February! I saw a meme that joked that January was the longest 547 days they’d ever seen. I can relate! We had one storm with a foot of snow. The Polar Vortex touched down in Ohio, and we saw temps as low as -14, with -27 wind chills. I’m ready for a change!
It’s not just the weather that is transitioning, but my projects are changing, too. I’ve been working with my teen daughter on a series for females of all ages that contains a romantic thread, but isn’t my main genre, romance. Although we have one more book to write, we’ll do that in the summer. Now I am finally able to give all my attention to my six book series on Surrendering Opinions.
The premise of the series revolves around sextuplets who stay in the spotlight because of tragedy. Their upbringing involved a community rallying around to help, and of course, anytime people are involved, everyone has an opinion. By the time these siblings are young adults, they have a lot of people watching and speaking into their lives.
Each sibling will have their own book, and of course, a romance full of conflict. Because they are Christian books, they are romances with a message. Each story will take the hero and heroine through their surrender journey where they have to let go of their opinion conflict and find freedom in Christ.
Book 1, Anchored, features the oldest sextuplet, Jordyn Bell Collins. She’s strong, take-charge, and thrown into the unexpected when she’s told she’s co-anchoring the new morning show at her local television station. This wasn’t in her carefully calculated career plan, nor is working with the equally driven and way-too-serious co-anchor, Spencer Hart. Jordyn’s plate is full enough managing her siblings and their chaos, watching out for her father and protecting them all from any further pain. Can Jordyn let go of her need to have a say in everything and let God work through those she loves? Ah, it’s fun figuring it out!
As I’ve plotted these books out I started wondering when it comes to opinions, would there be enough conflict to carry through six books? As you scroll through your Facebook feed I’m sure you’ve seen the negativity and division. And in the sextuplets, they bring a lot of baggage into their stories. As those plots unfold, I can share this much—the root of their surrender rests in the truth they are tied to what people think. To the point of it being a burden they have to let go of.
Caring what people think. Boy, can I relate, and it’s kicked at my own romance with my husband. I’ve often let fear hold me back because I worried how others would see me. Those fears have caused conflict, and I’ve had to surrender more than once. My husband has been great at keeping me accountable because he’s lovingly called me out wondering if I’m driven in that thing by faith or fear of what others would think. I remember almost saying yes to events when I was already overwhelmed because I didn’t want people to think I was lazy. I didn’t want to let anyone down. It was my husband who reminded me if I was driven by what others think, I wasn’t acting in His will and most likely I was robbing the real person God had in mind for that activity or event. I’ve learned a lot from those things.
My sense is that struggle isn’t just mine, so I’m prayerfully writing Anchored believing not only will readers find an entertaining romance, but also leave wanting to surrender their fears and find freedom in Christ.
How about you? Do opinions and fears of what others think drive you? My prayer is that you go to God with it and exchange that burden for freedom in Christ. I’m rooting for you!
Mary Preston says
I seem to be of an age now that I don’t worry too much about what others might think.
Wemble says
Hi Julie, wow, we heard about the Polar Vortex on our Australian news- it sounded pretty intense. I am glad it has passed! I love that you are working on a series with your daughter:)
I have times where I am concerned what others think, then others where I am not worried. When I start to worry about what others think, I try to remember a song we sing at church, it’s pretty simple but I think powerful- the main lyric is “I know who I am, I am Yours”. A good reminder to keep my eyes fixed on Him!
Blessings:)
Renate says
Hi Julie! As a Michigander, I agree January was a long month. SW Michigan also had snow and extreme cold. The first time in history that school was called for an entire week and mail service was suspended for two days. Temperatures reached -20. I am more concerned now. Almost all the rain is melted and it is raining. The creek overflowed 3 times last year and is overflowing again. Lake Michigan’s water level is high. When I was younger, as a pastor’s wife and teacher, opinions mattered more. But I learned at a young age to let go and let God be in control. I was fairly comfortable in my own skin and who I was. Blessings.
Julie Arduini says
Mary, that’s great! I’m getting there. I praise God I’m not as tied to opinions as I used to be.
Julie Arduini says
Wemble,
The weather here was definitely not fun. Now the problem is the temp rose so fast, it has been in the 60’s, that ice jams and flooding are an issue. Always something!
That’s a great lyric to remember. You’re right, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Him.
Lindi Peterson says
We got cold here in Ga., but nothing like the northern and midwest US. I spent a lot of my life worrying and acting from what others think. My relationship with Christ has impacted that behavior in a great way. I think of Him first. That’s all that matters. Sounds like a great series.
Julie Arduini says
Renate,
Yes, we’re going through the same weather concerns. I love that it is in the 60’s, but that has created issues. I hope you remain safe.
Being a pastor’s wife is so hard, I’ve watched so many worthy women struggle because of things said about them or their striving to fit an image. My prayer is these books encourage readers that they are beloved just as is, because God says so.
Julie Arduini says
Thanks, Lindi! I had a lot of those fears conquered through Christ, but in the last year I realized my worries about what others think of me was creeping back. Thankfully His word reminded me who I am, and I’m able to battle back with those promises.
That cold was a bit much. This week it is in the 60’s in Ohio, which is just as rare.
Georgia weather sounds pretty good right now!
Sherri G says
I like to think now that I’m older I don’t care as much about what other people think. The truth is that I still care too much about it.
We’re enjoying the temperatures in the 60’s but now we have too much rain on saturated ground.
Julie Arduini says
Sherri,
I’m the same way. I really thought I could mark this in the God healed me category, but last year one thing said to me was all I needed to completely question everything and worry. I’m still fighting back the thoughts and worries with God’s word. I have a feeling this series will be easy and hard to write all at once!
We have the same weather. It has been so wet here we couldn’t mow the back part of our yard after August. Our feet just sink into the ground.
Lisa says
Worrying about what others may think has been a real issue for me for the majority of my life! I am trying hard to let go of the concerns but as soon as I think I’m making progress, something else comes right up. I feel like I’m constantly apologizing to God.
Julie Arduini says
Lisa, I find as I’m about or am writing a book, the very issue I’m writing about to help readers is one God puts me through, even if I’ve experienced victory in it. I have been struggling lately with this as well, and it was a major burden in my life, approval was everything to me. We are doing a small group at church, working on Louis Giglio’s Goliath Must Fall. I highly recommend it. It is helping me get the right mindset and focus on His promises. You are deeply loved and highly favored by Your Heavenly Father. (((hugs)))
Paula Marie says
Luckily, I have never cared what other people think… I am me, love me or leave me, lol!
Julie Arduini says
Good for you, Paula Marie! I bet you sleep a lot better than I did, especially when it was such a burden on me.
Paula Marie says
Well, not so sure about that, lol, my mother was very unhappy with my attitude growing up….hehehe. She always felt I should be wearing the “best designer” clothes, etc, when I was quite happy in my sweats and jeans and t-shirts!
Julie Arduini says
Now that I was always confident about in my sweats. My reply remains, Jesus wore a robe so let’s not get too caught up in fashion. :)
Lisa says
Thank you so much! I will definitely be looking for that book! God bless you!
Julie Arduini says
It’s my pleasure! God bless you, too!
Jessica B. says
I am often guilty of spending way too much time worrying what others think and trying to present what I think they want to see. I love the reminder your husband gave you about not being in God’s will and robbing someone else by saying of an opportunity. That’s something I hadn’t thought about before.
Julie Arduini says
Hi, Jessica!
That wisdom my husband gave has stayed with me. I’ve often wanted to say yes to ministry things because it seems the right thing to do. But I’ve learned the hard way not every offer is what God wants me to be involved in and saying no is okay. When I consider that saying yes just because is robbing the real person of the blessing, it makes saying no easier. Have a great weekend!
Natalya Lakhno says
It never bothered me what others think – only how God sees me :)
Julie Arduini says
What a blessing! I wish I had not struggled as much as I did. Thanks for reading!