Friday, March 20, 2015

Sharon A. Lavy: The One Thing God Sees In You

Everyone's Story welcomes author Sharon A. Lavy. I see Sharon everywhere--and I'm glad I do. Whether at ACFW conferences, on Twitter, or you name it, I've been blessed to get to know Sharon a bit through the years and am pleased she accepted my invitation to guest on my blog. Please welcome Sharon this week as she shares a unique perspective on dress designing and our loving God. Also, check out her lovely BookGiveaway. Both Sharon and I look forward to hearing from you.





BookGiveaway:
Sharon is offering 1 copy of her newest release, FAREWELL FOR A WHILE, either print copy (US residents only) or e-version. The winner will be announced here on Friday, March 27th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment



God Uses Flawed People by Sharon A. Lavy

This photo represents two of my enjoyable pastimes. Sewing and dress design. The dress on the form is one I designed for my youngest daughter-in-love. She showed me a dress she liked. Except for this, and that, and whatever, of course. This dress evolved from her request.

Everyone loves the dress form because I have to pin the dresses in the back to look smooth on the form. My friends say if I would just put one of their dresses on the form, they could feel skinny too.

The dress I am wearing in the photo represents spiritual growth on my part. You see, years ago I wouldn't be caught wearing a flawed garment. Not if it was noticeable. I was just too insecure. 

I love black and white. I also love red. Pink not so much but this fabric really called to me. So I bought it and put it with my stash.

And one day, I was getting ready to make a dress, went to my fabric drawers and pulled out this piece. I laid it out on the table and ack...it was full of flaws like smeared ink from when the fabric went through the printing process. 

I checked to see if I could cut around the flaws, but the flaw repeated every 18 inches or so. Even though I would be able to cut out unflawed cape, collar, and sleeves, almost every other piece of the dress would have a flaw. Sure, the flaws on the bodice would be covered by my cape, but there is no hiding the flaws along the bottom part of the skirt.

I can hardly believe I actually liked the fabric enough to cut it out. But the strangest thing is how I looked on the fabric and then the dress. 

I realized the fabric represents God taking a flawed character (me) and doing a beautiful work. And I feel really good inside whenever I wear it.

I first thought I would only wear this dress when I was not leaving the house. But if I need to go to town, off I go. The flaws on the bottom of the skirt are not so noticeable to me. Only if I look, yes there they are.

To me this dress represents a flawed piece of fabric made into something both beautiful and useful.

Now it if was soiled, or paint splattered, or etc. I would not wear it. But somehow I saw something worthwhile in this fabric, just as God saw something worthwhile in me.


Questions For Sharon:
What is the genre you write in?  Would you explain what it is?

I call it women’s fiction because I care about relationships between women, and families. Romance is a part of life and I include it in my storiess but it is not intended to be the sole focus of the book.

Other’s call my writing German Baptist fiction which would be a sub-genre to Amish fiction.

I write to share what God has given me. Even if it helps only one person.

What is the spiritual message in Farewell For A While?  What can readers expect to get from reading it?

We need to search for God’s will and not our own. We have to give up some of our pre-conceived ideas to serve Him. And most importantly of all…God wants to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us.

What are you working on now?

I am working on book three of the Sometimes we’re asked to forgiving the unforgivable series. The title is Forgiving the Unforgivable. As with all my novels I find myself learning lessons right along with my characters.

Sharon's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Everyone’s Story: Meet Sharon A. Lavy @OldOrderTweeter, a dress designer following God’s patterns. (Tweet This)

If you like #AmishFiction try @OldOrderTweeter Sharon A. Lavy’s #GermanBaptistFiction #BookGiveaway (Tweet This) 

A spiritual lesson from a dress pattern? Sharon A. Lavy @OldOrderTweeter shares. (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:
Sharon A. Lavy was born into an Old German Baptist family. This Anabaptist group are often mistaken for Amish.
While Sharon was growing up her father went to medical school at George Washington University. He interned and took his residency at a hospital in Sacramento, California.
She inherited her love of books from her father and when she wasn't exploring the hospital where he worked, Sharon spent many hours pouring over his medical books.
When she married, Sharon moved with her husband to a farm in Southwest Ohio where they reared five children.
While she loves to read many genre, her own writing tends to feature medical drama among the Old German Baptist community.

Places to connect with Sharon:




51 comments:

  1. No one would ever notice, Sharon. You are beautiful inside and out and it's a joy to know you. Great article, BTW.

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    1. So glad for your visit, Linda. Warmth emanates from your comment :)

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    2. Thank you so much, Linda for your sweet comments.

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  2. I love your dress story, Sharon. Just as I've loved getting to know you over the past few years. Wishing you much success on your writing journey.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Pat. I agree--Sharon's story sparkles!

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    2. Thank you Pat, I enjoy you also.

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  3. Beautiful story and beautiful dress, Sharon! I'm so glad God
    chose each of us despite our flaws and is willing to make us
    into something more beautiful for Him! :)

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    1. Kathy, so well said that all I can now say is: yes!

      I enjoy when you visit.

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    2. Thank you Kathleen. I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a nice comment.

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  4. Sharon I enjoyed getting to know you through this interview. I once did a study on the spiritual lessons from patterns, so the photo of you and dress design intrigued me immediately and I was not disappointed :) If I'm lucky enough to win your book, you can contact me at dsadmail@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Delores. So glad you can visit. Wow--that must have been a very interesting lesson. Who would have thought?

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    2. Thank you Delores. I appreciate your comments. Best wishes and I hope you win.

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  5. Thank you for sharing your dress story. Imperfectly perfect came to my mind.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. "Imperfectly perfect." Love it, Mary!

      I'm thankful for your visit.

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    2. Thank you for the new phrase Mary, Imperfectly perfect. I really like that one.

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  6. Thanks for sharing your story - we all have flaws but we like to hide them from others.

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    1. Thanks for visiting today. Concealing seems to be the common nature of us human beings--probably began as a means of survival. But, I'm glad and thankful we can share here.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks for stopping by Anonymous. Everyone has a story. I would love to know yours.

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  7. Ah, Sharon, even tho I count you as one of my dearest friends, I loved reading your dress story and interview!! Don't put me in the running for her book; I already have it! :) Tweeting and sharing!

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    1. I'm happy for your visit, Caroline. Glad you enjoyed Sharon's story. Have yourself a great day.

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    2. Ah...Carole, my forever friend. What would I do without you to lean on?

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  8. I have been lucky enough to have been chosen to be a beta reader for 2 of your Sharon's books. I was drawn into them both very quickly. I didn't want to put them down. The ones I received and read were "Dreaming of a Father's Love" and "Deadly Secret". I give you my blessings as you continue to the work our "Father" has laid out for you. May God Bless you in your endeavors. You can reach me at abrubaker74@yahoo.com

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    1. Welcome to Everyone's Story, Amy. I love when fans of my guest visit--that says a lot!

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks for stopping by Amy. Google keeps eating my replies. Giggle. I wish everyone could win. Best wishes in the drawing.

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  9. I have long been intrigued by Sharon Lavy, and I'm glad I got to know her better through this blog article.

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    1. Nike, thanks for visiting today. I'm happy you enjoyed Sharon's uplifting words.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks for the kind comments, Nike.

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  10. I remember Sharon from Blue Ridge Conference. She always seemed to be in the lobby with a writing group, working away on her latest WIP. Obviously, her hard work paid off - congrats to Sharon!

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    1. Nice to see you again, Cynthia. What an admirable portrait you've painted of Sharon, a good role model for inspiring writers!

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    2. The Blue Ridge Christian Writer's Conference is always special to me. I always feel like I am walking on Holy Ground.

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  11. I used to sew--a lot--and I always thought everything had to be perfect--even the seams. So Sharon's story resonates in several ways! I don't need to be placed in the hat for the book drawing. I already have Farewell for Awhile. I wholeheartedly recommended it!

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    1. Sylvia, thanks for visiting. I'm glad you were able to relate to Sharon's story. Sounds as if Sharon has quite a devoted fan following!

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments, Sylvia.

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  12. Sharon, when I saw you were being featured, I HAD to visit. You feature everyone else, all the time. :-) I so enjoyed learning more and reading your story of the dress. A lovely, Godly view on looking beyond the flaws. Thanks Elaine, for the article & interview. Great!

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    1. Cathy, you so helped to make my day with your enthusiasm. I'm happy you visited, happy you enjoyed Sharon's feature.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks Cathy for stopping by and leaving your comments.

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  13. I loved this feature--a wonderful message. I, too, have had the pleasure of getting to meet Sharon at ACFW conference. Interesting that your father did his residency in my home town of Sacramento, Sharon. Which hospital? I volunteered as a teen at Mercy General Hospital, then went on to spend my long nursing career at Methodist Hospital, which is now part of Dignity Health (formerly Mercy/Catholic Healthcare West). Such a small world.

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    1. Small world indeed, Candace. I've always thought that there were certain people that we were meant to meet--and one way or another, God makes sure we do! Glad I've met you.

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    2. I feel the same way,Elaine. :-)

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    3. Thanks for the warm smile, Candace.

      BTW, Sharon is replying back so do drop by later or on Monday. Meanwhile, enjoy your weekend.

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    4. Trying once again to leave a reply. I appreciate you Candace. My dad served his internship and residency at the County Hospital. The Doctor's lounge was on the top floor of the hospital and the evenings we were there and dragnet came on I think the drs and nurses could hear it several floors down because they came swarming upstairs. The TV was our babysitter when Mom was visiting Dad on the nights he was on call. And since we didn't have one at home we were pretty much glued to it. Ha!

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    5. What a great story, Sharon :)

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  14. Hello Elaine. Thanks for hosting Sharon. I know her from Barn Door Book Loft.
    One of my favorite blogs. Sharon loved your story about the dress. I sewed for many years for myself and my 3 girls. I too wanted everything was perfect, but learned not everyone noticed the places like I did. And, it is true that GOD excepts us with our flaws. Good thing for us that HE does. Would love to win your book. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. Maxie, I always smile when I see a comment from you--love when you visit. I'm glad you enjoyed Sharon's story. Praise God for His mighty love for us.

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    2. Hi, Maxie. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.

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  15. What a nice story! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Wendy, I'm glad you visited today. You are in the drawing!

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thank you for visiting Wendy!

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  16. So true, Sharon. Loved your story and analogy. Rose

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed Sharon's story, Rose.

      Hope to see you again!

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  17. This has been an amazing week on Everyone's Story and I have Sharon A. Lavy to thank. Sharon--I truly appreciate all of your time, effort, and sincerity in participating with so many viewers who have visited this week. You have quite some admiring fans and friends and I wish you the very best in all that you do. May God bless you richly.

    And thanks too for the BookGiveaway of FAREWELL FOR A WHILE. And the winner of Sharon's novel is…

    Delores L. Congratulations, Delores!!! Both Sharon and I will be in direct contact with you shortly.

    Blessings to all.

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