The Book That Would Not Go Away
A journal in my hand.
I’ve been writing here at Faith Barista, talking to you usually in the dark — in the morning before the birds start chirping, at night when the children are no longer up.
In the quiet, my fingers cradle a pen over a journal. I rest them over a keyboard to type my words out.
Writing is where I’ve always found freedom.
I find my voice.
I hear God’s.
And I am no longer alone.
It’s always been that way growing up as a little girl.
But, when I started this blog — writing in the open — things changed.
Something Personal
My journey with words led me to something new.
Writing led me to the gift of community.
Creating Faith Barista led me to you.
So, it feels surreal what I am about to tell you.
Today, I have something personal to share with you. I say it is personal because my first instinct was to not share it just yet.
Keep it close. Until later down the line.
For those of you who have been regulars at Faith Barista for years, you know that I’d been wounded in community previously — for a such a long season, it once threatened to define me.
So, I wanted to fall back into my default mode of keeping quiet. But, here is why I’m writing you today.
God has used you –
your kindred spirit
your real-life stories
your quiet companionship
…to inspire me — to write a book about the journey of faith.
The Book That Would Not Go Away
Like a pebble in my shoe, the book would not go away. It kept me up at night, whispering in my ear throughout the day.
When I ate, as I drove, wherever I turned, in conversations — the stories I wanted to share would not go away.
So last year, I started a book proposal, to see if God wanted to take my writing to print. To make a long story short, this was my second book proposal. I wrote the first one seven years ago. It was the second one that got picked up by Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Two weeks ago, I got the book contract in the mail.
I signed on the dotted line later that week.
The manuscript is due next year. The book will be released in the summer of 2013.
This book isn’t a memoir, but I will be telling my story as I always do to serve up encouragement in the journey of faith.
I am speechless at the turn of events… absolutely joy-filled at such a gift.
But, I am also terrified. This means God wants me to step back into community in a public way and He’s calling me to write more boldly and freely than I have ever done.
This is why I am grateful for you.
My First Steps
You have made this a safe journey for me.
So, here is where I begin my first steps onto an untraveled path ahead.
Together, we will keep faith fresh. (If you are interested in the writing process, I’d be happy to encourage you in future posts too.)
I’m so excited. I can’t wait to share this book with you.
We were never made to do life alone. I’ve always believed that by faith. But, God has brought you into my life, in this season, to let me know this is true for me now.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Your voices.
Your faith — Your stories are God’s gifts to me.
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”
~ Philippians 1:3, 4
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What gift has God slipped into your life recently?
Pull up a chair. This is what I savor — your thoughts and your stories. Click to share a comment.
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Today’s Thursday’s Topic 11/2: A gift you’ve received recently from God.“
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It’s a jam session. As time allows, say hi & drop a comment when visiting the community faith blends!
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Layla on Why I’ve Been Away & Why I Must Write Today
Carol Morris on The Heart That Says Yes
Marcy on Why I’ve Been Away & Why I Must Write Today
Dileep on Looking For My Real Father
Stephanie on Why I’ve Been Away & Why I Must Write Today
Yay!!! Congratulations, Bonnie! This is wonderful news and I look forward to you sharing more about this journey with us. Thank you for being brave. You are an inspiration.
Courtney´s last [type] ..The Tradition Maker
I’m new to your blog, but noticed your gift with words and your gracious spirit seeking God’s heart. You’ve been an encouraging and I am not surprised by the book contract. Bless you! and thank you for inspiring the community.
How awesome, Bonnie! Congratulations! And praise Him! I look forward to reading the book and reading about your thoughts along the way. Thanks for sharing the good news with us!
Caroline´s last [type] ..Gifts in the Hardships
Hearty congratulations to you! Good for you, finding courage in God to write that proposal and not to give up after the first one. I look forward to sharing your journey.
tinuviel´s last [type] ..Whose Burden?
I’ve only been following FB for about a week, but have been truly inspired. Thank you for your ministry. Today’s post speaks directly to a friend’s situation and I couldn’t wait to tell him about it. Keeping you and your ministry in my daily prayers.
YAY! Can’t wait! Reserve me a copy!!!
As you see from these comments, Bonnie, so many of us are totally with you all the way. There are hundreds who won’t post here but also believe in you.
I’ll buy your first edition… or if you want me too, I’ll read the unfinished script and write a recommendation, as I love the way you express yourself and believe that you have a heart full of creative inspiration for all of us to grow from. You put into words what we wish we could say, besides introducing new thoughts and concepts for us to eat from and be satisfied.
I just read your happy news and wanted to say “Congratulations!” I am happy that you are feeling redeemed and validated all over again, firstly. Because while I don’t know what happened, I so understand that feeling of not…and I am happy that you got a book deal, because in a different way, that validates you and what you think and do, doesn’t it? Happy, happy for you!
Sincerely,
PJ
Ain’t God COOL????? Congratulations!!!
I am rather new here, yet find this news absolutely wonderful and am about as excited for you as some of these 63 previous followers have expressed in their comments. May God watch over your shoulder, guide your hands as you type away and share your journey of faith.
Yes, I find this community to be such a blessing as we open our hearts to one another. I am glad you have opened your heart in honest thanks to all who have followed you for these years. I find this a joy-filled post.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
~ linda´s last [type] ..Baby Henry! Heart Transplant! I LOST HIM!
Bonnie, I’m so excited for you as you embark on this part of your awesome adventure. Especially with what’s going on in mine right now as I step into my dreams.
Congratulations! I’m so encouraged by you.
Jeri T.´s last [type] ..Gifts in the Unplanned
Bonnie, I am so thrilled to hear this news. Your blog is a daily source of inspiration an refreshment to me, and I look forward to the book’s release. You will be great!
Similarly, God has recently rekindled my passion for writing, and for this I am so thankful.
Best of luck!
Oh, wow, Bonnie! Congratulations!!! So wonderful to meet you last weekend (and to learn we live minutes away from each other!)
Congratulations, Bonnie! I am so excited for you! I can’t wait to hear more. God is calling me to write a book as well. I am supposed to be working on a proposal but am feeling a little overwhelmed.
Praying that all will go well for you in bringing your proposal to print and that God’s inspired words will fill the pages.
Julie Sunne´s last [type] ..Uniquely and Collectively His
Congratulations Bonnie! I am so very excited for you. God would not allow you to keep the gift He gave you silent. And I for one am so thankful to simply encourage you along the journey.
I also want to say that you have encouraged me in my faith and in my writing. As you find your voice, you are helping me to find mine too. So thank you for that.
In the midst of trials and testing, I am learning that God is good and God is so faithful. Trust has always been such a huge challenge for me. And yet even with continued seemingly huge obstacles, I’m learning day by day that He is trustworthy and He has a plan. I may not understand it all now but I am giving thanks in all things. I am growing in my faith even when I don’t see the future. I’m learning to rest in Him and He will guide the way.
God bless you Bonnie!
Love,
Debbie
Debbie´s last [type] ..WFW ~ Time
Bonnie, I’m so excited for you and entirely unsurprised. I’ve been waiting for this news for a long time now. Congratulations and WAY TO BE! Keep me posted on the process and I’ll definitely be praying for you!
Jake´s last [type] ..I Don’t Need Help- By Angie
So happy for you Bonnie. Can’t wait to have it in hands.
I’m sure it’s gonna touch and bless many as your words have always have here on Faithbarista for me.
Congratulations Bonnie– and may God be with you as you write. May He give you fulfillment in communicating encouragement. And thank-you for hosting this Faith Jam.
Carol´s last [type] ..A Season of Gifts
This is the best sort of news for all us dreamers!
Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement to me at Relevant. I mentioned you today, and more specifically this coming Monday. You will never know how much it meant!
Thank you and may God make your pen fly across the page!
Stacey´s last [type] ..She is Relevant
Yay–congratulations! What wonderful news! May the Lord always be with you in this journey you’re about to embark on!
Wow! That’s so exciting! I will pray for you as you continue on this amazing journey. We will be blessed to learn more about faith from your faithful hand and heart.
messymarriage´s last [type] ..Martyr Mother-In-Laws
You may never get to the end of all these wonderful encouragements to read this, but I wanted to let you know I am so excited for you. I too know what it is like to be pregnant with a book (my experience) and to feel God give birth to it within you. What a blessing to be given an avenue, by Him, in His timing for His purposes. He will use this to bless others, you can be sure. He does His work in us, and we are called to testify of that work. He calls us (and leads us) to encourage other believers. I pray He will continue to inspire you and to use even this book writing process to help you grow in dependence upon Him. When the words and thoughts flow like water from a spring, praise Him. When you are dry and the thoughts seem muddled and stuck in your heart without proper expression, praise Him. Fix your eyes on Him, not on deadlines, not on readers — on Him. He Who begun this marvelous work in you will complete it. Thank you for your example of courageous obedience to your call in stepping past fears of rejection to let your gifts be used by Him. No doubt this will be a blessed endeavor.
Congratulations!! I would like to write. Maybe getting on this site will help me get back on track. There seems to be lots of inspiration.
Thanks, Sharon! Blessings on your journey of expressing faith through writing!