Carole Brown: Eight Ways To Stick It Out

Everyone's Story welcomes back Carole Brown. The theme of this blog is encouraging others, especially sharing the love of God, and seeing how the power of uplifting others through hope and faith can do wonders. I think this week's guest, multi-published author and sweet lady, Carole Brown, does a pretty excellent job at cheering us all along. What do you think? Both Carole and I look forward to hearing from you. Also, check out Carole's BookGiveaway!

***I'll love for you to take a moment and take the short poll on the right-hand sidebar of how far you're willing to read before deciding the book isn't for you. Thanks so much.

BookGiveaway:

Carole is offering 1 copy of WITH MUSIC IN THEIR HEARTS, either print or e-version--winner's choice, although US only for print--to 1 winner. The winner will be announced here on Friday, March 6th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment. 

Blurb of WITH MUSIC IN THEIR HEARTS:

Angry at being rejected for military service, Minister Tyrell Walker accepts the call to serve as a civilian spy within his own country. Across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, a spy working for a foreign country is stealing secret plans for newly developed ammunition to be used in the war. According to his FBI cousin, this spy favors pink stationery giving strong indications that a woman is involved.

He’s instructed to obtain a room in the Rayner Boarding House run by the lovely, spunky red-haired Emma Jaine Rayner. Sparks of jealousy and love fly between them immediately even as they battle suspicions that one or the other is not on the up and up.

Will their love survive the danger and personal issues that arise to hinder the path of true love?

Stick It Out by Carole Brown

She wished she could go away. Papa had always told her she needed to broaden her horizons. But now, at the beginning of war?

No, she couldn’t leave the boarding house to Papa and her sisters to run. She would have to stick it out. –from With Music in Their Hearts

                                                            

Have you ever wanted to run away?

Stick your head in the sand?

Wished for yourself to be somewhere else?

Or cried out for “it would all to go away?”

Of course, most of us has! But life doesn’t usually happen that way. Most of us have to live through it, get by, or stick it out. And that’s not easy.

Let me give you three possible scenarios:

When you’re young and in love and perhaps married before finishing school or ready to take on family life, and you suddenly are faced with multiple bills that pile up and you can’t meet the deal lines of payment, what do you do?

--Buckle down, reduce your expenses if you can and cut, cut, cut. Hubby and I married. He had a good job and I was teaching, but we had a house payment, utilities and other normal expenses. Was it easy? Nope. We cut the thermostat back to what I now consider “COLD” at nights. We existed on hamburger and prayed in the rest. Lol now, but not then. We know God cares about even our simple little needs.

And what if your husband, or you, lose that wonderful job--your security to all the things you’re used to for a good life? How embarrassing and how scary!

--Yes, but how real! In today’s world, with businesses downsizing and closing, with the economy as it is, and some careers overloaded with younger applicants, it’s a horrible position to find oneself. When it was no longer an option for hubby to work with his uncle, he decided to branch out on his own. Scary? Yes! Lean years? Yes! But we’ve gotten through it, and our faith is stronger because of it.

And one more example . . .

Horror of horrors, what if you’re suddenly placed in the position of a single parent? My advice:

--Seek help. There are plenty of government programs that can help tide you over if you need assistance.

--Begin immediately to look for work if you’ve been a stay-at-home person. If you don’t need the money, join some groups in your neighborhood for the fellowship. Participate or volunteer. Keep your mind busy and your hands active.

--And don’t forget to give yourself room to mourn, to recover, and to relax. Your body and soul needs it.

--Pray often and remember that God is LOVE. He cares about your hurting heart.

How can we get through the hard places?

--Realize, God won’t allow more than you can bear. Easy to say/read; harder to accept. But it’s true nonetheless.

--Accept that there’s always a reason. Granted we may not know, may never know, but God does.

--Take the Job-mindset. “Though he slay me, still I’ll trust in him.” No matter what happens, determine you will serve God.

--Pray and lean on God. He’s your source of help and strength. Only God can see us through the rough patches.

Just as Emma Jaine, in my WWII novel: With Music in Their Hearts, had to come to terms with her situation and make the decision to STICK IT OUT, so sometimes in life, we have to do the same. Emma Jaine found her solution when she turned her heart and wishes over to God. He provided her answers for her problems and life.

He’ll do the same for you.

Carole's previous appearance's on Everyone's Story:

Stirring Readers To Act With A Heart

Why Learning New Things Is Well Worth The Trip


Carole's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

Rough patches in life? Author Carole Brown @browncarole212 has advice. (Tweet This)

Everyone’s Story with Carole Brown @browncarole212 : 8 Ways To Stick It Out (Tweet This)

Like WWII fiction? Check out Carole Brown’s #BookGiveaway (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:

Brown not only has her award winning (Nominated for an Epic Award, RWA International Digital Awards finalist in Inspiration, Laurel Award finalist, Selah finalist; Genesis semi-finalist) debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, available for purchase now, but a companion book called West Virginia Scrapbook: From the Life of Caralynne Hayman, filled with tidbits of information about West Virginia, quotes, recipes from West Virginia and from Caralynne’s life, pictures and discussion questions for the novel.

November, 2013, the first book in her mystery series, Hog Insane, released, followed in November 1, 2014 by the first book in a new WWII romantic suspense series: With Music In Their Hearts

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Places to connect with Carole:

Personal Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Goodreads