Right on time, as usual.
Welcome to Testimony Tuesday. I’ll get back Fan the Flame (Part 2) next week, but today I must share an awesome testimony on how God answered a specific prayer. Today’s testimony is a story of living hope. I hoped to be published in 2020 and the past eighteen months of hardship really slowed down my writing, but…read on. Below is my Facebook post yesterday in which I revealed a tremendous blessing from God.
Sunday, June 28, 2020. Here’s my follow-up to my post from June 17 where I praised God for a very specific answer to prayer and would share more details later. Well, it’s later, and I’ve actually had the extra details since Wednesday, but I still wanted to hold this close to my chest. But today another God-incidence happened to stir the excitement over this answered prayer. I still can’t believe this!
I prayed very specifically about being involved in a publication and God very specifically told me not to jump YET. So, I believed the timing was not correct for this particular opportunity. He whispered to me, “you will be involved, but just wait.” And so, I waited.
A few days later I was PICKED to participate in this project, not by my action–truly by His. And I was blown away by how He guided me and directed me to have patience and in return received this blessing.
Now, I’ll still keep close to my chest the topic of my story, but I will tell you that the compilation will be a book on the theme of “Living Hope”. I have this living hope because of everything that I’m holding in my hands here and all it represents in my journey of healing. A journey healing physically, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually. I’m so blessed that I’m able to share a story of LIVING HOPE with readers.
And if that isn’t exciting enough, I have more. As I started to brainstorm scripture and application the other day, my dear friend, Shannon, shared one of the scriptures with me randomly. My heart skipped a beat!
But wait, there’s more! My pastor started a brand-new summer series today. Guess what the theme of the series is? Would you believe LIVING HOPE? Of course you would! Because that is how God works. Pastor Adam’s scripture reference today in 1 Peter is also on my brainstorming list. I wanted to do cartwheels on the church lawn, but I also didn’t want to hurt myself or embarrass my boys. Hah.
I talked to my pastor afterwards, because quite honestly, it’s freaky the way the Holy Spirit keeps showing up between what God is laying on our hearts in unison so often the past few years. Freaky good and so confirming all the time!
I hadn’t told him about the publishing news yet, and I uttered out loud for the first time, “I had a dream on my heart to publish in 2020, and since my manuscript on my book in process was paused while I navigated through some hard stuff, I didn’t think that dream would actually happen. And here, He gifts me with the chance to be published in 2020.”
Speaking my dreams out loud is hard for me, and yet here I am sharing with you, too. I’m going to be published in a beautiful, hard cover book alongside anointed authors like Liz Curtis Higgs, Debbie Alsdorf, and recording artist, Cheri Keaggy. Pinch me! How beautiful the way God orchestrates our steps when we cry out, communicate, and worship Him in our journey! A joyful journey, indeed.
If you could pray for me as the words flow through this (secret) hard topic, I would sure appreciate it. And stay tuned for more details on the book launch in late 2020. Twenty-Twenty! Wee!
Now…I should go because for the first time ever, I’m under a writing deadline. HAH!
But before I go, share a story below on how God answered a specific prayer for you recently. I’d love to read your story, too. God is good, am I right?
What I’m listening to: Living Hope (of course)!
So excited for you and can’t wait to hear/read your super secret topic!!
Ahhhh, pinch me! You’ll know sooner rather than later 😉
I know this probably sounds silly in the scheme of things. For years I have had a huge fear and anxiety of being on video. Over the last several months there were many opportunities i just flat out turned down because they involved Zoom meeting. My fear of turning my web cam on was keeping me from so many things. I prayed about it asking God to release me from my fear of allowing my web cam to be opened up and for my face to be on video. The first step was removing the picture that covered up the lens of my webcam on my laptop. That picture was on there since I got this new laptop. I removed it and sat there looking at that tiny all seeing eye of a lens. Then i took the next step and downloaded Zoom onto my laptop. I felt peace. I felt like I was now taking another huge step out of my comfort zone. I was allowing myself to no longer be “invisible”. God has placed on my heart to write a book about my life. Beginning with a very happy childhood “until….” to the unhappy child. The child who began to hate God all the way into adulthood. Choosing to gain weight on purpose and why. To an event that had me rethinking God all together. To salvation and beyond to changing my life, to God opening doors for my weight loss surgery (this is where I am now) and then to keep adding to my story as I lose the weight and regain my physical, emotional and spiritual health. So God giving me peace to down load Zoom, do my first Zoom meeting with a group of people from a private fb group (Not a Christian group BUT i know God has me there for a purpose!!!) And actually enjoying my hour long Zoom meeting. Thank you Jesus for removing that fear from my life!
You are rocking this joyful journey, Teresa. I’m glad you are more comfortable with Zoom – it sure does take some getting used to! Thank you for sharing your God story today. Blessings and JOY! Christine