What is GG&G you ask? It’s a book – Girlfriends, God & Grace. It’s my book. It’s the book that took me down a road – well, it was more like I just hung on as we RACED down the road. I bounced around behind, just hanging on as we traveled through the grassy meadows and the rocky roads. Many times I just wanted to LET GO, but for some reason the Lord planted my hands firmly to this project.
GG&G started out as a simple friend book – nothing heavy handed or too high browed. Just fun with friends. And then God took me down some hard, HARD roads and the book took on a new dimension – still fun, still friends, but also with a word of caution about relationships. I could write about it because I lived it and had the battle scars to prove it.
And then the book sold – I stood in awe that God would use all the junk I’d gone through to His glory. I was stunned and relieved – whew! I was out of the woods – no more hard lessons, back to the fun friend stuff.
I spent the next many months finishing up the manuscript. That sentence sounds so peaceful – trust me when I say it was NOT peaceful. I whined, cried, ate ridiculous amounts of bad food, and slept at my desk. And those were the good days. I do not speak of the bad days – I’m trying to erase them from my mind.
At LAST – the book is finished. The edits are done. The cover is chosen. Fonts are picked. The layout is decided. Just weeks away from the book going to the printer – and I get the call.
We’re sorry, but we’re cancelling this book.
WHAT?
There were lots of words about the down economy, need to streamline, cutting half the upcoming publishing list, and that while they all love me I’m definitely NOT going to sell like Max Lucado…. I may have made up that last part.
I sobbed. They hate me. I’m awful. I’ll never be a writer. I QUIT.
And then I picked myself up off the floor and got back to life. GG&G came back home – she was more grown up and had seen some of the world. I stuck her in a drawer for a while and then sent her to Sandra Bishop at MacGregor’s Literary agency and she became her new champion.
Sandra worked tirelessly – I got bored. I was tired of the fun friend stuff and I didn’t want anything to do with the hard relationship stuff. I was ready to move on.
Fast forward to December 2010 and a phone call with New Hope Publisher – and I knew this was where the Lord was leading when I heard words like ‘add more scripture’ and ‘focus on serving together’
And this is where I am today.
I’m so THRILLED to be working with New Hope Publishers —
As I look back over the roads I’ve traveled with this book, I’m so thankful.
- I connected with Premier Christian Cruises – who I now work with.
- My speaking / teaching ministry has grown by leaps & bounds.
- I met more blogging friends than I can count – they are such a blessing.
- GG&G grew to encompass more than friends, it’s about reaching beyond ourselves
- I found Facebook & Twitter – what did I do with all my spare time before I got so ‘connected.’
- GG&G found a new home where I believe we both will fit right in
It’s been a journey – rough at times, easy at others and I’m so glad the Lord never allowed me to let go. He kept my heart planted in the middle of this project, even when my head and hands wanted to leave.
What about you? What journey does the Lord have you traveling? You sat through my story, let me hear yours.
Wow! Congratulations. I’m so glad to be counted as one of those blogging friends.
God is so good how He works everything out for GOOD. Everything He allows and does in our lives is for our benefit.
Sheryl
Thank you for sharing your struggles, joys and excitement with us!! You’re willingness to be vulnerable is so beautiful!
Where do I begin….I’ll start in 2008. God spoke to both my husband and I (separately…and we didn’t talk about this until a week later) that we were to move to Florida (all the way from Oregon) and start a ministry helping pastor’s, ministers, etc…accomplish goals they have in front of them. When we finally spoke, my husband said, “You know we’re moving to Florida, right?” I said, “yes.” And that was the start of our faith journey…trusting God for every provision and step! We have now been in Florida for almost 3 years and have seen God’s hand of provision in amazing ways. We are still working on our non-profit status for the ministry but are registered with the state. We are working with a dear pastor in India to help him build a multi-purpose building to house orhpans, staff and have a meeting place for their 7 churches on a monthly basis. It is a big project…funds still haven’t been raised, but we are confident in our Master’s plan and can’t wait to see how this journey plays out. Thanks for listening. You can read more about us at our website. Blessings, Pamela (former Oregoninan turned Floridian for Jesus…and loving it!!)
Wow, Mary I loved your story but now I want your book!!!! and I loved you on Southernbelleview.com. I, too, know what it is like to be planted somewhere and there are times I want to uproot and blow with the wind….God hasn’t let that happen. Sometimes I was tugging hard at those roots while blowing the bangs out of my face and they just didn’t move although I felt a shudder every once in a while. That was just me trying to hard to run while set in place. there are times I still want to run somewhere for a week or two, but I know my roots are planted deep and God has His reasons and I want to honor Him. He does let me escape on cruises where I can see the beauty He has painted everywhere. so I’d love to know when you take some of those cruises!!!!!! God Bless and keep up the good work.
Hey,
Where does gIRL fit into all that? I’m sure it is there somewhere.
Wow Wow loved your story Mary like I said before and will say it again you are awesome and you rock keep holding on to Jesus He is the only anchor that will not be moved and He is the only solid rock that will not be shaken thank you my friend for calling me one of your friends and it is a joy to be your friend and to be praying for you.
Well I am going to try to make this brief and not bore you but the journey God has me on is a pretty windy and like you I am holding on I am in that boat and the waves get pretty big at times then it calms for a few minutes but not for long just enough for me to hang on tight again, I have been unemployed for 1yr and maybe 3 months and have applied and applied and when you never hear from anybody or you get a few interviews here and there and then nobody calls you back it gets pretty discouraging at times, Anyway I take care of an elderly parent with alot of health problems have been doing that for about 5yrs and when I lost my job in 2009 it was like I saw that my mom needed me more than ever espically for the driving and taking her where she needs to go and her laundry and other needs as well so I sat back one day and I talked to God and I said I do not understand then it came to me that maybe there was a reson all of this happen for a reason losing job and all because God knew my mom needed me more God has continue to provide for me thru unemployment but its is a struggle to try to make ends meat every week with all the bills and all on my part. But I guess this is where I really need to trust God in my life and hold on tight to Him because it is pretty scary.
Thanks Mary there is more but to long so I will leave it at that.
Carol
Oh by the way cannot wait to get your book looking forward to it
you go girl
CAROL
ooooweeeee! so excited to read. . . or maybe i should just drive an hour and have you speak it all in me. . .
love you friend.
Oh, girl, congratulations!!! Praise God!
Sandra worked tirelessly … I got bored.
Love that part.
And loving the new look, Mary.