In my new book Finding Love for the Workaholic, releasing August 7, the Matchmaking Moms of Oceanview Church have their hands full.
Rose’s daughter Isabelle’s whole life centers around her work. Wikipedia describes a workaholic as “a person who works compulsively. The person works at the cost of their sleep, meeting friends or family. While the term generally implies that the person enjoys their work, it can also alternately imply that they simply feel compelled to do it.”
Although I didn’t look up that definition until after I’d written the book, it describes Isabelle to a tee! She’s spent the last decade at a Public Relations firm and she’s really good at it. But despite all her successes, the money she’s brought in, the ecstatic clients … she’s never risen to that “top-dog” spot that she craves. When Jose is brought into the company as her boss, it’s too hard to take. It’s difficult not to take that decision personally. It’s time for her to move on.
Another personality trait that goes hand-in-hand with “workaholic” is “Type A personality.” What does Wikipedia have to say about that one? “Personalities that are more competitive, highly organized, ambitious, impatient, highly aware of time management and/or aggressive are labeled Type A.”
Yep! That’s Isabelle for ya! Being a textbook Type A Workaholic might also explain why she’s the next match project for the Matchmaking Moms. Isabelle doesn’t take time away from her job to nurture romantic relationships. Romance doesn’t show the immediate results that she seeks. Over the years, she’s documented a set of characteristics that she’s looking for in her perfect man.
Educated. Successful. Supportive of her ambition. Driven.
In Isabelle’s story, she works with a client who she realizes is the epitome of those long-standing characteristics she’s defined as the perfect man. But, he’s so pompous and arrogant, she can’t stand to be in the same room with him. Furthermore, he irritates his own children to no end, and they don’t want to be alone with him either. During some research in the Bible, she makes an eye-opening discovery that will aid her matchmaking effort immensely:
That night, after dinner, Isabelle was in her room, reading more from her Bible. She read some new material, but she couldn’t concentrate. Distracted, she turned back to the fruits of the spirit that had so caught her attention the night before. Love, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
She lay back on her bed and raised her eyes to the ceiling. Those were all characteristics that described a good, solid person. Seeing as how she was a single woman, why wouldn’t she adopt these characteristics in the man she someday hoped to marry, instead of the qualifications she’d come up with almost twenty years ago for her future mate, the ones that never worked to identify anyone?
Educated. Successful in work. Supportive of her ambition. Driven.
She sat up in bed, her mind working. If she held up the characteristics from the Bible next to her own characteristics for a mate, which one would result in a better husband? Someone to spend her life with, who would stretch her to be a better person herself?
A stunning realization hit her. If she were to follow her own requirements like a roadmap to her future husband, it would lead to … Randall Blake. A man like Randall fit all those qualifications to a tee. And yet, here she was with him in a tropical paradise, and she didn’t even enjoy being in the same room with him.
If she used the fruits of the spirit as her roadmap to her future husband, it would lead to … someone like … Zach Peterson!
Yes! Zach was loving and peaceful and kind and good. He was all those things. And during the times she’d spent with him, she’d laughed and talked openly and enjoyed his company.
And … told him she just wanted to be friends. She was way off base.
She closed her eyes and for the next hour, she thought and examined and prayed about this topic. Maybe she’d hit upon a game-changer here. She was convinced that God had placed a new message on her heart. Her future didn’t lie with a man like Randall. It lay with a man like Zach.
Isn’t it wonderful how sometimes God sends us a message through the words we read in the Bible? Tell me if that has ever happened to you. Have you ever had a situation where God sent you the answer you needed by a verse you read in the Bible? I’d love to gift a free copy of Finding Love for the Workaholic to one random commenter. You choose paperback or Kindle ebook. No restrictions on geography — we’ll figure it out somehow if you’re international! I’ll pick a winner on August 5th.
**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.
Hi Laurie! Enjoyed reading The Matchmaking Moms of Oceanview Church. Early retirement and a Bible Study challenge leads to a contemporary matchmaking romance series. Three church ladies with single children and a mission. Will they succeed or fail? Well crafted and edited story. Love the unique names, the twist and turn plot, and this book did have a resolution – BUT peaked my interest in the series. This retiree would love to receive a copy of Finding Love for the Workaholic. Only read the first book. During the business of life – the sandwich years a verse that gave me the strength for each day was: Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10. Best wishes.
God bless you. The word of God is definitely where I believe we hear a constant flow of Him speaking on a daily basis. I was 8 weeks pregnant and started having complications with the pregnancy, at the moment I was not aware of what was happening and I opened up my Bible and found myself reading the first chapter of the book of Job, specifically where Job says and the Lord gave and He took away let His name be glorified. At that moment I knew I would not be carrying that baby to full term. Even though I was hurting physically and spiritually as that was the second pregnancy I had lost I had peace.
Oh, wow, another book to add to my TBR stack!!! My go to verses serve me in any and all situations, Ecc 3:1-8. No matter what season of life I’m in, I know that season is just that, a season, and it to shall pass! And, that God is always with me, no matter what. I never had kids, and had a hysterectomy at 34. I remember the anesthesiologist that started my IV telling me if I was any calmer, they wouldn’t even need to give me anesthesia. Joking, of course, but I honestly wasn’t worried, though I knew the risks for a healthy person like me having complications and even dying were there. I also knew it was God’s hands, so it didn’t bother me.
Love this series! I need to read all the stories.
Oh yes, be careful what we wish for because we just might get it :D
I can relate, in an underfunded job with more work than hours to accomplish it, do you do unpaid overtime and finish it or walk away with it undone and young kids paying the price – funny the world kept turning and when it was time for me to leave, they hired two people to replace me – it was a tough lesson to learn especially when I kept ignoring the messages!
Oh, this looks wonderful!! I am always find my answers in the Bible!
The verse in the Bible that spoke to me is in Romans 13:1-7 “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves….he is God’s servant…” this touched me because in my home state the governor was not opening some businesses similar to others that were, people were angry and he was slow to open during this pandemic. I understood how they felt and why they were protesting. Then I read this and realized, whether I agree or not with government officials, I have to respect them because they are God’s servants… we need to pray for ALL of our government officials and let God deal with them accordingly. We can’t change their hearts, but God can.
Renate, thank you for your kind words about the series! And yes that verse is a go-to in so many situations. Especially the craziness our world is going through right now!!
Oh Angela. Thank you so much for sharing this story. It is easy to give thanks to God in the good times. Infinitely harder to rely on His word and promises in the hard times. God bless you in your faithfulness.
Trudy, you’re the epitome of putting yourself in God’s hands. Next time I have surgery I need to remind myself to contact you for counseling!
Thank you so much for your support Melissa!
When I had my hysterectomy, it was the FIRST surgery I’d ever had! Now, I’ve had 5 more, all on my wrist. I’ve had “minor” procedures I wasn’t put to sleep for, but those 6 I was! I have a little Jerusalem rock that says: Relax. . .God is in control. I told my orthopedic surgeon before one of my wrist surgeries. He agreed! It was nice having a Christian doctor! We always talked books for a bit at my appointments!
Dianne, that’s a tough situation. I worked a demanding job throughout the childhoods of my two sons. I was always under an umbrella of guilt. When the kids were sick or needed me at home, I felt guilty to miss work. But if I sent them to daycare or school with a sniffle or cold, I felt guilty about not being home. It seems to come with the territory of being a working mom.
All in all, we got through it. I’m so glad you got relief from your overly demanding job and I hope whatever you’re doing now is refreshing!
Thank you Paula Marie!
Oh my gosh Gail!! I love your post for two reasons. First, it continues to amaze me that the Bible, written so long ago, speaks to us about today’s current events, if only we’re diligent enough to understand and apply the meaning.
Second, with the state of contentiousness and divisiveness in the US at this moment of time, I wish more people would draw the same conclusions as you! God bless you! It would surely be a less stressful era for all of us!
Oh my gosh Gail!! I love your post for two reasons. First, it continues to amaze me that the Bible, written so long ago, speaks to us about today’s current events, if only we’re diligent enough to understand and apply the meaning.
Second, with the state of contentiousness and divisiveness in the US at this moment of time, I wish more people would draw the same conclusions as you! God bless you! It would surely be a less stressful era for all of us!
Hallelujah!
Not sure why this posted twice … sorry!
I love how God works! A lot of times, for me, I’ll read something in His Word and have it backed up either through a book I’m reading or a devotional. Its amazing how something you’ve read several times in the Bible can hit you in a fresh way at just the right time.
I’m sure there have been times when God gave me the perfect answer through His word. I just can’t name a specific verse or time right now though! But what I love to do, is do a deep study on a verse that stands out to me at that time & really delve into it. God ALWAYS shows me something new & exciting through it. I love finding an even deeper meaning to what seems like ordinary scripture. It’s like God shines a bright light on that particular passage and makes it alive in my heart! It’s always just what I need to hear at that time in my life or in a situation. I even sometimes get an answer through my dreams :-) God can speak through anything & I find that amazing!
Don’t enter me to win your book, Laurie, as I just won “Finding Love for the Loner” on your last post. I will be reading this series via Kindle Unlimited :-) I really can’t wait to meet Isabelle & her journey to that happily-ever-after! Sometimes love has been right in front of us the whole time :-)
Yes, He has given me a verse at a most fitting time. Thank you for sharing. Your book sounds like a great read. Blessings
That’s so true Megan. I also learn so much by studying the Word with knowledgeable help … either in a Bible study led by a clergy or with a accompanying book that provides insight and history.
Trixi, your comment reminds me that God will always meet us halfway. That if we desire to hear from Him, and earnestly seek His voice, He will make it clear to us. Thanks for inspiring me today!
Thanks for your support of the series, Trixi!
Thank you Lucy! Thanks for your comment!
These days, I am being touched by the breadth and depth of what it means the He will never leave me nor forsake me. Several passages from the latter part of Isaiah also speak to me ever since following along in Beth Moore’s Bible study, Breaking Free. The waters will not overwhelm us. The fires will not burn us. Don’t look anxiously about you God will surely help you. He gives beauty for ashes. He restores the ruins of many generations.
All the feels may point in a different direction but I so need to be reminded that my Heavenly Father is here and caring gently for me.
Oh Lincoln, thank you for pointing those verses out. We can all use that encouragement in our lives. God bless you.
I find those “God sightings” can happen when reading the Bible, driving, shopping, or any time you’re not expecting it. But, it’s right when you need it.
You’re so right Denise!!