Blurb

Don't you love that title?

It's one of those words that, if you say it a few times, you wonder, is this even a real word?

Blurb...blurb...blurb...

Okay, let me focus here.

Every book has a blurb that tells the reader a story's basic premise, enticing them to read more.

What is your blurb?

Mine goes something like this:

"Here is a story of a woman who believed all the lies for far too long until she said yes to following Jesus and found the truths that changed everything."

In other words:

"yada yada yada...and then God."

Oh, beloved, we sure have a "and then God" story to tell, don't we?

Ours is a story filled with countless interruptions and plot twists.

Time and time again, God interrupted the plans of our demise and saved us from peril.

Over and over, God changed our direction and got us back on the right track.

Without fail, God came to our rescue and shone His light in the darkness, helping us find our way back to Him.

God showed us the purpose that could be found in our pain and the way forward to freedom.

So, what part of the story are you telling?

Are you focusing on all the bad parts, stuck in the conflict and turmoil?

Or do you get to the good parts and share the details of all God has done?

As the pages from your story are read aloud, who has the microphone?

Is it the voice of fear, worry, and tragedy?

Or is it the voice of truth, hope, and light?

All the good and bad parts weave into the story - your journey from the ashes.

You can choose to stay in the bad parts - rereading the sections where the ashes and darkness lie.

Or you can turn the pages and focus on the parts where love and life lie as you follow God forward.

Your story is still unfolding, beloved, and you must choose to stay or go.

Perhaps you are still in the conflict part where tragedy abounds, and all hope seems lost.

If that is the case, do not despair, dear one.

The good part is coming, and the resolution is just around the corner.

Keep going. Keep going. Keep going.

We are the beloved children of God, and we haven't even gotten to the best part yet!

Your story is being written in God's Book of Life.

I imagine God in a cozy cottage with a roaring fire, sitting at a lovely dark wooden desk, holding a beautiful feathered quill pen, slowly writing the best parts of your story.

God smiles so widely as He writes of His great love for you and describes your rescue and redemption with such joy and grace.

Each word of the beloved's story is precious to God.

Every part of your story matters, but the best parts, the "and then God" parts, deserve all the highlights and bent page corners so that we can read them over and over and retell them to all who will hear.

I can't wait to read your blurb and hear all about the story of you - God's beloved one.

And then God...

Psalm 71: 15-17

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long, though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day, I declare your marvelous deeds.

1 Timothy 1: 15:17

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity.