Have you ever had something you needed to do, but you had no idea how you were going to do it? That’s been me for a while now.
Recently I was watching a Hallmark movie where the hero was a baseball player. The book that I am currently writing has a former baseball player as the main character. Of course that movie got me to thinking about my own story and how I have no idea what will happen next.
I’m a seat of the pants writer–at least I have been for past couple of books I’ve written. This means I don’t work from an outline, and I write the story as it comes to me. Okay, so back to stressing my story. I didn’t enjoy the movie as much as I normally would because I couldn’t get out of my head that I didn’t know where my story was going to go next. Then I stressed because I had this blog post to write, and I didn’t know what to write here either. My evening went on like this for nearly two hours. By the end of the movie I was completely stressed out.
After the movie I stepped into the kitchen in defeat. Then all of a sudden it came into my head that I didn’t need to know what to write yet. A peace washed over me as I was reminded that the Lord has always given me the words when I need them, and I needed to stop worrying.
Matthew 6:25-34 tells us we don’t need to worry and that it doesn’t do any good.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? I pray that we will all remember that He is always there for us and wants to help us.
Now since this blog is about inspy romance, I had to tag this onto the end of my post. I hope you don’t mind ending on a lighter note.
I have found time to read several books lately. :) Reading is my favorite thing to do, as I suspect it’s yours as well. What’s the last inspirational romance book you’ve read that you would recommend? I have recently read two books by new authors to this blog. Calming the Storm by Melanie D. Snitker and Snow Belle by Jackie Castle. It’s my goal to read at least one book from each of the inspy authors here. I’m getting close. :)
I hope you all have a lovely day, free from worry, and resting in the Peace that passes all understanding.
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance, romantic mystery, and romantic suspense that warms the heart and feeds the soul. Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
It’s a wonderful feeling when that sense of peace takes over, isn’t it? I recently finished reading, THE MEMORY OF YOU, by Catherine West. I love her writing!
Hi Kimberly, thanks for the reminder to rest in the peace that transcends all understanding. I do not believe a person can honestly say they have never been in that situation- knowing you have to do something, but not knowing how to do it!
I have just finished re-reading Hallee Bridgeman’s Jewel Series- great stories about three sisters and the faith and love journey’s.
Blessings:)
Oooh, haven’t read this- looks good, thanks for sharing:)
Great encouraging post, Kimberly! It really does give me peace to know that God is always there for me. I have the 2 books that you just read, but haven’t go to them yet. The last inspirational romance book I’ve read was also historical – Cowboy Homecoming by Louise Gouge. I also just finished reading Women Who Move Mountains by Sue Detweiler, which is inspirational spiritual romance.
I just finished Pursued by Lisa Harris and I’m almost finished with The Dog Who Was There by Ron Marasco. A very different story told from a dogs perspective of the passion of Christ.
I like your goal to read at least one book from each of the inspy authors here. I’ve got to read a lot of good books just from following this blog.
I’ve recently read Jolene Navarro’s Forever Christmas Kiss and recommend.. (even though it’s not Christmas). I’ve also recently read and recommend (in no specific order) An Informal Date (Heather Gray), Muffins and Moonbeams (Elizabeth Maddrey), Learning from Experience (Ginger Solomon), A Hero for Heather (Marion Ueckerman), Second impressions (Pepper Basham), Big Sky Montana (Angela Ruth Strong), By Grace Draw Near (JoAnn Durgin)…
Hi all, I will reply to comments as soon as I’m off work. Busy morning and I’m behind schedule.
Kimberly,
Great post! I totally understand what you were feeling. Not knowing (or feeling like I know) where my life is going is an area in my life God is working on. You know the whole…..lay down the control and trust… not worry thing! I’m starting to learn it’s so much easier and freeing if I just trust right away! DUH! I learning!
As to a book I’ve just read….there have been soooo many…..but the last one would be Because of You by TK Chapin I really liked it. What’s fun is that most of his books are based in and around the Pacific North West. LOVE IT! I also had the privilege to pre-read Carol Moncado’s new book, Reclaiming Hearts. It’s so sweet! Great book!
Thanks for your post! Talk to you later!
Yes, for sure, Jill. I’ll have to check out that book.
I’m reading a book by Hallee right now. It’s the first I e read of hers. I don’t know the title but it’s great!
I look up those books, Becky. I don’t read much historical, I’m not sure why since I enjoy them. :)
Hi, Gail. The dog book sounds unique. I wonder how the author came up with that idea.
What a great list, Priscilla! I’ve read a few of them and will check out the rest. Thanks.
Thanks for the great reminder! I too got to read Carol Moncado’s Reclaiming Hearts.
Just finished Heather Gray’s Ten Million Reasons. Love Heather’s voice.
I”m a pantser, too, so I can sympathize. I find myself really dependent on God every morning, asking for His words, His direction to the story. That doesn’t mean every word is perfect. Or chapter, even, says the gal who had a major epiphany that sent 20,000 words to the trash bin this morning. Ouch!!!
Kimberly, I think I watched that same Hallmark movie. I love them, and I’m a pantser, too. When people start talking about plots and charts, etc., my mind fogs over. I love the discovery!
Marylin, yes things do go so much better when we turn them over to Him. I need that to be my first response, not my last.
I’ll have to look TK Chapin up.
That’s how I am with math, Merrillee–total brain fog. I love Hallmark movies and need to rewatch that one.
I can so relate to depending on God for the words! Yes, I’ve tossed entire scenes when I get off track. I figure I was listening well enough. :) Sorry you had to toss 20k words. That’s painful!
I’m horrible with titles and names in general. I have a couple of Carol’s books and have read at least one, but I don’t recall which one.
Thanks for the mention, Kimberly. =) I’m currently reading Melissa Storm’s First Church series. I’ve read almost all of Valerie Comer’s farm books and a few others from this group. Still working my way through the great list of books that can be found here.
I used to be a SOTP writer, but then got tired of all the rabbit trails my stories could take. So I started to try to lay a bit of ground work. Even still, despite my best laid plans, I often go off on crazy tangents when my characters get a notion to do their own thing. Which is often.
I love that we have a Heavenly partner working with us and has promised in his word that he will give us the words we need when we need them. He also seems to love putting our faith to tasks and having us walk out putting our trust in him.
He’s never disappointed. You know? Never.
I agree, Jackie, He loves putting our faith to tasks and having us walk out putting our trust in Him.
I’m a combo of a SOTP and a plotter. I have usually have general idea of the plot, but no details and that’s where the faith in action comes into play. :)
Good post! I am an avid reader of Christian fiction. Great authors making up this blog, and I am trying to read as many of their books as I can! I am glad I found this blog.
We are too, Jackie! Welcome.
I just finished The Painter’s Daughter by Julie Klassen and loved it. Probably about 1/3 of the way through Undercover Bride by Margaret Brownley and enjoying it. I’m also an avid reader and have 100’s of books on my ereader that still need to be read.
I thought I was listening, too! So apparently the detour had a purpose, even if it wasn’t for the story.
Great post! One of the last books I’ve read is by Inspy Romance author, Blown Together by Janet Ferguson. Loved reading that book!
I’m glad you like the post, Alexa. Thanks! I’ll look up Janet’s book. :)
I haven’t been doing a whole lot of reading of any kind lately, so the last three inspy romance books I read were Finding Father Christmas, Engaging Father Christmas, and Kissing Father Christmas which I read back at the first of the year. I’m going on vacation soon and hope to get some reading done while I’m on the plane and at the beach.
I hope you have a great vacation, Jessica and find lots of time to relax and read.:)
Thank you for reminding us not to worry! I find my mom always saying she won’t worry about something which of course translated means that she will worry about it! Happy Spring!