Gratitude

“My charm blessed by Pope John Paul”

I want to thank all of you for your prayers yesterday. I felt wrapped in love and light when it was time for the phone call with the acquisitions editor. I was well prepared beforehand. I had carefully researched the publisher. I had reviewed the two books they sent ahead of time. I spent some time in quiet meditation beforehand. And then I asked God to give me any last words before I “headed into the interview”. I believe the Bible is a living word and I often ask God to speak to me through it. I opened my Bible app and picked a “totally random” verse. This is what I got.

“I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:8-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

My jaw dropped. It was perfect.

Th conversation went well. The editor told me what they were looking for. She asked me questions. She asked if I had questions. I asked a few then told her the only thing that bothered me was the caveat “without religion”. She has read my work and knows I am faith based. She explained they did not want to represent a single denomination. They understand that grief is decidedly spiritual and she would expect my writing to reflect my faith.

Boom.

It was that easy. Maybe I put too much emphasis on that one sentence and got myself all worked up for nothing. But, maybe…just maybe that was a test. Maybe God wanted to test the sincerity of my love.

I’ve done my part. I’ve answered the questions. They know my work. They have interviewed other writers and will make their decision next week. I’ll let you know when I know. Thank you again for all your prayers and kind words. Y’all are the best! ❤️