Three of the most famous words in the Bible were at the crucifixion when Jesus said: “It is finished.” The first three words in the Bible were “In the Beginning.” In everything there is a beginning and an end. People have often asked where my ideas come from and sometimes I say “the Lord:” I have come to realize that Jeremiah 29:11 applies in my life:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
I know now that writing and speaking were His plans for me. Without all my health problems, there would have been nothing for me to write or speak about. It was my commission to tell others about out Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and God’s presence in my life.
These stories have been in the newspapers and magazines now for more than 16 years, and people have been encouraging me to write a book. In the early stages of my writing, I doubted my ability. I couldn’t see into the future how God had plans for that part of my life also. God was in control and this was done in his timing.
A little over a year ago, he led a professional editor to call me and encourage me to put my stories in a book. She volunteered to edit my book at no charge. I gathered more than 100 stories and sent them to her. After many conversations, we cut back to 25 stories. Both of us have health problems and were never able to meet face-to-face, but I thought a friendship was developing over the phone.Then all at once, the editor quit returning my calls and would not send the edited copies to me. In our last conversation, she had indicated that she would be finished as soon as she gathered everything together. But after that, she quit answering my calls. It became a very stressful and discouraging time for me. I’m trying to follow God’s word and not be angry, to just forget that I ever sent the stories there or, ever talked with her.
Well, I do thank her for encouraging me to get started; I’m just sorry she is no longer part of this as I had planned to dedicate the book to her. Right now, my favorite three words are, “It is finished.” Yes, I really have a book with 45 of my favorite stories at the publisher. My long-awaited book is entitled, “My Sanctuary.”
My daughter and her husband helped me with the computer work and the book will be available on LuLu.com. It can be ordered online and will print on demand.
I was totally amazed at how rapidly we were able to complete the necessary information. My daughter and I went to dinner and when we returned, the email read:
“Congratulations, you are now a published author.”
Wow, I danced for joy; well, in my mind, at least.
When I shared with friends that I would only make a few dollars per book, they asked if it was really worth the trouble.
I didn’t do this for the money; I did it to glorify my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“It is finished.”