Please welcome Carole Brown to Faith in Writing. She’s written a guest post for the Gratitude Friday’s feature How Much Do I Really Appreciate…?
God’s Word says: Be thankful in all things.
I struggled to finish my latest novel A Flute in the Willows, Book Two of the WWII Spies series because of my busy life: my youngest grandson was scheduled to begin kindergarten, and I wanted to be sure to spend all the time I could with him. Our ministry work, along with several vacation days away with family, necessary work around our hobby farm, and many, many other things, including my own lack of inspiration to write were hindrances that continually kept me unfocused on my writing. But once I’d finished, I realized I had learned a lesson from it: real gratitude.
I know I’m thankful for many things: life, the privileges we have, a good family, God’s gift to us in grandsons, my husband and sons, the ability and time to do what I love (writing, traveling, etc.) and so many more things. But while editing this book, I realized that one of the many things, Josie Patterson (one of the two protagonists) had to learn was appreciation for all those who loved her and endured her selfishness and thoughtlessness of others.
- She learned to appreciate her father’s wisdom, his love for her, and his discipline while she was still at home.
- Her youngest sister, Claire, was always the brunt of Josie’s mischievous jokes and pranks, but when Claire unselfishly shares her beauty tricks with Josie, and unexpectedly, but capably rebukes a rude person for Josie, there is another lesson to be learned.
- While home, a very busy and wonderful housekeeper and cook shared her love and motherly advice to three motherless girls. Of the three, Josie showed her appreciation the least, but when this woman volunteered to help Josie care for her injured husband and did so with so much caring for both of them, Josie’s eyes were opened, and she had to acknowledge that here again was a person she’d never truly appreciated before.
Tough lessons to learn, but ones needed by many of us. For myself, I do love my husband. He’s my best friend and so much more. But do I realize how hard he works for both of us? Have I appreciated his wisdom through the years as I should or thanked God that he’s loved me so faithfully and devotedly? Have I thanked God enough for the privileges and blessings I have right now? Or have I complained a bit too much when things don’t go the way I’ve wanted them to?
Psalm 149 says: Praise the Lord:
- in singing
- in front of others (congregation of saints)
- with instruments of music
- by being joyful in heart
- from morning till sunset
- because he loves us.
This month I truly want to resolve to be extra careful to show and feel gratitude for all the blessings with which God has blessed me. How can I do less?
A Flute in the Willows Blurb
Both rebels in their own way, Josie and Jerry Patterson must figure out how to keep the other’s love…and keep the German enemy at bay.
She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she’s scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Has another woman captured his heart?
Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her own glamourous life…especially after what happened in Germany. But when his wife’s life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can’t stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.
These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their ownselves and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.
Description of protagonists:
Josephine Rayner Patterson, the second sister, is quite different from her older sister. She’s athletic and training for the Olympics once it’s resumed after the war, plays the flute, a little uncaring about her looks and is quite rebellious.
Jerry Patterson, dark, sardonic, sensitive and smart, he despises his overbearing, condescending and wealthy father and joins the service. Because of his sharp senses, he’s trained in subversion for the military and ends overseas in Germany but will the mistakes he makes while there cripple his and Josie’s lives forever?
Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of seven fiction books, with another one releasing late November, 2017, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?
Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=67381031
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts
Stitches in Time: http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
Word Sharpeners: https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/2017/04/14/what-easter-means-to-me/
Wonderful post and so true.