But Thou, O Lord art a Shield for me; my glory, and the Lifter up of my head.
Psalm 3:3
(Not official cover in the photo)
It was October, it was a warm day as I recall, and new book releases were buzzing around.
Two people I knew were releasing books, and I think I may have watched an author Instagram live that night.
But here I was now, I had come outside to have my time with God, but I was distracted. I was thinking about my book that I promised to get to people. I was thinking "How I am going to get this book to them?"
And God said.... "Publish it."
I'll tell you, my heart beat rapidly at that moment. I wondered if this was Him, if I was wanting to publish a book just because other people were doing it.
But no, God was in this. I was excited but decided to be fitful about it.
I thought my parents would think the same thing as me. I was throwing quite the whinny fit.
It was about 24hrs before I spoke to my parents. They were VERY supportive. And encouraged me. Praise God!
God was good.
Shortly after I started the road to editing. It was difficult the first time. I didn't get but like a little bit done and spent a long time on deciding size and font. LOL!
There were many times of being overwhelmed and stressed along the way. And something God taught me early on was to believe. B.E.L.I.E.V.E
He taught me being stressed and overwhelmed wasn't of Him but of the devil. He was the God of peace.
There was a lot of ups and downs and lot of being overwhelmed. But He taught me these amazing truths. He whispered them to my heart. He showed me scriptures to go with this, like Jairus daughter. As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. (Mark 5:36).
It's beautiful.
Then He gave me an editor. My sister. Don't ever say sister's aren't helpful.
Chloe kept saying she was going to pick up helping me some after Thanksgiving (she had read the first book already) and I kept saying no. I tried to think and carry out other options before that. But then God spoke to my heart telling me she was my editor. I had been praying and trying to believe God would work it out and God showed me she was it and to quit arguing about her being my editor. Praise God for her!
Then I got strep throat. If you had this you know how painful it is. And I just hate sore throats in general. This was a time that brought me down spiritual and physically. But God lifted those heavy burdens in sweet ways. And once again said "Believe." And with God, I was on the road to editing again. Praise Him!
Then there was my release date. Only the book didn't release. This was embarrassing and painful. After all the months of work. After a week of intense work, it wasn't published. They didn't take my cover and there were other problems with my interior file.
My family was very sweet and celebrated my release day anyway! I'm so thankful for them!
The following week was spent trying to fix to book cover (With God I managed to get the interior taking care of-PRAISE HIM!!)... I kept trying things I thought could be wrong and kept getting rejected. I knew of a girl I could hire to do it but I kept trying more before I took that route. I really couldn't afford to hire someone and my momma wanted to try herself (I didn't let her and then she encouraged me to try other things). Then on Thursday God said for me to obey, and I knew He meant obeying my momma. I needed to talk to her about hiring someone. I talked to her and then let her look at the cover (I didn't think she knew anything about it) and she helped me make some adjustments.
Friday morning I had a dream that the cover was accepted.
I woke up and it was. Wow!! Praise God!
Wow! Ya'll! God!
He turned everything out for good! He made promises and He kept them! The came and are coming true!!
Saturday night or rather Sunday morning I released my book! A.L.L. T.H.E. G.L.O.R.Y!!!
The Sunday of my supposed release day I heard a preacher talking about the seventh day, as in Joshua marching around Jericho, and God spoke to be about the seventh day, things were going to happen.
And my book released on the 21st, 7 days after the 14th! And the response I got was more than I expected!! Praise God! Hallelujah!!! I felt His Holy Spirit on me as I wrote that!
As through this all, a passages of scripture became so important to me, as it had through some of the writing process.
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But Thou, O Lord, art a Shield for me; my glory, and the Lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah.
P s a l m 3
The devil brought a lot of trouble to me, many rose up against me. There even may have people who thought I couldn't do it.
B u t G o d h e a r d m e.
He sustained me. He stopped the enemy. His blessing is upon me.
Praise Him!!
So, ya'll if you see anything in this book. If You read it and it blesses you in anyway. Don't look to Beth jane. Look to the True Author. Jesus Christ.
He is my.... our Shield.
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Well this mark the end of the blog tour (sorry this last post is a day late! Super sorry!😉) A HUGE THANK YOU to all the bloggers!! Ya'll are God sent, answered prayers, and such gems!! Ya'll did a lovely job on each of your post!!! I'm so thankful for you all!!! Love you and God Bless you and what your doing for Him!
Yesterday's post was over at Uniquely M (ari) e and she did a character interview!!! You can check that out HERE!!! "Thanks a million Uniquely M (ari) e! You did AMAZING!!!!!!
And to my readers, followers, friends, and family! A HUGE thank you! Your prayers and encouragement mean so much! I love you!
God Bless each and everyone of you for your support, prayers, encouragement, and love.
God Bless💗💗
