Blessings to you this new year! Chances are, the start of a new calendar hasn’t changed the circumstances we were living in 2020. Although I believe better times are coming, I know I’ve struggled battling frustration and fear with all that’s happening around us.
One of the experiences are family had been going through the latter half of 2020 was my mom’s health. An intensely private person, I wasn’t able to release the full picture of what was happening. Mom was the healthiest lady running circles around people half her age. However, in September, everything changed. We nearly lost her then, and at the time they suspected COVID. Because of that, they isolated me with her as they tried to save her life. She ended up being life flighted to another hospital, and I was allowed to fly with her. Not quite how I wanted to check off my bucket list helicopter ride, but I hold on to the beauty God gave me that night with the constellations feeling within reach during that flight.
Mom ended up battling pneumonia and a bleeding ulcer, and I stayed with her for nearly two months so my sister could start moving in with her school age son. I cared for mom while my sister juggled the move and teaching during a pandemic. Mom’s recovery was slow, but progressing. By November we learned that she had h.pylori infection, the cause of so much pain and suffering. Once antibiotics started, she improved. They added iron transfusions, and by the last week in December, she sprung to life. The first few days of the new year she was nearly back to her old self.
That’s why we’re numb. As I type this post, her funeral is tomorrow. Both my parents are gone. It’s such an empty feeling.
During these last months, there truly were praises, and there were times I won’t understand this side of heaven. There were also huge waiting periods between being isolated in the ER, waiting rooms, ICU room, and being at the house where I found comfort. Bible reading. Boxes and boxes of Famous Amos cookies. And reading Inspy Romance.
Although my Kindle shelf is a bit outdated, I still thought I’d share some of the titles that have comforted me during the last few months. If you haven’t read them, then you can add them to your list. I also read a bit of non fiction and inspy romantic suspense, but here’s my inspy romance comfort reads.
What books have you recently read that gave you a feelng of contentment?
Barely Above Water by Gail Pallotta
An illness comes out of nowhere and strikes Suzie Morris. Her boyfriend dumps her. She has no living family, and her physician can’t diagnose the malady.
Suzie relies on her Christian faith as she faces the uncertainty of the disease, and turns to a renowned alternative doctor in Destin, Florida. She takes a job coaching a county-sponsored summer swim team. She’s determined to turn the fun, sometimes comical, rag-tag bunch into winners.
Her handsome boss renews her belief in love, but learns of her mysterious affliction and abruptly cuts romantic ties. Later he has regrets, but can he overcome his fear of losing a loved one and regain Suzie’s trust?
More Than This by Staci Stallings
Liz Savoy has no plans to date anyone—least of all the dark handsome mystery man who sometimes inhabits the corner table at the coffee shop where she’s working to get through school. But plans change, sometimes in ways no one expected.
Jake McCoy is the next mega-millionaire author, or at least he would be if he could get the stories in his head down on the ether. With no good place to write, he resorts to dark corners in Wi-Fi hotspots, knowing no one in the world cares about him or his comings and goings one way or the other. However, there is one waitress at The Grind coffee shop with a cute smile and kind eyes who doesn’t seem to think he is as invisible as he likes to think he is. Can reality with her ever hope to match the fantasy world where his imagination has him living?
What could be worse than being laid off right before the holidays? For Starr Lewis that would include returning home jobless, single, and, oh yeah, just in time to attend her sister’s wedding on Christmas Eve… to Starr’s ex-boyfriend. In the midst of it all, her brother’s best friend soon has her wondering if she can take another chance on love.
Maverick Heart by Natalie Bright and Denise F. McAllister
Carli Jameson is used to being on her own – abandoned by her mother as an infant – all she’s ever wanted is to feel like she belongs. She has had no choice except to be strong and independent, but now, can she learn to trust God to be her partner?
Georgia girl, Carli Jameson, inherits a Texas cattle ranch from grandparents she never knew. After much thought, she makes the courageous decision to pack up her life and move to Texas to run the ranch. She forges ahead into a new life filled with uncertainty and along the way discovers a ranching community that becomes the family she never had.
Can a fresh start erase the troubles of her past?
Christmas Belles are Ringing by Lesley Ann McDaniel
The countdown to Christmas is on, but Shelby Hughes just isn’t feeling the spirit.
Having recently relocated to Seattle, Shelby longs for someone special in her life. When a handsome green-eyed stranger walks into the coffee shop where she works, her interest is piqued. Later, she finds a bag containing five beautiful hand-painted Christmas bells on the cream and sugar table. No one comes back to claim it, so she decides to do a little detective work. Does she dare hope that it will lead her to the stranger with the magnetic green eyes?
Chris Bertone loves his job at Impact Ministries, but working day and night has prevented him from having much of a social life. On a whim, he stops for a cup of coffee and is instantly smitten with the beautiful barista. Now, even with everything he has to take care of at work, all he wants to do is find time for another coffee break. But things are so hectic this holiday season, how can he manage to get to know her better without being too overbearing, or breaking his budget on coffee?
Holiday Hearts…seasons of love.
Calling All Couples!
Sign up now. Help us set a record!
On December 10 at 5:00 pm,
we need your help setting a
Guinness World Record
for the most couples
kissing under the mistletoe!
Chase Spencer had been firmly planted in the friend-zone ever since he first met Rachel Anthony back when they were in grade school and it looks like that’s where he’s destined to remain. And her latest scheme is bound to be torture. She wants them to help break the Guinness World Record for the most couples kissing under the mistletoe at one time. How should he handle this? Should the kiss be a chaste, friendly kiss like she envisions? Or should he do it in a way that leaves Rachel without a doubt that he wants to be more than friends?
It had always been Rachel’s dream to break a world record, and who better to do it with than her best friend Chase? And it wasn’t as if they hadn’t kissed before—sixth grade, spin-the-bottle at Iona Puckett’s party—a peck of the lips and it’d be over. Except she missed the part where they had to hold the kiss for ten seconds. And no one warned her of how she would feel afterwards—confused and longing for more. How can she convince Chase to change her status from friend to girlfriend?
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, as well as ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past. The last book in the series, ENGAGED: Surrendering the Future, is coming soon. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She also blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband, two children, and chocolate stash. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com.
Firstly sorry for your loss. Its not easy losing a parent. Praying tomorrow goes well for you all and also praying for the family.
I haven’t read many books besides devotionals and am currently needing a new one cos the one from last year is only available in hardback and just to expensive to have sent to Australia.
My mother died just last August. I still find it hard to believe.
Blessing to you Julie and sorry for your loss. Not sure I have recently read a story that gave me a feeling of contentment. For this retiree, this long year has affected my concentration. I have varied the genre I have been reading. More mysteries and suspense. More novellas. May God grant you his strength tomorrow. Lost my mom in 2007, while teaching full time with a son in high school, which immediately made me my dad’s care giver. Dad passed in 2014. Sending you God’s loving arms to encircle you. Best wishes.
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I have been keeping you and your family in my prayers.
You and I are in the same boat. My Mom passed away Dec. 11, after falling and breaking her hip on Dec. 1. We didn’t have a chance to do surgery, and she quickly went downhill. I’ve been praying for you, since seeing your post on FB. I, too, have found that reading CF is helping me get through, along with making cards, which is bittersweet. I honestly don’t remember it being this hard to get through the days when my Daddy passed, but that was 24 and a half years ago, and I had Mom to help me through. Thankfully, I still have God to get me through, and the assurance that He will!!! Just as He will be with you and your sister!
I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is hard, there’s no way around it. Praying for you.
Throughout 2020, I read more than usual. It seemed there for a while (March) reading was the only thing that could take my mind off reality for even a little while. I tend not to reread, though. I used to, but don’t anymore. Too many new books on my device! I do have “comfort authors” though.
So sorry for your loss. Praying that God will comfort you. Keep remembering the good times.
I’m so sorry for your loss Julie. I know there’s nothing I can really say that would really help you during this awful time, but please know that you are being prayed for and that God is right there with you in the middle of everything.
Ausjenny,
Thank you. God’s peace has been with us the entire time. I’m so thankful for Him.
Devotionals are definitely a comfort. I have read those as well lately.
Blessings to you in 2021!
Mary,
I’m so sorry. That is a feeling I relate to. I feel like she’s resting or off shopping, and we’re just waiting for her to return.
May God continue to wrap His arms around you.
Renate,
Thank you so much. It’s funny, with everything going on I have stayed away from mysteries and suspense for the most part. I’ve craved romance. I believe the escape is good, as well as that “ah” moment when everyone ends up happily ever after.
Caregiving is so, so hard. Unless you’ve been there, no one will understand. What a blessing you were there for your dad.
Thank you, Lori. I appreciate it very much.
Thank you, Paula. I have felt those prayers, we all have. Bless you for being obedient and compassionate.
Trudy,
I have een praying for you as well. The loss of a mother for a daughter, there just aren’t words to explain. I lost my dad in 2004, so now both parents are gone. You’re right, God is there. I feel His presence, and I love that He is there for you, me, and all who grieve.
Thanking Him for being our comfort and care as we each navigate this new normal.
Thank you, Valerie.
I tend not to re read as well. I don’t want to miss anyone, and as you can tell from my titles, I’m behind. I don’t allow myself the new titles until I see progress with either reading or writing. For me, I want to get to Toni’s latest series, so I need to keep at it!
Thank you, Paula.
I am blessed. There really are a lot of good times that we can cling to.
Blessings to you for 2021.
Megan,
Thank you so much. We were ready to be absolutely inconsolable for the services, and it was odd, but we were not. We had complete and total peace. It’s so obvious God is directing our path and holding us close. For that, I am so thankful.
Blessings to you this new year.
I don’t mean this to sound trite or repetitive, but I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. I can’t imagine what grief a person goes through when they lose a parent, especially since you were so close to her. May the Lord give you & your family peace and wrap His arms around you. All I can say, and a bit of advice someone gave me when I lost my grandma, is allow yourself to grieve in this time. I know the pain never goes away, and for me, the good memories overcame the loss & I can remember with fondness all the good times I had with her. I still get sad at times, but it doesn’t overwhelm me.
My mom lives in New Zealand (moved in 2001), and we’ve always had a close relationship. So in a way, I did “lose” her because I couldn’t just decide to travel a couple of hours and spend the weekend with her. I think I went through a time of grief myself for a while. I miss her more everyday, I think. Sure, I can talk to her over the phone or do a video chat, but it’s not the same as spending time with her. I mean, at least I can do those things & I’m grateful for that. It’s just hard, you know?
God bless you. Thanks for allowing us to share in your grief & get a glimpse of your heart.
So sorry to hear about your mom. It’s especially difficult after fighting so hard. My hubby was in the hospital with health problems at the end of last year and then was quarantined to our bedroom so I had to sleep in my grandson’s “sleepover” room. Inspy romance got me through those long nights. Hugs and prayers!
I am so very sorry for the loss of your mama Julie, praying for you , your sister and your whole family. I lost my dad in 2005 and our mom in 2019, and losing both parents sure leaves a big empty place in our hearts. They were both sick and their sickness too them. It was such a bittersweet loss, I have 5 siblings and we all took turns caring for our mom and some of us were there for our dad. It was so very hard losing our parents , but it was also so very hard seeing them suffering so much. My siblings and I are all so very close which is a Big help. Take Care and stay safe my friend. God Bless you .
Julie, how sad to hear of all your trials last year, and then your Mum’s passing! My heart goes out to you. I know you know the God of all comfort, and He will uphold you.
I also loved that Staci Stalling book and have reread it several times!
I’m so sorry for your loss Julie. Praying for comfort <3
My heart aches for you and your family. Losing our parents, grandparents, grandchildren and siblings is such a crushing feeling, and thinking they are recovering and then knowing they are gone must be super devastating. Praying for you and your comfort through tomorrow and the lonely days to come. Hug each other as much and as often as you can. May God comfort you during the days to come.
So sorry for your loss.
Deb,
Thank you. I am so glad we have clean, inspirational reads to turn to when life is overwhelming. I really welcomed the comfort and distraction the inspy reads brought, and continue to bring.
Alicia,
I relate to much of what you say. My dad passed in 2004, and with my in-laws, there are six siblings. Watching them decline in health was hard. I’m glad the families remain close. It is a blessing to have such a close family.
May God continue to meet all your needs in Christ throughout 2021.
Margaret,
Yes, God truly is a comfort, and I do rest in Him. I couldn’t do it without Him.
That was a great read. We are blessed with amazing authors here on IR!
Blessings to you.
Thank you, Natalya.
Sandra,
Thank you. Our experience definitely shows that we should not take anyone for granted, nor believe tomorrow is promised. You never know.
His blessings to you and yours.
Thank you, Denise.
I have just bought one with cat lessons. (I had a year one of animals but couldn’t get it this year) I tried to re-read one from before but it was too short. I had just finished one that goes with When Calls the Heart it is really good .
My dad had a stroke which changed him but the last few days he was like his old self (I was staying with relatives for a holiday I was 11) So Mum and him went to a nearby larger town to shop. He changed a tire then she thought he was pulling over but could see he had gone. God took her hand to turn of the car and she said the look of peace on his face is something she would always remember. It seems we often get a couple of days where things seem back to normal and I think its so we can remember those times. With dad he would have ended up in a nursing home so it was perfect timing. It was hard but much better than what it could have been.
The long trip to a distant country is the way my wife describes how she feels about her father who died long ago. He is somewhere where he can’t communicate with her. Just so with your mom. Loss, too, is like moving to a foreign country and grief is like learning the new language. It is so awkward and difficult at first. But, as time goes on and you put in the effort, you will learn to speak it. What we don’t always understand at first is that grief doesn’t end but it changes from a paralyzing blow to a soft ache. One day, we will move to a country where the native language is not grief but joy. What a day that will be!
No more goodbyes,
No more broken hearts for the lonely to hide.
Just “hello”‘s, “how are ya”‘s
And welcome back sighs
And forever no more goodbyes.
(Michael Kelly Blanchard, No More Goodbyes)