead. I could have avoided a lot of heartache if I had learned more quickly, but then, I wouldn't be the person I am today." He knows what we are going to do. He isn't surprised. But HE still works with us! Good thing!!!
Thanks so much and I still do need prayer for Lilacs for Juliana and this series! I got waylaid again but sickness this week. But PTL I got a call from the doctor's office and my liver enzymes are only mildly off so this will be something that we can manage!!! Hoping I can get back at it soon. And that God will protect me from the enemy's next devious attempt to keep me from sharing a story meant to reflect God's glory.
Big hugs!!!
JULIE I'm doing better today but LATE late late to a very important date, like the rabbit!!! Hey, I said RUTHIE is our front runner didn't I. Maybe you have received a prophesy that she will win. That's announced in December, 2015, BUT I've got the same "feeling" that is what will happen, too. The plaque is being made in Nashville, already, for whoever that person is. JULIE you got the whole thing going with Angels' Heart Award because you BLESSED the socks off all of us at OWG: DIANA L. FLOWERS, my senior reviewer, TERESA S. Mathews, our poetess reviewer, NOELA Nancarrow, our Aussie reviewer extraordinaire, and our former contributor MARIAN Baay (who needs prayers--her precious dog just died in the Netherlands where she lives, very sad), and our new member and inspirational blogger BONNIE ROOF!!! We even had to have the rule that one win only every 5 years or you'd end up winning it every year!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post, Carrie! You are such a blessing to so many! Hugs and God bless, my friend!
ReplyDeleteHere's a quick look at The Steeplechase to see the Olympic trials a few years back. It's modeled after the old countryside horse races (they did these out west on Founder's Days and Independence Day celebrations) where the horses would be raced from the church, out into the country, and back... to the steeple!
ReplyDeleteCarrie!!!! You goof, I'm hugging you from afar, because the best award is getting to know you!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I agree wholeheartedly, the planning thing doesn't always work, but then... like you showed today... we can rest peacefully that we did our best at the time. And that's so nice!
If you hadn't gotten the book done, there would have been no launch... no sales... no anything. You did the first leg of the race beautifully, so the rest fell into place. If you hadn't focused on getting your job done, God wouldn't have had the book to work with!
You ACED that!
You are a blessing, Carrie, and your post is a wonderful testimony to that. Oh, yes, my writing has been vastly interrupted as you know, but I thank God that He has it all in His hands. Isn't it great we can trust him with that!
ReplyDeleteAnd huge cheers for "Steal My Show" one of many favorites in Ruthy-land! And yes, I sing and dance along with my little ones, and we love singing with Toby and Mandisa in "Good Morning!" and "Overcomer"... (Top of the mornin' to you, Disa!) :)
ReplyDeleteLove me some Mac!
JEANNE T, Thank you so much! That whole thing of "Be still and know I am GOD" really APPLIES when you MUST be still or totally shriek in pain if you do anything to impact a huge surgical site! lol!
ReplyDeleteLoved what you said : "He does seem to have a way of teaching us to trust Him more, doesn't He"
I had feared that any surgery where I am put under could kills me because of my allergies. And it could. I didn't think I could trust Him any more than I did by trusting that if I was going to heaven, I trusted it was in His will. But even now, He has recently shown me in a big old plumbing matter that I had to trust Him in that, too. You'd think if I could trust Him with my life I could trust Him for the money for the repairs, right? PTL it looks like we may not have to do the $20,000 repair we feared! Frail weak flesh, what can I say? Good thing God is bigger than us!
Hey Girlfriend! As you know, I can so relate to plans being waylaid! Wow! What a year huh? So glad you are out of your boot. And you may have retired from your first profession but God certainly gave you another full time job! Thanks for sharing with us, Carrie. Love you!
ReplyDeleteHey SYDNEY and MEGHAN, Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment! May God bless you! I'm going to go play that song and have some soup for lunch and will be back in a bit!
ReplyDeleteSANDRA
Its SO COOL how in God's word He gives us that scripture that helps us during ALL those waylaid moments. THANK you, Jesus, that I didn't marry either of my first two fiances for instance! HE knew the plans He had for me to bless me with Jeffrey Pagels!!!
And thank you for allowing me to visit here with you and all the other authors of Seekerville. Golly it seems like just yesterday you gals were starting this up and CAMY Tang sent me an invite!!!
Dear Carrie! Your post meant so much to me today. I was feeling a bit rushed and was just handing it all over to the Lord and then I read your testimony here! So sorry that you went through all that pain but I'm thrilled that you know our Lord so intimately! Do sign me up for the book give away if there is still time for that. Again...what a blessing your post is! Be blessed. No, continue to be blessed!
ReplyDeleteCarrie,
ReplyDeleteYour faithfulness is a blessing! What a joy you radiate in overcoming your battles...so encouraging to all of us. And an amazing story of the Lord's willingness to fight for us...if we'll just let him. (P.S. I listened to the song on Youtube and loved it!!)
Love all the sharing on this site...
Usually, I have a Plan A, B & C...Long Range and Short Range...and then there's God's plans...He's been so very patient with me...much like My Sweet Husband! And wow, it's been fun! Except for one or two tragedies...but the Lord was/is faithful to walk us through those cave-like experiences too!! So, happy is my heart and my cup runneth over...
Wishing you all a blessed and beautiful July 1!!
CARRIE, this is awesome! I know the struggle you were going through after your surgery. God used many, many people to help and support you through prayer, and to promote your book. God is so amazing when it gets to what He wants, instead of us wanting something that is in alignment with whatever God wants.
ReplyDeleteFor your question:
I've seen so many instances in my life alone where I've questioned His will for me. Especially the last two years! When we moved to South Carolina six years ago we decided we would stay where were at for a year, a felt we were there for a season, well that season turned out to be five years. God moved us to Easley, SC. After living where we were we decided to buy a house, but God had a different plan. The doors never opened for us to buy one. A year after that my settlement came in, we felt God nudging us to move back to South Dakota. Shortly after moving back my husband was hired at a university 50 miles from us. Again we decided to buy a house near his job, it didn't happen. I had total hip revision, recovering from that took from October to now. Then my hubby had total reverse shoulder surgery in May, he is still recovering. And then our daughter became engaged, then her wedding on Saturday. In just the last THREE weeks God opened the door for us to buy a house where we live! If we bought a house in SC we wouldn't have moved back to SD, the surgeries wouldn't have happened, and I our daughter wouldn't have married the man he designed for her!
I would rather go where God says to go or stay when He says to stay! We all have lessons we need to learn from our Daddy.
Sorry Carrie, I was long winded! Lol
Carrie, do you ever have trouble knowing what God is telling you to do? Or not to do? Sometimes I think He leaves things up to me. And trust me when I say, that's scary.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Carrie, thanks for the post. I hope your health is better now.
ReplyDeleteMy story of when God had other plans for me took place over 31 years ago. I had been told that my teaching position was being eliminated and I would be let go at the end of the year. By the way, the principal called me into the office to tell me at the beginning of the day because that was my planning period, then sent me back to teach. Of course I was so upset, and couldn't even call to talk to anybody about it until the day was over. Very bad way to do it, if you ask me!
Anyway, I started looking for new jobs. When I called for information about one of the jobs, I discovered it was middle school, which I didn't think I wanted. But the lady on the phone was insistent that the principal was so nice, I really should give it a chance. So I went for an interview and decided to take the job. One year later, I met my husband. So God knew I needed to get to that town or I would have never met him. We have now been married almost 29 years.
You don't need to enter me in the drawing. I have The Lumberjack's Ball on my kidle!
Julie, This probably isn't the issue with your lilacs, but if the bush is trimmed at the wrong time, the bud can be destroyed. I wish I could love lilacs. I can't handle their strong fragrance.
ReplyDeleteJanet
TINA, you are such a blessing! I loved loved loved my hug pillow, too, that came from a special someone and when I sneezed or coughed it was so handy!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a testimony of God's provision. God worked for our house in a similar way--we had even turned in our notice to not keep renting!!! And we had NO house to buy. Then God drove us right by this home that has worked out the way He needed. Thanks for sharing with us! XOXOXOXO
KELLY G -- SO great meeting you through ACFW Virginia, where we both live! And thanks for joining my group on FB. I pray that you will be as blessed as I have been by the wonderful ladies like CHAPLAIN DEBBIE Mitchell, SUSAN F. Fletcher, SONJA Nishimoto, BETTI Mace, DEANNA STEVENS, DEANNE Patterson, and CHICKI Foley as well as CHRIS Granville, ANGI Griffis, ROBBIE PINK, ROBIN Bunting, MARTHA Phillips, and my BFF who inspired me to write in the first place LIBBIE Cornett !!! And newer members like AMBER Goos, LADETTE Kerr, CHRISTY Zumbrun, and JACKIE Tessnair!
ReplyDeletePATTI JO, Thank for your kind words!
ReplyDeleteYour story sounds much like mine. I'm so sorry you had to stop teaching but I am so glad God is taking care of you! And your family! I understand what you are talking about with unplanned early retirement/disability.
You said, "So now when I become a bit frustrated as I strive to be published, I remind myself that HIS plans are always best!"
In this time we live in there are SO many opportunities to get our God-given work out there and in front of people who will, hopefully, be blessed by it! Am praying for your success!!!
Hugs back!
Well, it tooke awhile, but I finally made it here Carrie! I enjoyed your post and take it as a reminder when I get waylaid & must trust God to 'take the wheel'.
ReplyDeleteThis week I've been frustrated while waiting for hubby's management to 'announce' the next audit, so we can get our tickets booked while they are cheaper, plus trying to 'figure things out' so we could throw in an 'extra treat' along the way. Guess I need to stop trying to 'figure it out myself' and wait & see what GOD has in the plans, right?
In the meantime--I need to remember to check in more often at Seekerville--I'm always blessed when I do...
Vicki
Oh--and lilacs are my favorite flower too/-especially the purple ones! ;-) So I'm looking forward to Lilacs for Juliana as well!
ReplyDeleteVicki
Carrie, I'm sure he'd be glad to answer questions about steeplechasing, but he's never done the horse variety, LOL! He's a runner... so they leap over barriers and water.
ReplyDeleteIs this for an historical?
And thank you for the fresh tea, I'm using one of the fancy tea cups Susanna brings to facebook! :)
Carrie, how sweet to ask for prayers for Mariaan's dog. That dog was gorgeous, such a pretty thing, and one time I messaged her to find out what kind she was... because she was similar to my red retrievers, but just that much different. I loved seeing her posts. They made me smile.
ReplyDeleteJILL Thanks so much, for you to read it twice makes me believe God needed it shared with you! I know how very serious Crohn's Disease is. Like RA, it requires that plans have to be set aside sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLike you said: "Take care of yourself"
Sometimes those plans we have aren't doing good care of ourselves. I'll be honest--I "thought" I may be having gall bladder issues because my daughter had emergency gall bladder surgery in the fall. But with all the other medical concerns being addressed in the family PLUS my own foot issues, I was just waiting. But God was tired of me not taking care of it I guess...
Praying that He brings you healing and joy!
CHAPPY, I can say the same about you my friend!!! I just finished MARYLU's new time travel book last night and of course, I saw she'd acknowledged you in the book! You are such a blessing to me and to others. What a unique book, too, right that ML just did!!! Walk the plank mateys if ye dinna think so!
ReplyDeleteRUTHIE, Yes I am a bona fide goof! LOL!
ReplyDeleteYou said: "If you hadn't gotten the book done, there would have been no launch... no sales... no anything. You did the first leg of the race beautifully, so the rest fell into place. If you hadn't focused on getting your job done, God wouldn't have had the book to work with!"
That is so true--we have to do OUR PART. One thing not in this post is that during the recovery I felt NO LEADING to write. Even when I'm feeling bad with my RA I usually feel God's hand on my writing. BUT, I've trusted Him when He says--Don't write. So I knew I had this next novella to do, Lilacs for Juliana which was then entitled Lilacs for the Lumber Camp. My daughter came over and pointed out that of my alternates she liked Lilacs for Juliana best and my Pagels Pals group agreed! THEN about six weeks after the surgery, I sensed God pushing me to write again. And I was like--REally God, I can barely sit up in the chair, but I was doing somewhat better. And I pounded out 20,000 words in something like five days, which is not something I can normally do well much less in recovery from major surgery. Again, a God thing. It was COOL having Him right there with me on that, too, because I KNEW I couldn't do it. It was Him making it happen.
Hugs!
CARLA you and the gang at Colonial Quills are such a blessing to me! YES I do know as you said, "...my writing has been vastly interrupted ... but I thank God that He has it all in His hands. Isn't it great we can trust him with that!"
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is testament to how the enemy comes after those writing for Him, you are a good example! With all those things happening, and your poor mom! But God must have some amazing plans for you, my friend! He's surely refined you like fire!
Hugs!!!
DEBBIE LYNNE, You have saved my bacon!!! Thanks so much for stepping into the breach and being such a great critique partner!!!
ReplyDeleteYou said "I can so relate to plans being waylaid! Wow! What a year huh?"
CONGRATS on your wildly successful novel!!! And you and I talked about how satan would be troubling you once this came out--that God would bless u but that the enemy can't stand it when we step out on faith. But wooooeeeee, I'd never have seen that one coming and I'm sure you didn't, either. But God has all of that under control my friend. LOVE back to you!!!
SUSAN, So glad this post helped you when you were feeling a bit rushed today! Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteKATHRYN B
Isn't that a GREAT song? Glad you got a chance to listen to it. I have the WOW CDS plus I have downloads via Amazon that I like to listen to while I write! Isn't Seekerville a great site? May your cup continue to runneth over!
Regina said...
ReplyDeleteCARRIE, this is awesome! I know the struggle you were going through after your surgery. God used many, many people to help and support you through prayer, and to promote your book. God is so amazing when it gets to what He wants, instead of us wanting something that is in alignment with whatever God wants.
Sweet REGINA, Your life is sure a great example about when God's timing is right!!! Honestly, I could always sense that SC was not the right place for you so I was THRILLED when God took you back to South Dakota.
But then you having to have that hip revision and then him with shoulder surgery -- Yikes!!! But for Amber to meet and marry the love of her life, sigh.... that is so sweet!!! Praying your new house works out great, too!
I can count on you JANET Dean to ask the hard Q's lol:
ReplyDeleteYou said...
"Carrie, do you ever have trouble knowing what God is telling you to do? Or not to do? Sometimes I think He leaves things up to me. And trust me when I say, that's scary."
I hate it when He doesn't seem to be whispering to my soul. Often those times are when I've failed to keep in the Word, to stay in prayer, gotten too busy, or any number of fleshly things. BUT sometimes I can be fully immersed in all of the stuff that connects me to Him and I get NOTHING. Nada. And I KNOW He is there. And I have to trust Him then, too! I try to remember that 1) I have His Word to speak to me and guide me and 2) if I am walking in the will I know He has set out for me (e.g., writing Christian fiction) then I am to continue.
I totally agree that the times when its up to me I am scared. I try to do what I believe would please Him. We can't just expect a word from Him. He's given us His Word and an intellect. And if He's already put us on the path I sometimes wonder if He is thinking--why is that goofball standing there scratching her head when I put her where she's supposed to be, surrounded her with support, told her what to get doing, and she's waiting there --what is the confusion--if I tell her to stop she should hear me. I guess I get afraid I won't hear Him and that can be an issue,too. He's fully capable of getting my attention!
When I have listened to Him, and obeyed God, I have been SO blessed. And His blessings are so wonderful I don't want to miss out on being in His will! That being said, I'm still a goof up, so... But God has that too!
VICKI Marney are you back from Poland? You are such a jet setter!!!
ReplyDeleteYou said, "Guess I need to stop trying to 'figure it out myself' and wait & see what GOD has in the plans, right?"
That's the trouble sometimes for me, and it was for a very long time--I wanted the head knowledge and the whys instead of just suiting up, showing up, and doing what God wanted!
I LOVE roses, peonies and lilacs ! So pretty and so fragrant! I hope you will enjoy Lilacs for Juliana, which should release in about 6 weeks, I think!
Blessings!
So glad you are back into it~ enjoyed your post ! Love your books!
ReplyDeleteDeanna
Carrie, what an incredible journey! God's blessing wrapped around you like Saran Wrap in your time of trouble. Ooooo, goosebumps here!
ReplyDeleteIt's so tough to sit back and let God do His thing. I feel like a slacker when I'm not out promoting the work He's gifted me. But you're absolutely right...be still and let the Master do it His way.
I'm so sorry for all the pain you've endured. You've emerged stronger for it and God isn't done with you yet : )
I believe that God filled me with gifts and waits for me to discover them! Obviously, you got a large share of God's largesse.
ReplyDeleteCARRIE, frail, weak flesh on this end too. Thank goodness God is beyond that, and He's patient with us as we take those baby steps in trusting Him!
ReplyDeleteHey DEANNA S! Thanks!!! I've had a setback yesterday and today with post-gall bladder surgery stuff, and the past week after doing a new PT regimen, but I'm hoping to be back in the saddle tomorrow. I need to get Lilacs for Juliana to my CPer and then to my editor. Hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteRUTHIE, I have hot green tea ready! Sugar? Lemon? Sorry no dairy products. LOL about Steeplechase because YES I was definitely referring to our Virginia horseback races. I have a contract for a horse race story and my editor knows that it might be either Steeplechase event OR a different type of horse race. We'd been leaning toward the latter but then last night I was really wanting to work on the Steeplechase story. I had no idea they had running that was called that!
ReplyDeleteWell, let's see if my phone will let me post on here since I am without internet. Your article made me tear up, Carrie. Sometimes God just completely slows us down in order that we might see Him in everything. In the smell of flowers, the cool breeze outside your window, the sunshine, and the promotion of your wonderful book. We as His children often get as busy as the little ants we see running around, and forget our Father has everything in control. Having a few health issues has got me out of the habit of making plans that are set in stone. I have to make a few, but I am learning to say Lord if it's Your will I will do such and such that I have planned. I have to admit that I sometimes cry when I want to do something really bad, and I can't make it. Just like my children used to cry when I had to turn down some of their requests. I had my reasons just as God has His, but my children just did not know that. I don't know all of His reasons for not letting me do everything that I want to do either, but he is still God and He can do what He wants. For we know that all things together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful post, Carrie, and am so thankful for your recovery!!
ReplyDeleteAUDRA that is TOO funny about the Saran wrap!!! I'd rather have had that then the 24 staples and the drain! But that might not have worked as well. I totally feel like a slacker if I am not doing what I "know" I'm supposed to be doing for promo. How are readers supposed to know about your book, your product for God, if you don't get the word out? Right? God really blessed me with people who could do that work to let folks know, including a friend who has a large blog and offered me an easy ad promo right when I needed it--that was great! I guess God isn't done with me yet, but I would have been ready for Him, if He was!
ReplyDeleteJANE PERRINE you always make me smile!!! You said: "I believe that God filled me with gifts and waits for me to discover them! "
ReplyDeleteI believe that is true! One of the gifts He has given you is the ability to bless others and be an amazing Prayer Warrior. You are such a sweetheart!
You said: "Obviously, you got a large share of God's largesse."
He sure was good to me, getting me through and taking care of a problem that had gotten really bad.
Hugs!!!
Angel Diana!!! Can you believe God brought me through that storm to your house four years ago!!!
ReplyDeleteYou said: "Sometimes God just completely slows us down in order that we might see Him in everything. In the smell of flowers, the cool breeze outside your window, the sunshine, and the promotion of your wonderful book."
That was sure how it seemed--that I got to glimpse Him, in spite of the pain, once I got home.
You said: "Having a few health issues has got me out of the habit of making plans that are set in stone. I have to make a few, but I am learning to say Lord if it's Your will I will do such and such that I have planned."
I admit that I sometimes just "think" that God IS gonna carry me through something and I power ahead. With my RA and when my foot was so bad, I pretty much couldn't go a whole lot but write. Even then, though, I think I was forgetting that ANY plans are moot if He's not wanting them to proceed.
Love that scripture: For we know that all things together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.
Great seeing you over here. And it is funny that you are one of the last comments because you are one of the first people to step in and help me and bless me, Angel Girl! XOXOXOXOXO
Aww...you're just making me tear up all over the place today, Mama Angel. Actually if I remember correctly, YOU were one of the first people to step in and help me and bless me. And you are still such a blessing to me everyday. I'm ever so thankful to God that He helped you make it through that terrible storm to come see me that day. And didn't we have a blast with Teresa at Lizard's Thicket and Fatz?!
DeleteCarrie, what a delight to read about how others came through and promoted your book when you couldn't. As to being waylaid, I have enough stories to fill a book. Hmmm.... :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on "The Lumberjacks' Ball ... and wishes for good health.
Nancy C
Oh, gosh, CARRIE, I can't believe I won the FIRST time, so you are blowing me away with your sweet comment. You guys are SO fabulous and loving, I had no choice but to respond in kind, so it's totally your doing, not mine!
ReplyDeleteAnd, Janet, I did not trim the bushes at all -- maybe that was my problem???
Hugs,
Julie
Carrie, you are an Inspiration to us all! Your words are a reminder to us all that "to everything there is a season".Sometimes I find myself getting impatient. Then I remember what I'm constantly telling my girls "everything in God's time". I realized that I needed to take heed of that. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteJEANNE T, I could barely manage any steps, even baby steps were excruciating for a long time but those steps in faith are always accompanied by those MASSIVE ones, right beside our own, aren't they???
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
It did not go unnoticed that your trio lilacs have a pink hue ~ blessings and love to you, Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
ReplyDeleteBRITNEY, God bless you! You are like sunshine! You've been so good to me and when you became our 300th Follower on OWG blog and we ALL began to pray for you, wow I had no idea all the cool things God would be doing with you! Love, love, love your blog!!! And so very grateful that you are in the Pagels Pals group. You are a sweetie for sure! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteNANCY C -- I've met SO many amazing Christian women through blogging for many years. And once my books started coming out, I've met even more wonderful readers and reviewers. And they never fail to bless my (missing already!) socks off!!! I think I do have enough stories of waylaid plans that I am filling some books, Nancy!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and if you get a chance, The Lumberjacks' Ball is only 99 cents today!!! Let than one of Julie's starbucks coffees!
JULIE, you are so silly--you are the REASON we have The Angels' Heart Award now every year!!! And the reason we have a 5 year cap on next time. So you are eligible again in 2018!! Who knows WHAT blogging will look like by then! Seems to change all the time! When I started that blog, all alone, I wasn't so happy. Then God brought me sweet Angel Diana. Then Teresa. And I didn't think I could be blessed any further with sweet ladies but I have been when we had Marian with us, and then Noela and now Bonnie. So blessed!
ReplyDeleteJULIE and JANET you are not supposed to trim it when it has no blossoms or branches to bother trimming. Am guessing you got really young trees, like we had, and it took them a long time to mature. But wow, that was still a long time. Maybe not enough sun? Like I said, I think a Canadian pink lilac is in the works for both of us and let's pray we can get them to bloom!!!
GRACIE!!! I can't wait for you to read your counterpart, my sweet Gracie, library assistant, in Lilacs for Juliana! She's a great secondary character! And thanks again for holding down the fort over at CQ as our Guest Reviewer of Gabrielle Meyer's new novella!!! Thanks so much! XOXOXOX
ReplyDeleteKATHLEEN, they DID have a pink hue and that was super cool too!!! God loved me so much He opened up those blooms for me as I recovered. My home was FULL of flowers from my friends--so very BLESSED and then HE blooms my fave flower right outside the spare bedroom/office, where I was resting and recuperating!!! That was great. And as DIANA said, I was so appreciative after being in the hospital especially of being able to open the windows and have fresh breezes waft in!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and love back Half-Irish Kathleen from Quarter Irish Carrie!
The Lord seems to be leading us down a similar path - one where we do not understand why things happen the way they do. We are trying to praise Him in all of it, and the prayers of other believers are getting us through! Thanks so much for sharing your struggles and victories, Carrie 😀
ReplyDeleteI feel that way about something now but I know that the Lord has a reason for it not coming together, though my heart longs for it greatly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this with us, even though I already knew the story, it is a great encouragement today! Love you, CARRIE, my friend. {{hugs}}
BETTI, I am praying that God gives you comfort in this current difficult situation. I know that He will put angels and helpers all around you to get you through and resettled! I'm glad to share if this will encourage someone else! Hugs and love!
ReplyDeleteANNE, you are such a blessing to me and I pray that God will take your hand and lead you through this segment of your journey and bring you peace. LOL--I think you hear too much on the phone and thanks for being my friend! Why ANNE that is SO SWEET that you would say that too me about me being good to work with!!! As a reader and reviewer I promised myself that when I was getting my books out there I wanted to do things the way I wanted to be treated, too--like JULIE and RUTHY do!!! So that is a high compliment!
ReplyDeleteDo you remember Angel Diana that you and the OWG bloggers are the ones who were loving JULIE's books and writing these great reviews and I was like--she does NOT write colonial era fiction, I don't have time to read her books as comparables. So then I started reading them and got HOOKED!!! Now why did you have to mention Fatz and Lizard's Thicket? Makes me hungry again!!! XOXOXOXO
ReplyDeleteYour post was perfect for me today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRight now my plans have been waylaid, but I am not quite seeing why. But, I believe God is sovereign and I will know in time.
God's timing is always perfect.
I would love to win your book and the MP3. Thanks for sharing from your heart.
Becky
Thank you so much Carrie for this lovely post and the pictures of your lilac bushes. I love hearing how God's at work for you and on your behalf. We've dealt with lots of medical emergencies and times when belief and obedience carried us through. I've found those are the times when deep etching happens in my soul, like a wood cutter making deep cuts to express his artistry. It's also in that waiting that, as C.S. Lewis said, God shouts in our pain (it's easier to feel close due to all the distractions falling aside). No one will tell you this is the secret gift until you emerge on the other side, but whether through children in the hospital, my husband's injuries, wildfires we've tangled with, or my own challenges, this has remained true. Thanks for being vulnerable and real. I love this about Seekerville, too!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this story now. Such a sweet book. Garrett's quiet ways are so unintentionally charming. And I LOVE Toby Mac's Steal My Show! :) Congrats on your new release, and thank you so much for this encouraging post!!!!!
ReplyDelete*waving at Elizabeth*
Incredible post...thank you for sharing when I needed it most.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would "love" to possess your newest release. Praying for God's complete healing for your body...he already has your mind and soul. Blessings. I don't have an M3 player, but what a delightful way to share good music.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Carrie! I can't go through a day without my plans being waylaid. It seems that something is always happening to demand my attention, taking me away from what I have planned for my day. I'm not complaining Much of the time my daughter needs my help with my grandloves, ages 4 and twins age 1. That's a blessing! It's the emergency calls that rock my world. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteBECKY, When I started the Overcoming with God blog, I was still working as a psychologist. I wanted author testimonies about overcoming that would bring glory to God. And every author has something they've had to deal with. Not all are willing to share. But: Revelation 12:11King James Version (KJV)
ReplyDelete11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
ELIZABETH VT
ReplyDeleteTY. I love what you said:
"those are the times when deep etching happens in my soul, like a wood cutter making deep cuts to express his artistry. It's also in that waiting that, as C.S. Lewis said, God shouts in our pain (it's easier to feel close due to all the distractions falling aside). No one will tell you this is the secret gift until you emerge on the other side."
Wow, you've been through a lot but I can tell by your words that God has blessed you in that turmoil!
Hugs!!!
NATALIE TY! That's cute how you put it:
ReplyDeleteGarrett's quiet ways are so unintentionally charming.
:D
That's how I found Garrett! He was just so steady and he really grew on me as I got to know him. He was most at ease when he was creating with wood. And his theme song was You Are I Am by Mercy Me. And that really spoke to me--the singer's voice could have been Garrett's, and the song, the song of his heart
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WDGK6WNX
Blessings!
Hey DEE, Thanks so much!!! BTW, the download is an MP3 song. You don't need an MP3 player. I had to have my young son explain to me how this worked, last year. I play mine on Amazon in my music library. I just go to the library, after I've purchased the song, and I find it and click on it and it plays on the computer. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteNANCEE, Great to see you here! Isn't that the way of it, though? Those emergencies and those setbacks. And when you have to perform extra unplanned chores that completely highjack plans--yup, that's tricky. Praying for you and your grand loves. I only have a grand puppy and just watching him has tired me out lol!!!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU, SEEKERVILLIANS and GUESTS!!! THANKS, JULIE, for having me on!!!
ReplyDelete