Hope in Tough Times #Encouragement #Timing #Devotionals

 

Looking for ways to encourage others? Use what you have and read on. Timing can be everything.

  
Along with many others, my friend Sandy is making and donating masks. Last count? More than 150. She is also making gowns. Her home has become a factory for caring.

Neighbors bring groceries to the elderly and check on them.
Others send out dozens of letters and cards, little reminders someone is thinking of them and cares. Ditto for emails, messages on social media.

I wanted to do something in addition to praying, plus offering smiles and conversation in an effort to cheer neighbors as I walk the cul-de-sacs near my home. Posting on this blog reaches people, but I wanted to expand the base.

I recently recalled a gift book my co-author Julie Reece-DeMarco and I proposed several years ago after doing several highly successful titles. The timing, which often spells the difference between success and failure, was wrong. We shelved the project and moved on.

A recent "a-ha" moment.

What better time than now to offer a very small book featuring true stories of those who overcame seemingly-impossible adversity? Winged Publications is considering submissions (their authors only, at least for now) for a new line of very short inspirational, affordable titles for their new 1-2-3 Books.

Excited, I dug out the proposal for DOORWAYS AND WINDOWSILLS: Finding Sunlight after Storms, sent it our editor, and received an immediate go-ahead. Julie and I had already completed more than enough stories to fit the new line. We edited, submitted, and the 40-page book is now on Kindle with print edition coming soon.

“Don’t stare at closed doors. Search for open windows.”

          

Jesus sent messengers to a certain Samaritan village to prepare for His coming. When He arrived, the people refused to receive Him. James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven and destroy the village. Jesus refused to waste time attempting to batter down the doors of prejudice closed against Him and His ministry. He simply gathered his disciples and “went to another village,” where windows of opportunity awaited Him (Luke 9:56, paraphrased.)

The most brilliant sunshine often follows the darkest storms. Award-winning authors Colleen L. Reece and Julie Reece-DeMarco present Biblical, historical, and contemporary persons who searched for and found sunlight after devastating storms.

available at