Authors share their blessings
We’re continuing our tradition of sharing what some of our favorite novelists are especially thankful for this year. I hope you had a chance to see our post from yesterday. I always enjoy hearing from our authors, don’t you? It’s fun to get to know them a little bit more beyond just reading their book.
Today we have another group of novelists stopping by. Let’s see what will be some of the things they will be extra grateful for as they sit around the Thanksgiving table this week!
Welcome, authors!
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I have so much to be thankful for. Our family has been going through a series of huge transitions and change over the past two years—the loss of family members, the addition of family members, a daughter starting college, a daughter getting married, a grandson on the way. It’s amazing to me all that has taken place in the past few years in my family life alone, not to mention in my writing life. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a year and a half since my debut novel released. Now I have three novels out, just finished my fourth and I’m writing my fifth. I’ve been deeply blessed by wonderful readers who so kindly send me encouragement after encouragement. But what’s amazed me most, though I don’t know why it should, is God’s tremendous faithfulness. Faithfulness even when we can’t see it because of the sorrow. Faithfulness in turning our mourning into dancing, of bringing new life into this world, in comforting us when we need it most, of sheltering us from storms under the shadow of His wing, and blessing us with friends who’ve become family. God has been so abundantly faithful to meet my every need and heart’s cry over the past two years and He’s continuing to do so. He’s blessed me with a wonderful husband, two amazing daughters, a great son-in-law, and my first grandchild who’s due on Valentine’s day. This Thanksgiving, I’m most thankful for God’s abiding presence, faithfulness and love. - Dani Pettrey, author of Stranded
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I’m so thankful for Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday, as it ushers in Christmas and all the wonders of the season. Spending time in the kitchen preparing the big dinner and gathering around a warm fire that evening with family are some of the Lord’s best blessings. This year I’m especially grateful for my husband, Randy, and our two boys, Wyatt and Paul, shown here picking apples in our orchard. I’m also thankful for the Image may be NSFW.
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pleasure of good books and the joy my readers bring me. As another very full year closes, I’m especially thankful for my Savior for shepherding me and giving me His supernatural joy and peace on the journey.
I’m praying each of you has a blessed, joyful holiday season! - Laura Frantz, author of Love’s Awakening
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This year, I am thankful for my family—Ryan, my husband, who is way better than any hero I could fabricate; our son, who can melt my heart and make me laugh all within the span of the same second; and our daughter, who is half a world away, but has stolen my heart completely. I’m thankful for the time I was able to spend with her in her country this month and the bond that was formed. I’m thankful for the gift of writing—the challenge and the joy that is bringing a Image may be NSFW.
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story to life and then getting to share that story with so many amazing, encouraging readers. And most of all, I’m thankful for a God who spoils me with His grace, who lifts my head when I am weak, and offers hope always. – Katie Ganshert, author of Wishing on Willows
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The day before Thanksgiving 2010, I received a call from the radiologist, telling me that I had breast cancer. I am so very thankful for God’s peace that blanketed me through the months of treatment that followed. Each Thanksgiving since, when I can say, “Thank God, I’m a cancer survivor,” is precious to me.
Through the decades of my life, there have been other trials, some that came through no fault of my own and some that came because of my own poor decisions. I have learned through the journey that I truly can praise God and be thankful in whatever circumstances I find myself. Sanctification is a lifelong journey. We travel it one day at a time, and the refining process is always part of it. None of us wants to step into that fire so the dross can be burned away. We don’t want to be pruned with those spiritual clippers. But it is for our eternal good that we submit to it.
I consider my life lesson to be this: “Nothing, absolutely nothing, enters my life that isn’t caused or allowed by God and filtered through His loving hands, for the purpose of making me more like Jesus.” And so I am thankful that the Lord loves me too much to let me remain as He finds me.
I am so incredibly grateful that God has allowed me to take the lessons and experiences of my life—the easy ones and the difficult ones—and use them in my books as my way of offering hope, encouragement, and simple enjoyment to other believers. I am blessed by it every day. May God richly bless my agent and my editors and the entire publishing team with whom I am privileged to work.
Finally, I am so thankful for my husband and my daughters and sons-in-laws and my grandchildren. I’m thankful for my natural family, immediate and extended, and I am thankful for the sisters and brothers of the heart the Lord has placed in my life, here on earth and for eternity. – Robin Lee Hatcher, author of A Promise Kept
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G.K. Chesterton wrote “The Iliad is great because all life is a battle, The Odyssey because all life is a journey, The Book of Job because all life is a riddle.” He was talking about great stories and why they are universal and resonate with us – and I agree with him. But his statement also leads me to Christ – and for that I am most thankful. Life is a battle and it’s been won. Life is a journey and we are not alone. And as life swirls around me faster than I can manage, it becomes a riddle – one that I don’t have to unravel and one that can’t defeat me. God has us in hand and we can rest there. I know this sounds a little impersonal, but it’s just the opposite – I have trouble “resting” and I need constant reminders. I am so profoundly thankful for our loving and patient God. – Katherine Reay, author of Dear Mr. Knightley