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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*** NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN — FAITH BARISTA JAM! ***
Faith Barista Jam Thursdays — I serve up a topic of faith, you write the post. Let’s encourage each other. Add your voice. Swap our stories.
Share your post by clicking the blue button below “Add Your Link” or just comment directly.
Today’s Thursday’s Topic 11/2: A gift you’ve received recently from God.”
Approach it any way you feel inspired! Only required ingredient: keep it real.
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Next Thursday’s Topic 11/10: How Is God Currently Calling You To Walk By Faith?
It’s a jam session. As time allows, say hi & drop a comment when visiting the community faith blends!
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103 Comments
Bonnie, this is such exciting news! I’m so happy for you! At the same time, I understand the fear. I believe that, when the Lord leads us to step outside our comfort zones, He equips us with all we need. And you know that you have us when you need us, too!
Melissa, thanks for blessing me with your words. Grateful for you.
Bonnie! I’m so so excited for you. Praise God! Patiently, I have been waiting for you to write a book. 🙂 What an honor that we get to walk through all the this with you. And I would love to read posts about the process.
Oh, and just a side note, make sure you schedule a book signing in Georgia! 😉
Aw, Jennifer! I would love to do a book signing in Georgia! Now, you’re visioning with me. What a friend. 🙂
Yay, Bonnie! Congratulations!
Thanks, Glynn for being part of the inspiring community who loves God and loves words. Grateful for your leadership.
I am SO not surprised that God is asking from you your gift of offering life-giving words from your intimate walk with Him in the form of a book. I have no doubt whatsoever that He will write it for you and through you, and that many will find out who He really is through reading it.
Interesting that the very gift that God has slipped into my stormy world in the past few weeks has been A BOOK. I picked it up from a cluttered table in a discount store……one that I rarely shop at. And I cannot tell you how perfectly the message of that book spoke into my brokenness. Every chapter made me realize that God is fully aware of my pain, because He was being so intentional in offering me healing through those pages.
God has a message that only you can write.
And yes, anyone can share and expound on God and His word, but the message He wants to bring through you will be filtered through the story He has written with YOUR life…..and only you can write that book.
Julie….now you have us all wondering: “What is that book YOU’VE been reading???”
LOL…….It’s called The Shelter of God’s Promises by Sheila Walsh, with chapters like; Confidence/ I Can’t See God’s Plan in This Pain
Grace/ I Have Failed
Strength/ I Feel Things Are Crashing Around Me
Hope/ I’m Broken
Home/ I Have A Future
Just to name a few!
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Cor. 1:20
Love it!!
Julie….grabbed that book at Women of Faith in Hartford this past weekend, based on your recommendation. I am really enjoying it….thanks….and, I was a couple of rows away from Sheila herself!!!
Glad you picked it up! I am reading it through for the second time because there was so much in there that spoke directly to the crisis I am finding myself in right now.
I have never been to a Women of Faith conference. Did you get special seats? I am a new fan of Sheila Walsh but I don’t know much about her or her story.
I attended a Beth Moore Living Proof Live in Baltimore last month. Last year I made a connection with a woman at one of Beth’s conferences and we have continued an online friendship. I had no idea she travels with Beth to all of her events and is the leader for all of the altar calls.
Anyways, when I told my friend I was hoping to see her at the upcoming LPL in Baltimore, she emailed me back and said she reserved special seats for me! What an incredible gift….no waiting in line! Then she told me that she shared my story with Beth Moore and that I should sit on the end of the row where she had me reserved. I was so nervous the entire two days of that conference, afraid that Beth was going to single me out like she does with people in the audience sometimes. I mean, I like attention, but not quite THAT much.
But she didn’t call me out. She mentioned me and my son’s battle with cancer during her last session, but didn’t use my name.
Sorry for the eternal reply! Love you!
Julie, thanks for your encouraging words! It’s my deepest heart’s desire to write a book where others can find encouragement in the journey of faith!
Bonnie, so excited for you. I knew one was coming. I could feel it in my spirit when I read your post. Praying for you as you walk through this journey!!
Love you,
Cherie
Hi Cherie, I cherish your prayers. Thnx for sharing this moment in the journey. May God bless you right where you at in yours, friend!
I am so so excited for you Bonnie! Will be praying for you!
Thanks so much, Amy!
Bonnie, congratulations on the book! What a joy and a challenge. Excited to follow along with you in the journey!
Hi Sarah! It’s wonderful to share the journey together. Love your words and how you write for Jesus!
Happy for you Bonnie. Gotta love that contract. “Author: Bonnie Gray”
Cheering you on
Thanks, David! It’s a encouragement to have a community to share the moment!
I knew this was just a matter of time, not because I know so much about writing but because your writing ministry is so powerful. This is a wonderful milestone and I hope you take some mental snapshots that you can always turn back to. I’ll never forget the fancy dinner that my wife and I had to celebrate my first book deal. It was a great moment!
Thanks, Ed! May God continue to inspire this community to share real stories of faith being lived, to draw us all closer to Jesus.
[…] more posts about God’s gifts today at Faith Barista: The Book that Would Not Go Away var fbShare = {url: 'http://inamirrordimly.com/2011/11/03/receiving-permission-to-unplug/',size: […]
I am so thrilled for you! The excitement of that contract is amazing because there it is–in black and white–it’s no longer a dream. I rejoice in this gift God has given to you (and the many readers who will be blessed and encouraged through your words).
Kristine, it’s a blessing to have faith friends to share this moment with. Thank you for your encouragement!
Congratulations!!! And you’re right…we should never do life alone!!!
Thanks for being here, Deb!
OH! How wonderful!!!! I can not wait to read it!!!
My gift has been you and your writing. It always encourages me because it is real. Thank you friend.
That just makes me smile from ear to ear. Of course, you know that. Hugs to you, Katie!
Congratulations Bonnie!!! Your writing has ministered to me ever so often because of our similar experiences and approaches to life. Let me wish you all the very best as you move forward and be ALL God has ‘purposed’ you to be!!! God Bless!!
Liza! Thank you so much! How special it is to find a kindred spirit!
What an incredible blessing and opportunity! Richly deserved. God will honor your obedience.
Thanks SO much, Diane! You bless my heart!
Bonnie, this so awesome! I read your email and then to you read this again… So excited for you! God does some wonderful healing miracles in the midst of community as we trust Him. What a gracious God we serve. 🙂 Blessings!
Jason, you’ve been there early on. It’s a blessing to encourage each other in the journey. Thanks, brother!
Congratulations!! This is such awesome news. I’m so glad you are willing to be used by God. It takes a lot of courage to step into the deep waters! I can’t wait to read what God lays on your heart!
Blessings!
Becki
I am so thrilled for you! Congratulations! I’ll have to get that one. Would you write a guest post for my blog at the time of your book’s release? I know that’s way down the line, but I want to put in a word first so I can help promote someone who has been so encouraging to me.
So happy for you, Bonnie! Will look forward to hearing from you all through the process. Thanking God for YOU and the gift of encouragement through words that He has given you. Thanks for sharing this gift with us here on this blog, and now we will look forward to a book, as well! All because of Him.
Love & prayers for you …
cool.
Wow! Congratulations on the book! I’ll be watching for its release!
Oh, Bonnie. I’m doing Snoopy spins for you. Sharing your joy. Counting it a privilege to pray. xoxo
Snoopy spins! Sandra, you nut!
Dance with me, Nancy!
How exciting! I can’t wait for it to come out!
you are a gift to us!
So excited for you, Bonnie! Looking forward to seeing what God does in and through your words. Love seeing the photo of the contract because, as we all know, if it’s on the internet it’s got to be true, right?
you have shown your vulnerability in your writing. you have been transparent. that’s where we meet the scary parts of our lives with the healing. It feels so threatening to walk out into the bright light of transparency. But God’s reality is usually the opposite of what we feel —-we want to hide in the darkness thinking we’re safe. Thank you for your coming out into the bright light of Him. May we all find encouragement from one another to walk in transparency even amidst the lying fear.
Bonnie- I absolutely loved reading today’s post! I hope, and pray, and feel in my spirit that somewhere, someday, I’m going to be able to write the same kind of post. (in fact, I may copy and paste yours when that day comes cuz you did it so beautifully lol). I’m thrilled for you! What a gift you have been given, because of the gift He has given you – to write.
I have one technical/writing question – the book proposal – this is done before the book is written? (that sounds like a dumb question but oh well). Book proposals can be presented with just the idea for a book, and then the manuscript gets underway? Thanks for your help in this…..
Praying for you Bonnie as you travel this road that God has paved for you. High Five on saying Yes to Him!!
Thank you, Bonnie. I love the community here; God has done a good work in you to bring it together.
And I am SO excited about your book! That is great news. I pray that it will touch many with the love of Christ. You are a gift to us and a special servant in the Kingdom.
So…you’re telling me I’m supposed to wait over a year for this? 🙂
This is wonderful news! I’m excited to travel down this road with you!
Lisa
Oh, I am so excited for you!! I look forward to see your words revealed in this medium!
Was SO great to meet you this past weekend! You blessed me so much!!
Congratulations! I look forward to reading your book some day.
Lisa, it’s your raw honesty that has given me freedom in my own living that way. And I am so excited to have *met* you in this way, as I also am head over heels with Grace found through community. I only write what I do because He has guided me to people who have affirmed that He really does speak to our hearts!
I’m so excited to be on this journey with you and to hear about your delight!!!
Rich blessings as His Grace-for-you rains down on your living.
Bonnie, I am so excited for you you! I know that your words are going to touch the lives of many.
Oh, I’m thrilled for you! Looking forward to 2013…
Congratulations! Looking forward to the journey ahead for you!
Faith B.
Great encouraging news for one of the greatest encouragers I know. Your gift has made room for you – and I think it’s gonna be a BIG room!
Bonnie, I am so excited for you! I know this will be an adventure of both great and difficult, but I know that God will bless you for following His will in your life!
Bonnie, I may not have been here long, but I have been touched by you and your writing and your shots of faith continually since starting to frequent your site. I am so excited for you to start this journey and cannot wait to see how God is going to continue to use you! And you give me hope, as someone who has watched those she loves be burned by community, that with time and love and patience, you can – perhaps tentatively at first – reenter it and once again be enriched by those around you! AMAZING!
Thank you for (again, some more) sharing your heart, your journey, your joys and fears. It all enriches my life. 🙂
WAAAWHOOOO! I’m so happy the news is out, Bonnie! With a cartwheel and a herky I say WELL DONE! Patting your back and holding your hand through the process, sweet friend! I love you to pieces!! You BLESS.
Congratulations, Bonnie! May the reach of your words extend into the hands and hearts of those who don’t take time to read online, as your book becomes something tangible to tuck into a purse or book bag or briefcase.
You do good work.
Congratulations Bonnie! I am thrilled to hear this. In using the gift of writing God has given you, you will be giving a gift of enouragement to many even as you have been doing all along. It is a journey of faith, and I am glad to see you have some concrete steps ahead of you. God bless you, friend!
I’m so excited for you, my friend! I love you and I’m so glad we can share this journey! 🙂
Oh, Bonnie! So glad the word is out! What a joy it was to be with you when you heard the news. And now I can celebrate right along with everyone else and tell you just how happy I am for you! Congratulations, girlfriend!
You are the second writer in my life who has heard good news from a publisher this week. God is awesome. God has been inching me towards a book of healing that won’t go away. I don’t know if will ever be published, but I do know He wants it written. The blog I started with encouragers like you, Mary Demuth, and Holley Gerth that God strategically placed in my life at just the right times have been a stretch for my voice,but I have found I can’t shut up now. So thank you for using yuor voice for those like me who have gleaned from your faith trail. So happy for you!
PS I havn’t written in a week. Been sick. Glad the Faith Jam is today!
whooooo hooo! Yaaaaay Bonnie 🙂 So very excited for you 🙂
How exciting! Congratulations!
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Delighted for you, Bonnie, and for those who will read your words and see God’s grace in them. He will walk with you through this journey of putting your faith on the page, and He will place these stories in the hands of those they are meant to reach. May you taste His joy and pleasure every step of the way.
Love,
Jeanne
I am so excited for you and glad you shared this with us. I hope you do share more as you write. I will keep you in my prayers!
i love your candid post and i hope to get to read your faith filled book when it comes out 2013-u have an amazing gift of writing and making your words come alive and “jump” out of the pages and into our hearts so I thank God for you, for your gift, for strnegthening you and giving you hope and faith to open your heart again and write for all of us to enjoy and God speak to us!
Tossing confetti! Cheering loudly! Clapping and turning cartwheels! Wonderful news, Bonnie. You have a powerfully convicting way with words and you bless so many with your voice and stories. So glad you can cast the net further with a book in print.
{and what a blessing it was to meet you in person at Relevant}.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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!
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.
[…] decision to silence the whispers of The-Book-That-Would-Not-Go-Away set off a battle of words in the privacy of my […]
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.
[…] I know for many of us, it’s only the first month of the year. But for me, I’ve been walking through the first trimester of… writing the book-that-would-not-go-away. […]
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!
[…] Linking with Bonnie and high-fiving her on the news of her new book contract! […]
[…] was in that place of freedom, God planted in my heart, the Book-That-Would-Not-Go-Away. To my surprise, a childhood passion to write took the form of a God-sized dream to publish a […]
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[…] in 2011, Bonnie announced she had scored a book contract with Revell. I was so thrilled for her! As time went by Bonnie backed away from the blog a bit so […]