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| Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 |
Three weeks ago, I thought my prodigal was doing so well. Two part-time jobs, he was paying rent and was talking about how he learned his lessons, he was going to do this, that, and the next thing. All positive. I was so encouraged.
And then I found out he was kicked out of his rented room, had a drug-related seizure, and lost both jobs in one smooth move. Snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory. I cried. I’m still sick to my stomach just thinking about it. And worse, I don’t know where he is. His phone is disconnected, I’m back to worrying about the police showing up to arrest him for nonpayment of fines, or worse, to tell me he’s not alive.
Or even worse than that, to find his body on my front deck.
Yes, I’m a writer. I imagine these things (shudder).
I have two deadlines in the next four months. I don’t have time to waste ringing my hands, crying, stressing over how he could be so…foolish, and all the other drama that comes with having five children, a job, and a life outside of writing.
I had no time to mope. But how do you write through this?
I took a day to pray and read the Bible. I told myself that working would keep my mind focused on other things (not that my son is ever far from my thoughts and prayers) and that I still have obligations to meet. Crawling into a cave, hiding and eating chocolate wasn’t an option. I had others pray for me and my son.
And then I prayed some more, "I need some encouragement, God!!!"
My book, LOVE BY THE NUMBERS just released and my publisher had a blog tour for it. And one of the reviewers made a meme from a quote in my book.
“The future is scary and uncertain. Maybe we’re supposed to cling to God for today and let Him worry about tomorrow.”
Um. Yeah.
But I think I can do a much better job worrying about things. He can see the future and knows what will happen. I can’t and don’t. But I can cling to Him. I can “Just Breathe” (song by Johnny Diaz) and be still and know that He is God… He has it. I don’t.
I read recently that if we can trust God to keep the universe running smoothly, why can’t we trust Him with our own problems?
Ouch.
So, this is me, again, handing my son and all the drama over to Him. Being still, and knowing He is God. And trying to trust. Focusing on breathing.
Putting one foot in front of the other…
And letting my fingers tap-dance on the keyboard.
How do you let go of stress? What are some of the verses you cling to?
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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/
Love by the Numbers
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| Love by the Numbers by Laura V. Hilton |
After her fiancé dies in a buggy accident, Lydia Hershberger is invited to Jamesport to manage her Mennonite aunt’s gift store while her aunt and uncle are on a mission trip. While there, Lydia gets acquainted with her aentie’s best friend, Bethel Bontrager, and her grown son, Caleb. Lydia is surprised to find herself drawn to a handsome clockmaker, Caleb Bontrager. But in spite of an instant flame of attraction between them, he doesn’t seem interested. In fact, pesky Caleb treats her like he doesn’t even like her.
Bright and sparkly. That’s Caleb’s first impression of Lydia. He’s always been attracted to sparkly things. In fact, his affinity for those things, and the trouble they can cause are exactly why he’s determined to change his ways and settle down. With Lydia’s aentie gone, he is handling the books for the gift shop and is forced to spend too much time in her presence.
When God offers Lydia a second chance at love and family, will she take it? Or will the secret Caleb harbors cause her even more heartbreak?
Laura V. Hilton posts the first Tuesday of every month. For more of Laura's posts, click here.
