Friday, February 10, 2017

Matters of the Heart or Cardiac Events by Sally Chambers



Sally Chambers
We writers are passionate about our calling, but what do we do when lifes events or insecurities inhibit our abilities to do what we love? Author Sally Chambers offers encouraging words. 
~ Dawn

Matters of the Heart or Cardiac Events

He’s in such pain! Lord, what do I do?

“No, I’ll be okay, honey, no need to call anyone. It will pass.” But the pain quickly becomes massive.

He sits on the floor, holding his chest.

In an instant, he’s no longer sitting.

Six months prior to Jerry’s cardiac event, intrigued and curious one day, I watched a YouTube video. It depicted a newly-developed CPR technique that I promptly forgot about—until the afternoon when there was the stillness of death, no breath, no heartbeat. I’m thankful for those precious moments of simply watching the video and believe they’re part of the miracle of Jerry’s healing.

As a writer, tough and foreign to me was the negativity and stalled creativity that crept in during the five years after my husband approached heaven’s gates in cardiac arrest. I’m praising God that he’s doing well now and has no memory of the most devastating part of his illness. But me? I’m still surprised by touches of the traumatic aftermath of stress from all that happened before my eyes.

In the midst of the five years came the blessing of acceptance from my publisher of a novel I’d worked on for years after my retirement from the business world. Then there came the wonderful day in May 2015, when prayers were answered and dreams came true.

At times in my writing life, I’ve wandered, aimless and depressed, into the weedy fields of negativity. “Lord, I’m over writing.” “I just can’t do it.” “Others are so much better.” “This manuscript will never leave its draft form.” “How can I do these edits—I can’t even think, Lord!”

But I’ve learned my love of writing is irrepressible. And I’ve gotten through those times with the faith and knowledge that I’m upheld by God’s righteous right hand, His forever presence, and His never-ending love. There’s no holding back something that longs to find a way out. It’s like squeezing a lump of soft clay through your fingers.

When God has given you the gift of writing, no matter what you write—novels, articles, short stories, poetry, journaling, letters, or a daily to-do list—allow yourself, your heart and soul, to burst with love for Him who gave it. And never, ever give up. Turn to Him for His freshening breath of life as you write for Him.

With Valentine’s Day less than a week away I’m thinking of things connected with love. I write of passionate love for my Creator, the precious love I continue to share with my high school sweetheart, my love of writing to uplift others. And the list goes on. How could I not help but write to you of love from my heart?

Lord, You whisper love into our hearts—love that sifts into our souls and lifts our eyes to You. Let us in turn whisper Your love to others through writing that moves heaven and earth to clear a path from their hearts to Yours.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NKJV)



TWEETABLES:

What do we do when lifes events or insecurities inhibit our abilities to write? Author Sally Chambers offers encouraging words. Click to tweet.

There’s no holding back something that longs to find a way out. It’s like squeezing a lump of soft clay through your fingers. Click to tweet.

When God has given you the gift of writing, no matter what you write, allow yourself, your heart and soul, to burst with love for Him who gave it. Click to tweet.




For the past eighteen years, Lexi Christensen has been sheltered from the truth by a soft-cushioned life of normalcy, until the contents of an envelope link her to an ancient vow. All Lexi wants is to get out from between the vise grips of her suddenly protective parents, rescue an historic mansion before she leaves for college, and stop herself from falling in love with the man her best friend claims to love. But finding the envelope thrusts her into difficult and dangerous choices. Someone knows more about Lexi’s heritage than she does, wants what she’s found, and threatens her life to get it.

As her future twists into an incredible mission that propels her from her sand-ringed island home to a foreign mountaintop, Lexi is in a race against both time and danger. Her faith may be strong, but is God asking too much?



Sally Chambers and her husband, Jerry, live in sunny, sub-tropical Florida, happy to have their two married children living within driving distance. Their grandchildren and great grandchildren visit from the UK and Colorado! Since retiring from her career in insurance, she’s focused on her love of writing. 

An author of Christian fiction, Sally enjoys writing for young women, creating suspenseful, faith-filled stories with a dash of romance. She was a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s inaugural First Impressions Contest and has won awards for her poetry and short stories. 

Sally loves walking on the beach or anywhere there’s a trail, enjoys reading to children, writing, reviewing and editing for writer friends, has fun taking photos with her iPhone, and reading, especially mystery, suspense, adventure.

Connect with Sally and learn more about her work by visiting these online sites:

Sally Chambers:  Amazon Author Page