God Was in Control This Monday by Zoe M. McCarthy

Sunday, I prayed and hoped for a good writing day on Monday. My deadline is fast approaching, and I needed uninterrupted writing time. 

Zoe M. McCarthy

That night, the electricity went out. I prayed and hoped it would return before my good writing day started. It didn’t. Disappointed, I told John I would drive to Independence to work in their library. Hopefully, I could get much done on my story there. I packed my laptop and notes and drove to Independence.

As I entered the small town, the first traffic light wasn’t working. My shoulders slumped. I’d have to drive on to Galax to find electricity. At the Independence shopping center, the traffic light worked! I turned into the Food City parking lot. The store’s lights were beaming.

A young woman sat on the ground, leaning against the grocery store wall. I buzzed down my window and asked her if the lights had just come on at Food City. She said the store ran on a generator. Independence had no electricity. I said I would drive on to Galax. She asked if she could catch a ride.

This sweet young woman was on disability because she has a hard time coping. She was so medicated that sometimes I couldn’t understand her. When she said that people were blessed to live in such a beautiful area here, I took that opening. I said she sounded like she knew the Lord. She admitted she was not where she wanted to be with God. She said she didn’t read the Bible like she should, but she didn’t understand the Bible. I told her I had been where she was and had written two books of contemporary Christian short stories to explain to myself what I read in the Bible. At that point, God took over and I gave her my testimony, something I rarely do.

When I dropped her off, I gave her copies of my books of Christian short stories, one of my romances, my business card, and a hug. Then I called John, and he said the lights were on. So, I turned around and drove home.

I think the Lord wanted me to recognize that He has better plans than my plans. I wouldn’t have gone to Independence if we’d had electricity. I wouldn’t have driven through town to Galax if the stoplight had been working. I wouldn’t have turned into the Food City lot if the stoplight there had been dead. I wouldn’t have spoken to the young woman if I hadn’t wanted to make sure the lights were back on. I wouldn’t have normally witnessed to anyone. And I never carry my books of Christian short stories in my car. Never. But I had them that day.

God is an awesome orchestrator for His glory and purposes.

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 has 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/

For more Seriously Write posts by Zoe M. McCarthy, click here.

Worshipful Writers Series II: "I Could Write A Book"

"I Could Write A Book"

Worshipful Writers Series: Part Two
Net's Notations Tuesdays

Your marvelous doings are headline news;
I could write a book full of the details of your greatness. (Psalm 145:6 MSG)

“Write what you know.” We’ve all heard the phrase and applied it to our writing. Not only is this easier than including something we don’t understand, it’s wisdom because the words will have a greater impact on the reader. There’s conviction behind your words because you know they’re true. And readers will discern you're truly relating with them.

Recently, a fellow critique partner brought her first chapter with a synopsis for us to review. One of her scenes—of a father abandoning his daughter—broke my heart. Though this writer had not actually experienced abandonment by her own father, she did understand a little girls’ heart for her daddy. I just about burst into tears there at McDonalds.

So, think about what God has done for you.

On Easter Sunday our worship team performed a special entitled “Believe.” One of the phrases in the song is “Take a look at all the places where He’s brought you from. It’s the impossible. Believe it’s possible.” I interpret that to mean: look at what God’s done in your life. He has done the impossible, brought you from where you were to where you are. Believe Him to do the same going forward. He’s already done the impossible, believe the future is possible in Him. When I consider what God has done for me, I’m filled with praises. Worship becomes fresh because I am so grateful and so amazed at His power and goodness, His love and favor.

We will minister to hearts by including that understanding in our writing. You’ve been there. You’ve felt that pain. God pursued you, took your hand, brought you out. Now you can help others rise.

Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, you have a message because of your testimony and what God’s done for you. Writing around that testimony will minister to people. It will elicit worship from you and the reader toward God.

Including your testimony in your writing is another way you serve God as a worshipful writer.

Annette