Springtime - A Season of the Spirit by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

Allow me to push back the hands of the clock by a couple of weeks. For a number of reasons, I ached for a spirit boost. Much weighed me down, and I longed for rejuvenation. For pure joy.

So, there I was, a 50-something, playing a spirited game of ‘chase’ through the backyard with a chattering, giggling 14-month-old. My grandson dropped by for a grandpa and grandma visit and the day was picture perfect. A glimpse of spring in all its glory. I sat next to my grand-joy and watched in fascination while he plucked grass blades and explored little sticks with the high-beam focus of a scientist on the brink of great discovery. Then, just as quickly, he looked to the sky in wide-eyed wonder as he examined the cotton ball clouds and bird life. His absorption and happiness froze me still for a time.

I fell into a much-needed sense of awe that has lingered in my soul and carries me now through a somewhat dark period of unexpectedly burying a dear and close family member.

I close my eyes and see his unencumbered joy as soft breezes skimmed his skin, sifting through his hair. He found delight by simply bouncing on his bottom in the cool, sweet grass. His smile and laughter, and even his singing, carried to us while we took him on a stroller ride through our neighborhood.

His reaction to the world around him left me thinking about passion, uncomplicated happiness, and that spontaneous burst of happiness that can take a soul by storm and lift you high.

Jesus advised: Focus on the moment. Don’t re-hash the past or fret over the future (of course, I paraphrase here… ::smile!::) We’re not in the past any longer, and only God knows the future. Live for now. Savor every blessing that comes to life in every season of your life.

Those moments, that truth, is helping me to find ‘spring’ – not just in the changing of the seasons, but in the attitude of my heart as well. Happy Easter season, friends, and tell me, how do you find and celebrate your own Resurrections? 

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Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Hearts Communion earned a win for Best Romance from the Christian Small Publisher's Association. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award, Then & Now for Best Contemporary Romance and Finding Home for Best Novella. Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President.

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Amy Monarch is a tireless volunteer at the Dupont Rescue and Recovery Center, an establishment for the destitute founded by her mother. There, Amy has kept her identity a carefully guarded secret. She is actually Princess Amelia Marguerite Louise DeLaGrande of Remeth. Working at Dupont offers the opportunity to serve in blessed disguise.

Fresh into a promising career in commercial real estate brokerage, Patrick Sawyer returns to the picturesque isle of Remeth intending to reconnect with his collegiate study abroad friends and figure out 'what's next' in his life. Since his father's passing, the world he knows leaves him uninspired. He volunteers at Dupont during his visit and becomes enchanted by Amy.

But Amelia is trapped within a silken web. When she reveals who she is, Patrick pulls back. He's not interested in royalty--at all--but how can she ever break free? How can she find a way to service and God's plan for her life? Most of all, how can she reconcile the call she feels toward a remarkable man who may be 'common,' yet is 'uncommon' when it comes to matters of the heart?

Being About the Father's Business by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

“His Father in Heaven trusted him to fulfill the greatest mission of all. Jesus was about his Father's business until the bitter end. Even as he hung on the cross, he won souls for the Lord. We too have a mission for the Lord.” ~ Ruth Mytty, St. Monica Reflections Team

Those words are part of a daily devotion I read each day, and they gave me a lot to think about at church this weekend as Scripture verses unrolled, revealing the triumphant journey Jesus took to Jerusalem, and the rapid-fire fall from public favor that left him questioning everything.

Yes. Everything.

The most sacred season in the Christian calendar—Holy Week—is under way. As I near the end of Lent and my ‘journey through the desert,’ I’ve come to recognize, strongly, the Jesus was uncertain. Jesus questioned Himself. Jesus wondered whether or not He had accomplished God’s plan. He had doubts, like me. He was uncertain and fearful, like me. He wasn’t sure of his mission, like me.

Writing is a call I’ve embraced with all that I am. It’s a blessing I never take for granted. Does that make it easy? Oh, no. In fact, lately, my writing life has been fraught with timing struggles, insecurity and self-doubt. In my present season of change and challenge—of beauty and shifting priorities, I find myself struggling to focus on writing and carve out enough time to create. What does that mean?

Does that mean I’m not meant to continue writing? Is the process of creating books what He still wants from me? It’s not that I don’t love writing. It fires and inspires me like nothing else. It’s not that I don’t have stories to tell. God keeps planting fertile plot seeds. My struggle stems from finding the time and energy to write fresh pages each day.

In the shifting sands of life, I’ve found the only way through is to pray—to seek God’s guiding voice—to listen, and pay attention to the movement of His hand in my life. A hiatus from writing isn’t an option when such things as new releases, book tours and commissioned future titles fill my view. Yes, it’s challenging. Yes, the degree of influencing factors in my life sometimes leave my head to spin, but that’s when I think of Jesus and his very same struggle with the Mission God gave him.

Jesus understands. He had to battle turmoil. That’s assuring to me. No matter what the calling, I want always to be about the Father’s business. No matter the outward constraints, I intend to embrace my mission and rely on the prayerful support and encouragement of the people He leads into that path. That’s what leads me to the other side of doubts and anxiety.

If you’d enjoy more inspiration from St. Monica’s Parish, here’s the link where you can sign up for their daily devotions: ST MONICA’S PA RISH DAILY REFLECTIONS I’ve been a subscriber for years, and can’t tell you how many times the messages these authors share have lifted me up.

God bless, and HAPPY EASTER, friends!!!!

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Be about the Father's business
Experiencing a season of doubt in your mission? Jesus has been there.

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Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Hearts Communion earned a win for Best Romance from the Christian Small Publisher's Association. Finding Home won the Selah award for Best Novella. Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President.

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Country music bad boy Chase Bradington is on the comeback trail. Fresh from rehab for alcohol addiction, and transformed by the power of Christ, Chase is battling to rediscover the music he loves and a career he nearly ruined. Then he meets up and comer, Pyper Brock, and instantly sparks ignite.

Pyper knows of Chase’s reputation, so despite a rampant attraction to the handsome and talented icon, she soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. Decades ago, her father, in a drunken rage, tossed her and her mother onto the streets. No way will Pyper make the mistake of falling for a man whose done battle with the bottle.

What happens when Chase’s quest to win Pyper’s love breaks down chains of resentment and eases the long buried wounds of her childhood? And what happens when Pypers father shows up in Nashville, clean, sober and seeking a chance to apologize?

Can Pyper follow a pathway to peace when it comes to her father? Can she fully trust Chase? Above all, can a sin damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness?

Releasing 11/1/2016 ~ Available for pre-order now at Amazon.com in PRINT and E-BOOK formats

The Stories In Their Faces by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

The Easter season has inspired me to consider the way my writing has evolved over the years. At the intersection of the pew and the main aisle of my church, I found a purpose. I found the means by which to fulfill a call on my heart that existed long before I was fully able to acknowledge it, or put God’s plan into motion.

Ever since middle school I considered myself a writer. I’ve always gravitated toward words, scenes and images that would bring emotions to life. Furthermore, I fell in love with the idea of…love.

My first publications were secular. I wrote for Kensington Publishing; after that I was contracted by The Wild Rose Press for a book titled With This Kiss. When I worked my way through edits on that story, something struck me, something  some might refer to as a ‘game changer.’

The end of that secular romance was decidedly Christian, and left me thinking about the fact that, for the longest time, I had wanted to write Christian fiction and romance, but didn’t feel worthy, or like I had a suitable story to tell.

God made use of that yearning. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, He was leading me straight to where I am now. The craving to write never left me, even through the fits and starts of contracts/no contracts – raising kids/maintaining a corporate job to help raise and college-fund said kids…

I went to church one fateful Good Friday—a service at which I’m always emotional and overwhelmed by Christ’s love and sacrifice—and noticed so many different things. Ushers readily helping the disabled, people gathered to honor the season, our friends and family giving us hugs, kisses and well-wishes as we served at Mass and joined our long-time worship community at the altar of God’s greatest gift.

During communion I found myself drawn once more to the people who filed forward. Most of them were strangers to me. That didn’t matter. I saw their faces. I saw individuals. I saw…stories. I saw them the way I hope and pray Jesus sees me while I live and love, struggle and savor, succeed and fail. I thought of them in a context of pure, unencumbered love, a people full of God’s hope and promise.

What greater gift could I have ever been given as a writer? From that moment on, I stormed the gates with my pen and my heart, and the gift of words He gave me from my youth. I determined from that point on to craft stories that I pray will do Him some form of humble praise and homage. As this season of rebirth and warm, sunny promise reminds me, this life, this journey is all about Him. It’s all about God’s kingdom being revealed and shared.

Where are you seeking renewal? Whatever your hope, always remember: You are cherished…you are loved. Alleluia!

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At theintersection of the pew and the main aisle of my church, I found a purpose.

Alwaysremember: You are cherished…you are loved.

Seekingrenewal? Find it in the faces, and stories, of the people around you. 

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Marianne’s latest release, Date Night, is part of the new Pure Amore imprint at Pelican Book Group! Pure Amore is a ‘book of the month’ subscription service featuring Christian romances centered on the concept of pre-marital purity and abstinence that doesn’t surrender one moment of the thrill to be found when two people fall in love!

Check out Date Night and the other wonderful Pre Amore titles at:

http://pure.pelicanbookgroup.com/

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Marianne Evans is a multi-award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction with over twenty titles to her credit. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create.

Readers laud her work as: ‘Riveting.’ ‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’ Devotion, earned the prestigious Bookseller’s Best Award from Greater Detroit RWA as well the Heart of Excellence Award from Ancient City Romance Authors. She also earned wins for Best Romance from the Christian Small Publisher's Association and the Selah award for Best Novella.

Happily married and the mother of two, Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan who is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President.

Connect with Marianne: Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon ~ Pinterest