God Nudges

My friend, Paula Mowery, has been blogging about Godly nudges. When God nudges you to do something, you should do whatever it is He wants. About years 3 ago, He started me nudging to write about not fitting in and it turned into my book “Deadly Doll.” I followed His nudges all through the process of writing it. There were even times I had to sit it aside for a while and not write.

“Deadly Doll” was released on August 15^th. And it has had some good reviews. I often hear, “I couldn’t put it down.” My step mother, Gretta Holbert, said “it rekindled my love for mysteries.” As a writer, I am so thrilled to hear this. But all of this was God’s doing and not mine. I just followed his nudges.

“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.’” Isaiah 48:17

What is it God is nudging you to do? Don’t second guess yourself and say “I can’t.” Just follow His lead and He’ll take you where He needs you to be.  Now, it may not be where you want to go, but it will you give a peace you can’t get anywhere else. 

By the way, Paula has an awesome blog if you want to read it as well: paulamowery.blogspot.com

Snoopy, My Man

Is it a child’s laughter or a beautiful sunrise? Or maybe it’s somebody you love. What am I talking about? In a word: Inspirations. What inspires you to do what you do? Ever thought about it? I was at a local ACFW meeting Tuesday night with some awesome ladies who are also fellow writers. When each person introduced herself, she told what inspired her to write. When it came my turn, I said, “Snoopy!”

Nobody there expected that answer. They all had a surprised look on their faces and I don’t blame them. When I was a very small girl, I loved my Peanuts books. Everywhere I went I took one with me in hopes somebody would read it to me. Hey, I wasn’t even in Kindergarten yet. Now, my favorite character was and still is Snoopy. I loved all the adventures he had and how he pecked out his stories on a typewriter. I wanted to do that, and that’s what I did. Instead of taking my Peanuts books with me, I carried around a pencil and paper so somebody could write down my stories I had made up. After I became a Christian and grew up, I realized writing for Him was my calling.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Regardless of how Jesus inspires us or whatever He inspires us do, we should do it without question and with enthusiasm. Yes, I know that is easier said than done, but we won’t be doing it alone. Jesus promises us that when we receive the Holy Spirit, we will be empowered by it to spread His word and to be witnesses. You don’t have to physically go around the world to do that. There are many people in your community who also need Jesus and His inspirations.

Flowers and a Grape Nehi

 

            On May 8^th, 1982, Tim and I had our first date and we’ve been together ever since.  I want to commensurate that occasion with a sweet story. 

            Tim came in from work one day with a surprise for me.  He asked me to close my eyes and hold out my hands.  What he placed in my hands meant the world to me.  It was a grape Nehi can full of beautiful little pink and purple flowers. At that point, I realized just how much I was on his mind and in his heart.

            Tim used to work next to a railroad track.  On this fateful day, he noticed the beautiful little flowers growing next to the track and thought of me.  He picked them, but he knew he needed to put them in something.  The only thing he had was an empty grape Nehi can.  So he cut the top off, cleaned it, and put water and the flowers in it.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25 (NIV)

            He could have shrugged and walked away. He could have picked up the phone and called a florist.  But he didn’t.  He loved me enough to take the time to pick the flowers especially for me.  You see, it’s not the big things that really matter, but the little thoughtful things.  The little things that say, “I love you and I’m always thinking of you.”  What “little thing” have you done for somebody you love?  It may mean the world to them.