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| Laura V. Hilton |
A couple of Sundays ago, the story was about David and Goliath. Familiar, right? Ever notice how the familiar sometimes becomes unfamiliar? So many ideas came out during that discussion that I’d never considered as a child.
For example, Goliath was disrespectful to God when he yelled the taunts and challenges to Israel. Obvious, right?
I never thought about it.
David was already familiar with fighting savage beasts when he took on Goliath. Lions. Bears. Not many of us would—or could—take on a wild lion and win! Yet he learned early on that the battle is the Lord’s and with God all things are possible. Because of that, he didn’t hesitate to turn Goliath over to God.
What about the five stones? Was a lack of faith that caused him to pick up more than one? Or did he know that God would do it with the first one?
After Goliath was down, David ran forward, grabbed him by the head, and cut it off. Another approach he probably learned from fighting wild animals. Control the head, you control the body.
I am, as you know from my last few posts, struggling so much. And my faith wavers as I struggle and hits the dirt time and time again. I wrote a note that Sunday and stuck it in my Bible.
Prayer concerns:
1. My oldest son.
2. Finances
3. The trip to Virginia (I’m scared to drive through big cities)
4. My writing
And a note underneath. “God, the battle is yours. I’m giving it all to you.”
Well, I’m happy to report that God handled No. 3. I survived the trip to Virginia and back home. The other three are still prayer concerns and in fact, Nos. 1 and 2 have only gotten worse. Plus I had to add my other son to the revised list and my oldest daughter.
So the revised note is stuck in the Psalms, specifically one of those sections where David is crying out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Another place where I wonder: was David prophesying Jesus’ words on the cross, or was Jesus was quoting David then? ) Still, David went on to praise the Lord for answering prayers and providing for his needs.
I left Sunday school that day with my toes very sore. If David could trust God with a real live, physical giant like Goliath who could potentially eradicate the entire population of Israel, why couldn’t I trust God with my giants?
When I was writing The Christmas Admirer, I think God knew I’d have lions and giants of my own this year. I’m struggling as I face them.
But even as my young girls hear me cry out, “Are you listening to me, God,” they encourage me that He does hear my prayers. He is listening. He will answer. It’s so humbling to see to their trust.
I am hanging on to Hebrews 11:1,
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13, too.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
Lord, I’m seeking You will all my heart. And I’m trying to grow my faith. It is rather sobering to know I don’t even have faith the size of a mustard seed. Hear my cry, oh Lord, and hearken unto me. And to You be the glory, honor and praise, forever and ever. Amen.
Are you fighting giants in your life? What verses do you hold on to?
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| About the Author |
Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015.
See below for information on Laura's latest, The Amish Firefighter. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.
Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton or@Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
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The Christmas Admirer
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| The Christmas Admirer by Laura V. Hilton |
Benaiah Troyer has loved Susanna King for as long as he can remember, but other than a lone summer filled with romantic buggy rides, marrying her remains an elusive dream. When his parents died in an accident a year ago, he broke up with her—for her own good. After all, they left him as the sole caregiver for his three younger sisters and his grandparents. What woman wants to step into a ready-made family like his? Still, he leaves her monthly gifts from “A Secret Admirer,” hoping she’ll know that someone loves her, even though he isn’t free to step forward.
Susanna has never gotten over losing Benaiah, and hopes he’s her secret admirer, but now the clock is ticking. Susanna’s father is remarrying in January and his wife-to-be doesn’t want to leave her Amish community and family in Iowa. So when Susanna’s daed sells his glass-blowing business to his right-hand man, Benaiah, she’s left with three options: 1) Go with Daed to his new home with a new frau and step-kinner, 2) Flush out her mysterious secret admirer, or 3) Resign herself to life as an old maid. She doesn’t want to follow Daed where his new frau is leading him. And number three isn’t happening. Marrying Benaiah is her greatest desire—but he broke her heart, and now he treats her like a pesky younger sister. Can she make him see her as a woman, one who could stand by his side as he cares for his family?
As Christmas approaches, Susanna and her friends start making gingerbread houses for select members of the community. Susanna plans for hers to go to Benaiah’s family. But while her gingerbread may find a home—will her heart?
