I was recently asked in an interview to share a time I felt God’s separation—His departure from my story. I was unclear whether the context of the question meant God Himself stepping back and rejecting it, or the plague of writers known as writer’s block. Ugh, writer’s block. I’m told that comes from not knowing the characters well enough. I am not a plotter. I rely heavily on God while writing, and God knows my characters and the story He wants me to tell, even when I do not.
I stared at the question, not knowing what to say. I have known disappointment when a story I felt close to was rejected by a publisher. I have been saddened by not always achieving the dream for my books I wanted, but I have never known God to leave me or my story.
God’s word brings a promise: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’” Hebrews 13-5:6.
God doesn’t ask us to write any of our stories alone. He will never abandon us and will answer our prayers for clarity of words, for the guidance in writing plot, for wisdom in the spiritual application. Jesus is the only one who can honestly say, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46.
His presence may seem faint or quiet at times, but it is never absent. He always stays near, sometimes reaching us through a song, a friend or loved one, another book, His Word, or a walk through the woods while we spend time in prayer and meditation. His Word guarantees that we are constantly kept.
How do you find God’s voice when He seems quiet?
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| About the Author |
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| Laura V. Hilton |
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 Christmas Admirer. 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
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
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?
For more posts by Laura V. Hilton, click here.
