Last fall God sent me back to full-time work.
Leading up to Christmas, as if life wasn't busy enough. With my first novel
releasing in November.
Really?
The previous two years I'd worked for the local
Salvation Army, packing Christmas gifts for underprivileged children. Now, I
couldn't commit to Saturdays. Suddenly the schedule switched to weekdays. In a
location conveniently close to my home. My one-day previous commitment? Not a
problem.
I love working with the project supervisor. The work
itself is fulfilling. But could I keep up with our church worship team, my
blog, and promote my novel?
God whispered to my spirit, "I've got
this." As in, "I [God] will work it out. I'll give you the time, the
energy. Everything you need."
But a day job meant I wouldn't be home when the UPS
guy brought my books to the door. God knew this was one of my dreams, and He'd
given me so much with publication. How could he hold this part back?
Well, *ahem*, He's God and owes me nothing.
He helped me sort out my attitude. And He proved
Himself faithful to "I've got this". He gave ideas for meals, helped
me recognize what to do and what to let go, and sustained my writing and
promoting.
Best gift of all?
Registration spiked but toy donations only trickled
in. Overwhelmed, I said "God can supply what we need, but I don't see how
He's going to do it."
I
don't see was the kicker. In my discouragement—as if my lack
of sight disproved God's power—I heard again "I've got this." He
reminded me that Jesus fed 5,000 men and their families with a few loaves and
fishes.
Was I going to believe the circumstances, or trust
God with what He'd proven Himself able and willing to do?
This Christmas support ministry is something
God-sized, one of those things only He can bring together through willing
hands. At that moment I was able to lay down my need to see and trust the One
who said "I've got this."
Funny, instead of focusing on the lack, I started
noticing the provisions and small mercies. And on distribution day, over 3,000
local children were blessed.
Oh—and the UPS guy
delivered my books on a Thursday night, when I was, in fact, home.
About Janet Sketchley
Janet Sketchley is a Canadian author who writes about God's tenacity and
how faith applies to real life. In the non-fiction realm, that includes weekly
devotionals and Christian living posts on her blog as well as the story
"The Road Trip that Wasn't" in A
Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider. Her debut novel, Heaven's Prey, is about God's tenacity too, reaching to save one
soul and to protect another.
Heaven's Prey
A grieving woman is
abducted by a serial killer—and it may be the answer to her prayers.
Despite her husband’s
objections, 40-something Ruth Warner finds healing through prayer for Harry
Silver, the serial killer who brutally raped and murdered her niece. When a
kidnapping-gone-wrong pegs her as his next victim, Harry claims that by
destroying the one person who’d pray for him, he proves God can’t—or won’t—look
after His own. Can Ruth’s faith sustain her to the end—whatever the cost?
Links to connect with Janet Sketchley
Website: http://janetsketchley.ca/
Sample Chapter: http://ow.ly/smyDU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanetSketchley
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanetSketchley
Amazon.com: http://ow.ly/smyl7
Amazon.ca: http://ow.ly/smyp6
Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/smyrx
The Book Depository (free shipping, worldwide): http://ow.ly/smyu4
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