Have you ever felt incapable or unsuited to do certain things? In my novel, A Cousin’s Promise, Wayne lost his leg in an accident. He became depressed and had trouble coping with this loss, so he broke his engagement with Loraine. Wayne believed that because of his disability, he was less than a man and could no longer provide for a wife and family.

In the Bible there are many accounts of people who seemed incapable or unsuited for their calling, but God used them anyway, in spite of their disability or lack of confidence. All of us are here for a reason, and if we trust God, seek His will for our lives, and do the best that we can, He will provide the help we need. Often times that help will come from others, or with God’s guidance we may learn how to meet some of our own challenges, as Wayne did in my novel.

Do you know someone who is struggling with a disability or lack of confidence to do certain things? What are some ways we can offer help and encouragement to others or ourselves?

My husband and I recently attended Half-Stitch the Musical, in Sarasota, Florida. This delightful musical play is based off my novel, The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club. There were six people who attended Emma Yoder’s quilting classes in the story. One of them was Ruby Lee Williams, the wife of a minister. Due to some problems they were having in the church where Ruby Lee’s husband pastored, Ruby Lee wanted him to leave the ministry. Is leaving the best answer when a preacher feels that the congregation is displeased with him? What are some other choices a minister might make instead of leaving a church he has felt called to shepherd?

Did Ruby Lee support her husband by suggesting that they leave? Could it be that she felt as if she was near the end of her rope and saw no possibilities of a positive outcome? What are some ways we can keep our faith strong when going through trying times?

When an old year passes away and a new one takes its place, we tend to reflect on the past and focus on our future, which we hope and pray will go well.

In my novel, The Healing Jar, Lenore became discouraged and felt frustrated about her future and her desire to be married and have a family of her own.

Have you ever become impatient with God’s timing and plan for your life and tried to work things out your own way? Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn’t see clearly which direction the Lord was leading? If so, what did you do about it?

One thing I plan to do during the upcoming year is to spend more time thinking and praying about new insights, reading the Scriptures, and considering how to incorporate the things God reveals to me into my life.