Patty is offering one copy of her upcoming Love Inspired Historical HEARTS IN HIDING to one randomly chosen viewer who leaves a comment. The drawing for the lucky winner will be held next Friday on May 4th. Meanwhile, here's a blurb on the book:
A Patriot...or a Traitor?
Engineer Edie Michaels loves her life-she has a good job, close friends, even a chance at romance with former soldier Beau Daniels. But she could lose everything if her secret comes out...that she's the German daughter of a devoted Nazi. And when her father sends spies to force her loyalty, everything Edie values is at risk.
Time in a Nazi POW camp changed army medic Beau Daniels. When he discovers a letter of Edie's written in German, he can't help his suspicions. Is she truly the woman he's started to love? Or has she been the enemy all along? With Nazis on Edie's trail, the pair must fight for survival. . . and for a chance at love.
When God Works On Me by Patty Smith Hall
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
I’ve struggled with this blog post. Not because I couldn’t shoot out something about the writing craft or my love of history of something equally interesting, but I’ve felt God leading me to write about one of my personal faults and as anyone can tell you, it’s not fun admitting when God’s working on you.
You see, I’m a whirlwind kind of person. If I’m not running errands, or writing my next book, I’m cleaning house or volunteering. Anything to keep moving!
So it was a bitter pill to swallow when my neurosurgeon informed me that the spinal fusion I had put off for years had to be done. NOW!
While most folks put off this type of surgery fearing pain, I put it off because the recovery process. Who wants to have their activity level restricted for as long as a year? Certainly not me!
But I had no choice. The first two weeks didn’t seem so bad--I was feeling good, in fact better than I had felt in years. Still, I had to rely on everyone else to do the simplest task. Lifting a pot to cook noodles or grabbing a warm towel out of the dryer became a two man operation. Friends offered to cook dinner for us but I was determined to lick this thing. By the time my husband returned to work, I’d grown frustrated and my recovery wasn’t even a week old.
Determined to get some normalcy back in my life, I opened my devotional to Galatians 6:2. Bear one another’s burdens. I hurried through the reading, grumbling to myself. How could I help someone else when I was such a burden myself?
By allowing others the opportunity to bless you.
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| Courtesy Google Images |
I thought about how much I enjoy serving others, the warm feeling of knowing that someone who needed help has had their needs met. Was I robbing others of the blessing that came only from serving others?
The thought of Mary sitting at Jesus’s feet suddenly came to me. Jesus didn’t turn her away when she knelt in front of Him, a flask of perfumed oil in her hands. He allowed her to show her love for Him by bathing His feet and wipe the excess oil from His skin with her hair. Even after the disciples told Him how the oil could help the poor, Jesus didn’t deny Mary that moment, maybe because He knew she would cling to that simple act of service for her Savior long after He returned to His heavenly home.
And if I want to be like Christ, I have to put my pride aside and stop stealing other people’s blessings.
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| Courtesy Google Images |
It’s not an easy battle to win, and I’m not quite where I want to be yet but I’m working on it. I found God’s confirmation I’m heading in the right direction in the most unlikely place this week--on one of my apps on my facebook page. It said God wanted me to know that even God took a rest--maybe I should take the time to simply breathe and recover.
Don’t you just love it when God confirms His word for you!
Author Bio:
Patty Smith Hall has been making up stories to keep herself occupied since her parents forced her on boring Sunday drives into the Georgia countryside when she was too young to stay home by herself. Now she's happy to share her wild imagination and love of history with others, including her husband of 29 years, Danny, two smart and gorgeous daughters, and a yorkie that she spoils like a grandbaby until someone decides to actually give her one. She resides in North Georgia.
You can reach Patty at:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/patty.s.hall
Love your post and that's one of my favorite images too--Mary sitting at Jesus's feet. Another favorite is Jesus washing His disciples' feet. Thank you for sharing your recovery story with us--it's hard to imagine a year when even a week seems like a long time! Your book sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit, Sandra. What I especially appreciate from Mary at Jesus's feet and Jesus at His disciples' feet is that by teaching others the little ways we can help others and others can help us is that--whether on big or small terms--we can become disciples of His love and spread His word. Maybe just chatting on a blog about God's eternal power is one of infinite ways? I wonder.
DeleteHi Sandra--right now, I'm keeping both of those images in my heart, to remind me how much joy is found in serving others. Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, convicting post. It is so easy to do and refuse to accept (pride? Misguided sense of busyness?) help. Thanks for visiting Elaine's blog & sharing with us, Patty. The cover of your book is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you again, Caroline. I agree, Patty's book cover is very pleasing to the eyes.
DeleteAcckk...how convicting. I also enjoy helping others, but feel like I'm imposing if I ask others for help. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and maybe one day I, too, will overcome this need to say, "me do it," like a two-year old. :)
Ginger
http://gingersolomon.blogspot.com
ginger dot solomon at gmail dot com
Ginger, welcome to Everyone's Story. I'm super psyched that you've become a Follower! Thanks so much ♡
DeletePattie, God constantly confirms His Word in our lives. I love that historical novels now can be the early part of the 20th century, don't you?
ReplyDeleteA fond hello, Caroline--always! Every day it seems as if God's Word comes alive. Surely, no coincidence.
DeleteCaroline, thank you so much! The folks in the art department at Love Inspired do an outstanding job with the cover art. And this one is particularly special--the hero is a carbon copy of my husband in his early 20's!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm making headway in asking for help--today, I dropped a dress on the floor at Target and had to ask a salesperson to help me. It was easier than I thought it would be!
Thanks for coming by
Happy to hear, Patty, that you're up and about!
DeleteGinger, I think it's hard for women to accept help of any kind. That's why God gives us opportunities like surgery to 'work' on that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by!
Caroline C, I absolutely ADORE that publishers are looking toward the beginning of the 20th century for books now. There are so many great stories about the women of WWII that have never been touched on in Christian Fiction. And I particularly love women in aviation history--some of those stories are just dying to be written.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by!
It's been another inspiring week here at Everyone's Story. Without fail, God's timing with who is the weekly guest is always right on perfect: I am uplifted and learn so much. And from the feedback I receive, so are my guests. So, heartfelt thanks, Patty, for being my guest. May you continue to heal and to recover, and enjoy the best of health and happiness.
ReplyDeleteThe winner of Patty's novel HEART IN HIDING is: Ginger. Congratulations!! You'll be receiving a direct email from both of us shortly.
Blessings,
Elaine
Galatians 6:2 I grew up with that verse. As an Assembly of God Missionette (think Girl scout), it was one of the first I memorized and I used it in my first book. I've met many over the years you have helped bear my burden. It's never an easy thing to shift some of the load from my shoulders to there's, but I am always grateful.
ReplyDeleteSharon--so glad for your visit. You're are so right: friends are a true blessing.
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