God works through our testimonies

I don't often encourage talking about yourself, yet I often find myself talking about myself, especially when writing. Let it be stated, I am not talking about myself because I think I'm great, it's to somewhat attempt to share how God works in such intricate ways, that it's truly life changing.

Here's a testimony.

I recently wrote a book. It is a 40 day devotion, that once I decided I was going to write, the words flooded out of me. Last year, I was in a very dark place, atleast it looked that way outwardly. What was happening inside was the Master Craftsman was at work within me. He took me through a journey of Scripture that healed my brokenness and comforted me until the process was complete with deliverance and releasing the bondage (anxiety and stress) I had been carrying to God. It was a freedom I had never felt before and I felt others could relate. So, I wrote a book to use as a "tool" to guide readers through this Scripture and testimony book of encouragement and growth.

Since I completed the book, I've been loosely researching publishers. I will admit, this process overwhelms me a bit, because I feel absolutely clueless. I've reached out to a cousin and a close friend whom both have published books under their belts, and have picked their brains for first hand advice. One recommended a publisher she had just decided to do business with, after going the self publishing route a few times. I reached out this publisher to gather research. A few weeks passed and we had a "phone call appointment" about an hour ago. I will admit, I hung up the phone feeling a little bit in over my head. Many decisions to make, what's the right one?

I popped online to read up a little bit. Weighing the option of self publishing, agency, or independent publishing. While online, I decided to look up this publisher again (the first time I just glanced at the website) to get a feel for them through the website. I clicked on the "About me" section" and was stopped in my tracks.

I will offer a little background at this point. Last year, when I traveled the wilderness experience, it was on the heals of my husband having a fairly rough recovery from his 3rd kidney transplant. A transplant which we did not plan. He literally got a call in the middle of the night to go to the hospital for surgery. Our life at that time was not equipped to handle a major surgery, let alone complicated recovery. We had a baby who was only 5 months old, along with two older kids. Talk about a whirlwind. I'm convinced the timing was no accident. God used it, as He always does. The background is relevant when I tell you this next piece.

This publisher stated in their "about me" section that he was infact a part of the "One Kidney Club" as a recipient of a kidney transplant! My jaw dropped! God is often not very subtle when I have revelations. He knows I can be sort of dense, so He does often use jaw droppers, but it never ceases to blow me away!

Here we have it, a publisher that knows exactly what it's like to be a "kidney family" was being considered to publish my book that was inspired in a round about way by a kidney transplant and all of the pieces were falling together under my nose, in a way that only can come together when it's God in the drivers seat!

He even offered me a "donor discount" because I shared with him that I was my husband's 2nd kidney donor.

It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds....

A testimony worthy of sharing

You may be in the midst of a trial today. Or you have some trials from the past that feel as though they won't rest. We spend time trying to figure out the why behind it. "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart; and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5. 

Have you ever stopped to think about maybe, just maybe, God is at work right now in your life, painting a picture that is bigger than you are. The things that we go through, they aren't just for us to experience, they are there to share our faith. Faith is real from the beginning, but it takes faith testing experiences to develop just how deep that faith can be. God has chosen YOU to be a part of His story of showing up. When I think about God's glory, I think perfect and beautiful. Why is it then that when we are going through trials, we feel far from perfect and beautiful? It's as if God is leading us right to His feet, to bow down and ASK Him to show the way. "Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow." Psalm 25:4. 

It's the act of submitting our day to the Lord,  the one who knows the outcome of the day, and resisting temptation to "make it better". As you look back at your life, what stands out? Is there shame or regret? I urge you to consider that shame and regret are not from our Loving Father. He may be urging you to bring it to Him and release it. Once that is done, your past is not shameful, it's your testimony of finding faith. Your testimony is in the making. The good, the bad, the downright ugly. Is all coming together, to share why God is to be glorified for His faithfulness, His love, His mercy, His hand on our every day. Even when we don't put Him first, we are always His first. His only. Personal intricate love, gifted to you. 

There may come a time when all you've been through is calling to be shared. It is vulnerable to share the trials you have been through. I imagine some of them may hurt a little bit to think about. These are times that have earned your attention. They are there for teaching, not for regret. And, if they've taught you, they may be used to teach others too!

You may be thinking, how would I even ever get into words all I've been through? Just talk. The Holy Spirit fills in the gaps of what needs to be shared and to whom to share it with. Don't force it, just be open and willing. 

"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." 2 Timothy 1:8-9

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7

Don't allow anything you've been through pull you away from Christ, He is your Savior, He knows you and loves you for who you are and will not turn His back on you, He simply washed you clean with His blood.