Years ago, my husband and I were on vacation when we had to
stop for gas. Once he finished, he got in the car and had a weird smile. I
asked him what was going on and he shook his head.
“I was thinking what if I asked God to give me a clue about
my future and He responded by showing me pumping gas? That short flash could
reveal a new career working at a gas station or a transaction as a customer
simply pumping gas.
That conversation has stuck with me.
I’m someone that wants to know the answers. The why behind
everything. And how long? When I miscarried, I lost an entire year of my life
spinning my emotional and spiritual tires obsessed on the how and the why.
There have been times during this stay-at-home season that I’ve started to
whine in prayer with the question, “How long?”
The truth that’s hard for me to remember is God doesn’t owe
me anything. In fact, as a Christ follower, if all God did was send His Son as
our only way to spend eternity with Him, that’s enough. Yet there is so much
God has done for me that I am thankful for. Not having answers all the time is
something I’ve had to surrender more than once.
Through the years I’ve learned God is a good, good Father
who longs to give us good gifts. His arms are wide open. Even in hard times I
trust that He has the best in mind for me.
And He wants the same for you, too!
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
Amazing things
happen when a group of high school students and women discover they are more
than competent.
Bethany’s not excited to
start high school in a new community where she doesn’t know anyone. She quickly
befriends KJ, a popular sophomore, and it looks like the transition will go
well until Bethany discovers KJ’s boyfriend is a bully. With a strong sense of
justice, Bethany challenges Brent Sullivan, and he’s determined to make her
suffer.
Cheri takes on an
additional job in a school to help pay for Sabrina’s wedding. It’s a different
atmosphere than at the church where she feels more comfortable as the pastor’s
wife and mentor with the Linked ministry. After several mishaps, Cheri feels
like she’s found an assignment where she can make a difference until a teacher
belittles her work.
Can Bethany and Cheri
resist the lies about their competency and hold on to the fact they’re
brilliant?
The final book in the
Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series for tweens, teens, and women of all ages
by mother and daughter authors Julie Arduini and Hannah Arduini.
Pre-Order You’re
Brilliant: https://smile.amazon.com/Youre-Brilliant-Surrendering-Stinkin-Thinkin-ebook/dp/B0874Y5B4C/
Releases May 22.
Print version coming soon.
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in
Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate.
She’s the author of the contemporary romance series SURRENDERING TIME,
(Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged,) as well as the stand-alone novellas, MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE
VALLEY. Her other latest release, YOU’RE BRILLIANT,is for girls ages 10-100, written with her teenaged daughter, Hannah,
and is book 3 in their SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ series. She blogs every
other Wednesday for Christians Read, as well as monthly with Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by
visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to opt in to her content full of resources
and giveaway opportunities.
3 comments:
Thanks for letting me share, Laura!
Great devotion, Julie. An encouraging reminder.
Amen, Julie. Yes, Daddy God is a good, good Father.
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