It has been an honor that three out of four of my books have been nominated for the Henri Award in Christian Literature the last three years. Self-publishing the books has been a grand adventure with God orchestrating the meeting of my publisher from Texas back in 2019 at a talk she was giving in New York State. I remember that March 2020 day when she told me, “I feel the Lord wants me to work with you.”
When I went to Texas in 2023 to attend my first Christian Literary Awards, where God’s Love Illuminated won the Henri Award in the Non-Fiction Christian Living Category, my publisher sat next to me—only the second time we met in person. It was a beautiful evening from start to finish. I wrote about my experience that night here.
A few weeks ago we met for the fourth time as she and her husband accompanied me to this year’s gala event. A special encounter was when my publisher’s husband asked to pray with me. He prayed in thanksgiving for my ministry and continued blessings upon it. Words flowed from my mouth in prayer too. At the end, my publisher said something that has stuck with me ever since. She said, “You think you were here for the awards, but you never know how God will use you.”
Celebrating God’s Glory Manifested on the red carpet with my publisher
As I was preparing this reflection, it occurred to me that indeed that same sentiment rang so true with our first encounter at the church when she came to speak. She thought she was there to share a message, and neither of us knew that a little over a year later she would be self-publishing my first book, followed by three subsequent ones.
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. –Matthew 4:18-22 (NLT)
Think about Simon, Andrew, James, and John waking up that day and doing what they’ve always done—fishing for their living. They thought that day, like every other day, they were earning wages to provide for their family. Jesus had other plans for them, starting with that very day. He was calling them to fish for men—to share the Good News of Jesus with others so they could repent and have eternal life. Do we drop everything to heed Jesus’ call in our lives?
My publisher’s statement made me stop and see a few cases of ‘you never know’ from the trip and afterwards which I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
*I shared a book with a pastor while waiting for my hotel shuttle after arriving at the airport in Texas. On the second leg of my journey, we sat next to each other on an airport shuttle where I overhead him talking with another man. Since our paths crossed again, I asked if he would appreciate a book. He happened to mention someone at his church had written down some stories, which he has encouraged her to put into book form. Maybe God’s plan is for my book to provide that inspiration for her.
*As I was waiting for the hotel shuttle to take me to the airport, there was a couple with a young girl, maybe about five years old, who were blocking the door as they were verbally fighting. The clerk asked them to go outside, where there was shouting for at least twenty more minutes, most intensely by the man. It broke my heart to see this little girl sitting there, listening to and seeing this. I began praying for them all and continued for a few days. I trust that my prayers helped the situation, especially the little girl who was then led off by the hand with the man—maybe that is why it happened right then.
*This past weekend my plans to meet with a friend didn’t work out. Instead I was able to attend a service where I felt inclined to share a book with a new-to-the-church family, as well as with another man I’ve never talked to. I think God must have wanted me to be at that service in order to share the Good News with them through the books.
Be encouraged this week to…
… be flexible in your plans knowing God is in charge.
… marvel at how God’s plans play out in your life.
… see the importance of the ordinary events where God is at work.
… allow God to use you for His glory.
REFLECTION:
When did you see God’s plan that was different from yours?
Who did God put in your path that ministered to you?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Can you please help end this reflection by sharing one of your 'you never know' moments that God orchestrated in your life? Please use the comment section below to encourage us. Thank you!
