Mix the
Word with Faith and Trust God <> Part 3 - How did I begin writing books?
My
writing journey has been a faith walk.
Many people have asked me how I began
writing books. I’ve always enjoyed writing but never expected to write anything
someone else would want to read.
In November 2011, while writing a story about Jesus' birth, to share with my grandchildren, God spoke to me, in my
spirit, and said, “I want you to publish this.”
I sat straight up and said, “God, I have no
idea about how to do such a thing.”
I explained to Him that I knew nothing about
writing and publishing a book—that I didn’t have an illustrator—that I didn’t
have money for this—and on and on.
Have you ever tried to explain something to
God? ---How silly!
I also tried to tell myself that the idea was
all my imagination.
While writing that story I decided I
wanted my grands to also know the other things that happened to Jesus as an infant.
Those stories are hardly ever read or told and I wanted my grandchildren to know
them.
And beyond that, I wanted my grands to
know there are more amazing stories in the Bible than what they learn in Sunday
School. I want them to fall in love with Jesus and value God’s Word!
I finished writing that book and called it Joy Comes to Bethlehem.
My second book would tell about what happened to Jesus
when He was eight days old. What was that? He was
circumcised.
I was anxious about the idea of writing a children’s
story about Jesus’ circumcision but was confident God would help me work it
out—and ya know what? He did! The book is titled, His Name Is Jesus. Don’t
worry, I didn't even mention the word, circumcision.
The third book would be about one of my
favorite Bible stories.
Side note: I didn’t learn these stories in Sunday School.
I learned them when I started reading my Bible on my own!
This third book was about the amazing occurrence when
Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated at forty days of age.
Simeon and Anna recognized Him as Messiah, just as God told them they would,
many years earlier. This book is titled, He Is The ONE.
I wanted my grandchildren to know these things about
Jesus.
Oh, and when our grands and I read that first story together,
one of them (from each of the two families) said, “Granny, you should publish
this.” I don’t think I would call that confirmation but it sure made me feel
good.
SO—back to my conversation with God. I did finally
tell God that after the holidays, if I still felt like I had heard from Him I
would get onto the task and He was going to need to lead me step by step.
January 2012 rolled around and I knew beyond
any doubt this was something the Lord was telling me to do. I also knew that if
I didn’t do it, I would be disobedient. That was something I didn’t want to be
a part of.
All along the way, much prayer went into the idea of
publishing and I with confidence in God's assignment, I proceeded.
I knew I needed an artist, so I prayed.
I knew I needed a publisher, so I prayed.
I knew I needed some money, so I prayed.
I knew I needed Guy’s approval, so I prayed.
(Guy is my husband.)
My first idea for an artist was Molly Keller. I’d known
Molly since she was a toddler. I knew she was a Christian, that she had a
college degree in art, and I had seen her work I had seen. But I had doubts
about whether she would be willing to do illustrations for a book for me. Would
she want to go to all that trouble for a book written by a no-name-writer?
I called her up; told her about my story and she said,
“Yes.”
I nearly cried and offered praises to the Lord. As it turned out, Molly had
recently quit her baby-sitting job in hopes of pursuing her art career and she
had no jobs lined up yet. Perfect timing! God knew all along.
I took her a copy of the manuscript; she read it and her
children read it. She called me and said, “You’re a good writer.” Those were
such encouraging words. It was the second time someone had ever said that to
me—music to my self-doubting ears.
Meanwhile I continued to pray about the publishing
aspect. Before talking to Guy I needed some idea of what cost would be
involved.
While checking email one day, an advertisement banner
appeared in my inbox. It said, “Get your Christian children’s book published
here.”
I hesitated for a moment but then clicked and was taken
to the website of one of the largest publishers of Christian material in the world. I
was comfortable that it was legit and after speaking with their representative
on the phone and reading their material I decided to go with them.
I had already decided I wanted to self-publish so the
books would be in print before my grands were too old to enjoy them. (Trying to
get published can take years or simply never happen.)
So—I had the manuscript, the artist and the publisher.
Now I needed to get Guy’s approval and figure out the money part—both of which
I knew would not be easy. But I was confident that if I had not missed God, and
He had really called me to do this, He would make a way. I continued to do what? --Pray.
I asked God to provide the opportunity and tell me when
and what to say to my dear husband.
The time came and I said it. Without a lot of detail,
I’ll just say Guy’s answer was a resounding “NO--absolutely not!” and he got up and left the
room.
I sat on the couch with tears welling up, yet not surprised by his response. I know my Guy. And I know my God. So, I was confident it wasn’t the
end of the story.
Instead of whining, begging, badgering or manipulating, I talked again
to my Heavenly Father and tossed the situation into His capable hands. After forty
plus years of marriage to Guy, I knew those other responses would come to no
positive end. I was confident God would change Guy’s mind. I’d seen it before.
Two days later Guy brought the subject up saying I could use the
money we had in a certain account and go ahead with it. He added. “When the
book is done, you’re going to have to get some books to sell in order to get your
money back. Have you thought about that?”
I said, “Yes.”
He continued, “I don’t know where you’re going to get the
money for that.”
I didn’t have the answer either but I just knew God
wanted me to do this and He had all the answers.
The process I embarked on was scary and nerve racking. But I was
confident in my God. I had enough of God’s Word in me to know Him and I had a
history with Him. I was mixing His Word with my faith and trusting Him
to help me see this through.
Over the next few weeks and months Molly painted
wonderful watercolor illustrations for my book and I arduously worked out the
details with the publisher.
Molly said I didn’t need to pay her until I started
selling the books which was a huge blessing to me. Also, her painting was
taking much longer than she expected, which was a little frustrating to me but
I understood and didn’t put pressure on her. I reminded myself it was
all in God’s timing.
The next part of this story is the most amazing part of
all ... and sad. As I told you, I knew I would be needing to buy a number
of books once they were ready for printing. And I genuinely didn’t to know how
I would pay for it. But, ya know, God knows all things. God knew all along
where that money would come from.
On March 17, 2012 my precious friend, Jo Ann died—unexpectedly.
None of us saw this coming and all her friends and family were flabbergasted.
Jo had no children of her own and was like a second
mother to me. I was one of the beneficiaries in her will. The very week that I
needed to pay for the books was the very week I received the first installment
of my inheritance. It was just over the amount I needed, including money to pay Molly. That was a great blessing to her.
I was blown
away. My husband was blown away. I’m still blown away.
That was the seed money that God provided. Over and over
again God never ceases to amaze me.
I later published two books which tell a
couple of the many rhinokaroarus stories I have told my grandchildren through
the years. These are unique animal stories, each with a moral.
My father, Rudy Edwards, made up that crazy word, rhinokaroarus. Therefore those books are dedicated to him.
And my most recent book is a daily devotional titled, I
Declare God’s Word Is True.
A couple years ago, during my Bible study
time in the mornings, I started jotting down Bible truths and promises that
were meaningful to me. I felt lead to put some of them into
the form of a little devotional. For each day of the year (any year) there is a Bible
truth, a supporting statement and a Bible reference.
Each one is a brief
power-packed word of encouragement for the day.
So, in my experiences in writing books, articles, blog posts, letters, etc., I mix God's Word with my faith and trust God.
“For unto us was the
gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit
them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2 KJV).
In other words—They
heard the Word preached but it did not benefit them because they didn’t mix it
with faith. So, when we mix the Word with our faith we have the wherewithal to
trust God.
We have lots of reasons to trust God. But the
main reason is this—
"For
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John
3:16).
©Copyright
2018 Connie Wohlford
If you're interested in purchasing my books or would like book description information, please contact me via email: author@conniewohlford.com
Prices:
His Name is Jesus, He Is The ONE, You're A What?!, Make It A Happy Day - $10.50 each.
I Declare God's Word Is True - $6.50.
Minimal charge for shipping - Sales tax is added in Virginia.
Reduced prices on multiple copies. Inquire if interested.
Joy Comes to Bethlehem is sold out - I plan to do a second printing as funds allow.
If you're interested in purchasing my books or would like book description information, please contact me via email: author@conniewohlford.com
Prices:
His Name is Jesus, He Is The ONE, You're A What?!, Make It A Happy Day - $10.50 each.
I Declare God's Word Is True - $6.50.
Minimal charge for shipping - Sales tax is added in Virginia.
Reduced prices on multiple copies. Inquire if interested.
Joy Comes to Bethlehem is sold out - I plan to do a second printing as funds allow.
