UPDATE: This giveaway is now over. Congratulations to Linda Critcher!
Today’s post was written by my author friend Kim Vogel Sawyer. Kim is the author of many heartwarming novels, some Amish fiction and some non-Amish. She will be doing guest blogs a few times this year, and I’m really looking forward to each one!
hope (verb) — to expect with confidence
Most people know my author tagline is “Gentle stories of hope.” I didn’t come up with that myself–a friend of mine who read each of my unpublished manuscripts (bless her heart!) made the comment, “All of your stories are so gently told, and they all include a strong element of hope.” My heart sang at her comment, because injecting elements of hope was, and continues to be, my goal.
But why hope? Many years ago when facing a series of very painful personal trials, I clung to Psalm 62:5, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” It seemed as though everything around me was crumbling–failing health which required me to rely on a cane for balance and support, tackling parenthood of teenage daughters single-handedly while my military husband served overseas, worrying over financial issues and household issues and work-related issues… But no matter what life threw into my pathway, I could look heavenward and KNOW God was there.
In the years since, as other trials (because we don’t make it through life without encountering hardships, do we?) have stepped into my pathway, I’ve continued to reach both hands toward God and cling to the hope that can only come from Him. I confidently expect Him to grant the strength, comfort, and peace I need to emerge from life’s storms a little wiser, a little more seasoned, more usable.
Without hope, we’re–and I’m not being flippant–hopeless. Hopelessness leads to despair, discouragement, despondence. There are so many people walking around in the world today burdened by a feeling of hopelessness because of financial, health, or personal burdens. But as a Christian I celebrate the fact that this world is temporary. When my time here is done, I will be with Him forever. And until that day, I KNOW He will always be the Enough to meet my needs.
When the world says, “There’s no hope,” God says, “Trust in Me.” Those of us with faith are never without hope.
Hope…a beautiful word. Got hope? I do.
May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim
Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of thirty novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women’s fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and nine grandchildren.Book Giveaway
If you would like to enter for a chance to win an early-release copy of What Once Was Lost or Sweet Sanctuary simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post on my website. The book will be sent directly from the publisher once available. It should arrive to the winner two to three weeks before it hits store shelves on September 17!
If you are viewing this blog anywhere other than my website, such as on Facebook, in an email, or on Goodreads, please hop on over to my website by clicking on the following link https://www.cindywoodsmall.com/2013/06/26/and-kim-vogel-sawyer/ and leaving a comment at the bottom of my post to enter the giveaway.
Only comments left on my website will be entered into the giveaway.
The deadline for this contest is Tuesday, July 2, at noon. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be contacted privately, as well as announced on next week’s post. The winner of last week’s blog giveaway was Shirley Culpepper. Congrats, Shirley!
As always, please remember that all of my giveaways are limited to US residents only.