God Makes Clear His Call—Eventually by Zoe M. McCarthy

Zoe M. McCarty

For many years, my sister invited me to attend Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). BSF is an international, nondenominational,, and comprehensive Bible study. I resisted. I had enough on my plate. I worked full-time; I was working to get published; I was taking another Bible study; I was … blah, blah, blah.

Then in 2004, I prepared to attend two conferences on the same trip. I would fly from Richmond, Virginia to Denver for my first American Christian Romance Writers (now American Christian Fiction Writers) conference. I would have a full day after the writers’ meetings before I would fly to Las Vegas for a business symposium.

Because my dream of becoming a published writer was progressing far too slowly, I desired confirmation that writing was God’s will. So, during the extra day between the two conferences, I planned to hold a fast in my Denver hotel room and seek God’s will.

At the writers’ conference, the keynote speaker, Francine Rivers, shared that BSF changed her life. My jaw dropped. BSF! One of my favorite authors attended BSF?

At lunch, I sat at author Robin Hatcher’s table. As she chatted with us, she mentioned going to BSF.

OK. What was going on here?

After the conference, I fasted, prayed, and read the Bible, seeking God’s will concerning my writing. But God had already spoken to me through my sister and two respected authors. He simply confirmed I was to attend BSF. He conveyed nothing about my writing, but the circumstances spoke loudly about BSF. As soon as I returned home, I signed up.

I spent seven years in BSF, five in leadership as a children’s leader. After three years in BSF, He clearly confirmed that I was to finish four more before we retired to the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, where I would write as a nine-to-six job. During that time of commitment and hard work, God encouraged me with small writing successes as I learned to write.

With hindsight and four books either published or contracted now, I believe God wanted me drenched in His Word before I wrote for Him full-time.

How has God made a calling clear to you?

About the Author

A full-time writer and speaker, Zoe M. McCarthy, author of Gift of the Magpie and Calculated Risk, writes contemporary Christian romances involving tenderness and humor. Believing that opposites distract, Zoe creates heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences. When she’s not writing, Zoe enjoys her five grandchildren, teaching Bible studies, leading workshops on writing, knitting and crocheting shawls for a prayer shawl ministry, gardening, and canoeing. She lives with her husband in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Zoe blogs regularly at www.zoemmccarthy.com.


Gift of the Magpie

Gift of the Magpie
by Zoe M. McCarthy

Amanda Larrowe’s lack of trust sabotages her relationships. The English teacher and award-winning author of middle-grade adventure books for boys shut off communication with friends and family to meet her January 2 book deadline. Now, in the deepest snow accumulation Richmond, Virginia has experienced in years, Camden Lancaster moves in across the street. After ten years, her heart still smarts from the humiliating aftermath of their perfect high school Valentine’s Day date. He may have transformed into a handsome, amiable man, but his likeability doesn’t instill trust in Amanda’s heart. When Cam doesn’t recognize her on their first two encounters, she thinks it’s safe to be his fair-weather neighbor. Boy, is she wrong.

Purchase link for Gift of the Magpie: https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Magpie-Zoe-M-McCarthy-ebook/dp/B073M8X4YZ/


Zoe M. McCarthy is a regular contributor for Seriously Write. To read her other posts, click here.