I’ve been pondering my word of the year since at least November. Several came to me. Nothing seemed quite right.
Then this week happened.
Last weekend, I was in Kansas City with Mikal Dawn for a writing weekend. She left several hours earlier than planned on Sunday due to incoming ice. I was finally starting to get into the story when I got a phone call from my 16yo daughter.
One of her band friends had taken his own life the night before.
She’d known for several hours by the time she called me, but she wanted me to know before I saw it on Facebook – because he’s one of “my” band kids, too. I’ve spent a large chunk of my fall the last two years feeding kids and helping move equipment and taking pictures and all kinds of other things for them. I knew this kid. Not well, but I knew the name, and definitely knew the face (I’m awful at putting the two together, though). My heart broke. Words ceased to flow. And prayers changed to ones for those who would feel this the most deeply.
I thought about heading straight home, but it would have taken 3+ hours and it was getting dark and cold and the roads were wet. I waited until morning and made it before my kids got home from school. I hugged them a little tighter than usual.
As you can imagine, it was a rough week in the band room. The head director, who loves each of these kids as his own and has talked about this with them at least 3xs this year alone, barely made it through the announcement – though everyone already knew. Two of the counselors and the superintendent were in the auditorium with them. Another director took anyone who wanted to across the hall to the band room to pray. About half went.
Thursday, I stumbled across a Facebook post by a high school friend (or rather by his wife) that he had passed. He was three years older than I am – and despite how my hip feels many days – I’m really not that old.
One verse kept reverberating through my head all week…
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
I Thessalonians 4:13 (NIV)
I don’t know enough about our band student to know whether he knew Christ or not, but I know my friend from high school did. We don’t grieve him without hope.
And this one:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
The New Living Translation says “for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
So my word for the year is hope. Not just blind hope, but hope placed in God. Because I can sit around and “hope” a book will write itself or the house will magically be clean (seriously – can’t that Mary Poppins snappy deal be a real thing?!), but that’s not real hope.
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.
Jeremiah 14:22 (NIV)
And all this week, as I edited my next release, I kept thinking… hope. This is why I write. To remind people that there’s hope. To show characters living that hope, even when it seems like there’s no reason to.
We don’t grieve, we don’t live, as those without hope.
So yeah. Not my normal InspyRomance post. There’s no excerpt, no blurb and cover at the bottom (though I will toss a preorder link in momentarily). Just a little bit of real life and why I write what I do – and why I live where I do. I am so incredibly grateful that I live in an area where one of our directors could take students (voluntarily) to pray after the loss of a friend.
I’m so grateful that we have hope.
I write, and read, inspy books because there’s that additional element that many general market books don’t have – that eternal hope in Christ. In some books, it’s spelled out. In others, it’s much more subtle. But it’s there.
I know others have talked about their WOTY already, but in case I missed it… do you have a word of the year? What is it? Why do you read Inspy books?
One lucky commenter will get a Kindle copy of The Inadvertent Princess, coming January 31.
When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband and four kids in the big yard of their southwest Missouri home, teaching American Government at a community college, reading, or watching NCIS. She's a member of ACFW and RWA, President and founding member for the MozArks ACFW group, and a category coordinator for ACFW's First Impressions.
While am not a writer Hope has been a big word for me for around 4 years now. When I was first diagnosed with the chronic pain I have Hope is what got me through. I even have a wooden plaque that says Hope. To me it is hope that one day I will find a cure. it also stands for Hold On Pain Ends. But It also was that hope like you mentioned the Hope that God provides.
I am sorry for your loss and your daughters loss. Suicide is such a sad ending and oh so common now often from bullying and also depression. We have been touched here with friends who have lost family to this.
Hi Carol, praise God for HOPE. That really is why I read inspirational romance- characters who have hope and have that to cling to in the tough times.
I think I take it for granted how blessed I am to work at a faith based school- prayer is such a natural part of the day!
Prayers and Blessings to you:)
What a sad ending for this young person’s life. I also praise God for the hope we have in Jesus. I didn’t choose a word of the year but hope is a great one to choose. I read Christian fiction because I must read and these are the books that show where true hope comes from. I used to read secular mysteries almost exclusively. But they were filled with so much darkness they became too depressing for me to read. So I donated most of my entire library to the local public library. Now I read mostly Christian fiction on my kindle app.
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your band “kid” and your friend from high school. The verses you quoted certainly do give us hope!
I don’t have a word for the year. I read Inspy books because I like the story in them and because I LOVE being inspired by a spiritual theme through them. I have heard (I actually think I read it on a post on this blog!) that it’s a good idea to pray before beginning to read a book, even a fiction book, because God can speak to you through it and I think that’s a really good idea.
I live in Kansas City, and wasn’t even aware there were authors here at a conference. I love your word “Hope”, and love all the Scriptures you shared. Besides the Scriptures about hope, when I hear this word, it makes me think of Emma when Knightley said: “The truest friend does not doubt… but hope.” Even in our books, there is hope! Do you ever wonder if God hopes – hopes we will understand, hopes we will draw closer to Him, hopes we will choose Him? Even though He already knows what we will do? Just a thought.
Hi Carol! My thoughts and prayers are with you, your daughter, and the community. So sad, but so prevalent today. One of my former students teaches in Colorado and last school year the district had 5 or 6 suicides. In our community last year, it was an elementary school principal, who was an outstanding community member. He taught my oldest son and our family and the community was shocked. Never expected it. So many families and youth have lost hope. I always am reminded of I Corinthians 13 – “faith, love, hope – the greatest being LOVE.” No need to put be in the giveaway – The Inadvertent Prince is preordered. Best wishes in your life and writing.
My heart goes out to you, your family, and your community, as well as to your high school friend’s family. Our hope as believers is so far beyond “wishing on a star” that it barely has anything in common. What a blessing and foundation to have HOPE in Jesus. (((hugs)))
Hi Carol,
I’m so sorry for all you’ve gone through lately. I’ll continue to pray for everyone.
I love your word for this year. It was mine for last year.
This year my word is “encouragement.” I want to be an encouragement to others. God’s showing me I need to take my eyes off myself and reach out to others more, with my words, actions and presence.
Take care dear friend!
Oh and I look forward to reading your book soon! (Also, just to give you something to look forward to for this week….Remember, Tam’s book comes out on FRIDAY!!)
I think HOPE is a perfect word for the year. I’m very sorry for the loss of this young man.
I heard a sermon on Hope recently. Without hope we have nothing. Hope is so important!
Thanks so much for sharing, Carol! I have been praying about the situation since I read your earlier post on Facebook about it. I’m so thankful for authors like you InspyRomance gals who write with hope! I already have your book pre-ordered, so no need to be in the drawing.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear all that. It is hard losing people we know – but you were right when you said we have HOPE when we know they are in Heaven. That is a great thing to hold onto. Thank you for sharing with us and reminding us to keep our HOPE! We appreciate you authors who write the HOPE into their stories for those who might pick them up and need that in their lives. :)
Thanks, Jenny. i haven’t heard what the rationale was, if there was any. He was a popular kid, involved in lots of things :(.
Praying for you to find those answers/cure someday too.
I grew up in a Christian school. Definitely different than public school (which we can’t afford for four kids and the truth is many (not all) simply don’t have the same academic standards no matter what they say – I did fine in college, but I had so many friends who were simply unprepared).
HOPE is what sets us apart isn’t it? Hard to cling to sometimes, but it makes such a difference when we do.
It makes such a difference, doesn’t it? I don’t read much general market and what I do read tends to be sweet/clean romance so on the lighter side anyway… But even there, something is missing… And often I think hope is the missing ingredient.
That’s an interesting thought! If it was here on IR, it was a post I missed, but I love that idea. I know I pray over every book as I write them (sometimes it’s more of a “dear God, HELP!” kind of thing but… ;))
Thank you for stopping by! Spiritual themes can be super hard to write, but so worth it!
It wasn’t a conference – just me and Mikal getting together to write for a couple days. I will be up there in March for the local ACFW chapter’s indie panel.
That’s an interesting thought… Part of me feels like God doesn’t need hope… because He’s God, but I’ve never really thought about it… I will now though ;).
My heart breaks whenever I hear of someone taking their own life. To not have that hope to get beyond this moment’s pain is very sad.
I read Inspy books because sometimes the words help me work through a situation – kind of like seeing it from another set of eyes. I particularly like when the book models forgiveness of a deep hurts. And I love a happy ending!
So please continue writing – you all make a difference with every book you publish.
Thank you.
Thank you, Renate! I appreciate it! It’s not been common much less prevalent in our district, thank God! It’s so hard to try to explain it to kids :/. Prayers for your community as well.
Thanks, Val. I appreciate you so much!
I can’t wait for Tam’s book!!! YAY!!!!
Encouragement is a great word! And you are one! Thank you so much!
Thank you Mary.
Thank you so much for the post. Indeed we serve the God of Hope. Thank you for the reminder.
We went to a church called Hope for many many years – it was named that for a reason. Because… hope.
Thank you so much! It is very appreciated!!
Hope is what makes such a difference, isn’t it?
Writing those kinds of books can be SO HARD. Don’t ask how i know :p.
It is so heartbreaking to realize someone thought that was the best answer. :( Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.
We do indeed. Thank you for stopping by.
Carol, i’m so sorry for your losses. and i’m so glad Father has wrapped you in His arms, and His love and hope. sending my love and hugz too
Thank you for what you do. Fiction is a wonderful way to share your hope. Your books have been a blessing to me as a way to relax even in the stressful times of life
My word is “prayerful”. At first I was thinking it should be “blessing” because my desire is to be a blessing to everyone. Then I realized that I tend to be a people pleaser and have a hard time saying no when people ask me to do something. And if I’m doing things in my own strength instead of the strength of the Lord, I am going to be as much a blessing to them, and I will not be a blessing to me. And I realized that I need to be more prayerful, asking the Lord what He wants me to do and focus on that.
Thank you for the reminder of the hope we have in Christ! That is always timely and appreciated.
So sorry to hear of this tragic loss of life of one so young.
Prayers for all who knew him.
Hope in Christ is the only way.
I think your word is perfect. As someone who suffers from depression frequently along with many medical problems, hope in God gets me through many a day. So sorry for your loss and I hope you share your word with children.
Thank you for your post. HOPE is the perfect word for 2018. Hope in the LORD brings us through all trials. I appreciate all you do with your writing. It makes such a difference in the stories when the characters depend on God. Keeping your family in my prayers.
Thank you, Robin.
Thank you! I’m glad they help you relax. That’s always my goal! (Or one of them anyway!)
That’s a great way to look at things. I know one friend whose word of the year was “no” because saying no to the wrong things meant she could say yes to the right ones – and she has a hard time saying no to anything so…
Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you, Debbie.
I dealt with PPD for many years. I understand. Praying for you.
Thank you so much! I appreciate that!
Late last night (okay, early this morning) I came across a post by a friend – a picture of Aaron Wilburn, his son (also a friend), and his grandson singing “I HEAR MY FATHER CALLING ME.” It’s been probably two decades since I heard him sing it so I looked up the lyrics and they fit so well with today’s post that I’m annoyed I didn’t think of it sooner.
It reminds me especially of my high school friend and what he might have seen/heard when he passed…
(Just a smattering of the lyrics – not actually quite like this…)
“(An old man)Just before he closed his eyes he said
I hear my father calling me…
So I gotta get on home where I’m supposed to be…
A swing of the bat and the game of life is played
But for every child of God there is hope beyond this world
The final inning isn’t in the grave…”
When Googling the lyrics, I came across YouTube audio of Aaron’s son Jim singing it…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idKPV4vl3RM
The final inning isn’t in the grave… that says it all doesn’t it?
That is such a great word – especially in light of eternity. I often wander what people do when it’s time to part and they don’t know God and the hopelessness of it all – so thankful for our hope. My word for 2018 is Simple. I thought it was kinda odd but I’m looking at it as a way to keep life from being more simple and not worrying and relying on God to keep my life uncomplicated. (And I love your books by the way – they have caused me many a short nights sleep bc I know when I start to read your books well – I don’t stop too easily.)
Hope has been my word for several years. It is “Be still” this year. Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”
I have chronic pain, and growing disabilities. I am a Pastor’s wife and mom of two young adult kids. I am used to being very busy and have spent the past few years trying to prove that I can still be as busy doing the things I do. But 2017 was rough and I was hospitalized 3 times, once in ICU for a week. I need to learn to BE STILL now.