Tuesday, August 22, 2017

HUGE! An Encore


Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

As crazy and unpredictable as this year has been, I cannot presume to dismiss nor discredit my word for the year, the one God led me to before 2016 breathed its last.  The word?  HUGE!

And huge, it has been, in both good and not so good ways for me and my loved ones.

Absolutely.  Positively.  Huge!

It's how God works, isn't it?  He doesn't do anything half-heartedly.  If it is His will and His purpose, you can bet your bottom dollar those will rain down upon you with the reality of The Flood.

Nothing.  Stops.  Him.

So even though I've taken breaks from blogging in the past, they've never lasted more than a week.  This is different.  And it's huge for me.

I've God's decided I need an extended breather.  Not to sit around doing nothing, mind you, but to do something quite specific.  And what might that be, you ask?  In a nutshell:


  • Re-read all six of my novels.
  • Note story lines that beg for further development.
  • Listen for the direction God is telling me to go.
  • Pray for His wisdom and guidance every step of the way.
So yes, my friends, that's precisely what I will be doing in earnest over the next several weeks.  Please understand this is no overnight decision.  Thoughts of embarking upon this task have surfaced frequently in the past two months.  Combine it with numerous friends (you know who you are!) clamoring for a new Glade Series novel, and I simply have no choice but to heed the call.

Will a new novel emerge?  Yes, if it is God's will.

And if it is, indeed, His will, I expect the outcome to be nothing short of HUGE!

So I will trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding these last weeks in August.  My plan is to resume blogging after Labor Day, but is it God's?  I suppose I'll just have to wait and see . . . 

Love and blessings to you all!




32 comments:

  1. As you know I am one who has been wondering about another novel. i will pray that way. Then again, I really ought to pray for God to give you insight into His desire for you in writing. :) Have a great time away.

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    1. Thank you for your prayers, Bill - I really need them. I'm not sure where God will lead me in all this, but I felt called to listen and wait.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. How exciting! This is what we are asked to do--surrender to divine guidance and trust. I reached a similar point at the end of 2013, and stopped blogging. That break, as it turned out, was two years! Wishing you all the best during this time, however short or long it turns out to be.

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    1. Thank you, Galen! Yes, surrendering to and trusting in God's guidance is key, I believe, for us to move forward in the direction He is leading. Just want you to know how much you were missed during your long break, and so thankful you're back! I don't envision being gone that long, as even though I'm taking a hiatus now, God is already laying future blog posts on my heart.
      Love and blessings!

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    2. Thank you for missing me and welcoming me back. We'll miss you, too!

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    3. I'll still try to visit all my blogging friends during this time. Count on it!

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  3. Martha, you are such a great example of "listening and heading" what God says.
    I love the idea of doing a re-read of your novels. To me, they were wonderful as is, however, I know God will reveal what He wants you to glean.
    So, dear friend, I'm praying for you during this season.
    I cannot wait to see what's next!

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    1. Yes, Beckie, to re-read is so important for me. I know there are characters and situations that beg for enlargement, and I'm trusting God will show these to me in His time. Thank you so much for your prayers, my friend. I will need them!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Hopefully, your deep dive will help you discern the direction for your next effort.

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    1. I'm praying that it will, Roy. Thank you for your positive and encouraging words here.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Sorry to see you go, but we must always heed the message when it comes to us from the Father. I wish you the best on your endeavors' and will be looking forward to seeing you back soon. May God's plan prevail.

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    1. Amen, Nells, may God's plan ever prevail!!! Like I mentioned in the post, it all might come to naught as far as a new novel, but I need to listen and heed as Beckie mentioned in her comment. Don't we all?
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Oh, this is HUGE! Yes, You KNOW I am hoping you will complete another novel in this series...there are still so many loose ends to tie up! So I will be praying for you as you seek God's face and His wisdom and direction. If there are specific things you want us to pray for, let us know. I guess I'd better get this last review written!! Anyway, praying for you and trusting God will give you complete clarity in this!! So HUGE!!

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    1. Oh, Pamela, what a glorious thought you have shared here - that I would ask my friends if I need prayer for specific situations in which I find myself. That's exactly what God would want me to do.
      And yes, it's absolutely HUGE for me. Even as I embark on this new direction, God is still inundating me with blog ideas. I'm simply keeping a list, and may work on some ahead if the opportunity presents itself, but it certainly won't be my first priority. Don't worry - this hiatus doesn't mean I won't be reading others' blogs and commenting. Have to stay inspired!
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Your thoughts are always a delight to read and trust is sure an important aspect of all our relationships in life. I wish you all the best with your plans. Greetings!

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    1. Thank you so much, Blogoratti! Yes, trust is key in all our relationships, that is for sure and certain.
      Love and blessings!

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  8. I am so excited for you. Sounds like God is leading you to some new adventure. Can't wait to hear. You are blessing to all of us with your words!!!

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words here, Jean! Yes, I do think God is leading the way; but where is the question. Trusting in Him.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Good for you. Sounds like a lot of wisdom on your behalf.
    I just had your first novel delivered a couple of days ago. So I'll be joining you, in part!

    Enjoy your time away, sister. Looking forward to what our Father reveals to you in your away time.

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    1. Oh, Floyd, I'm so excited to know that you've got the first novel and are ready for adventure! Please let me know how you like it. Yes, looks like we'll be reading together. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  10. My word for 2017 has been "expectant" and I hadn't thought about the birthing pains expectant mothers experience but... there have been plenty. May whatever God is birthing in you come in His time and His way!

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    1. I really like your word for the year, Ed. It's perfect! We should ever be in a state of expectation, watching for how God works in our lives each and every day. Hoping He is going to work in huge ways as I travel down this road.
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Martha, Your news is "huge", yet it's a great time to follow God's nudges. Prayers for you as you spend time away from writing to discern the next step. Blogging breaks can be times of growth.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement, Kim! Yes, breaks from blogging can be a great time for growth and renewal. So feeling the urge to write one, but going to let that energy go into rereading the books.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. This is HUGE. I'm proud of you for obeying His call. It's encouraging to me. I look forward to seeing what other HUGE things God has in store of you!

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    1. I am, too, TC! It's gotten off to a slow start, but isn't that sometimes how God works? He wants us to take time, time to truly be with Him.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. It is always a blessing to take time to spend with the Lord, I pray that your time with Him is blessed, and that He does truly remarkable things in your heart and life! Praying for you dear friend, that the Lord opens your heart and makes it clear whatever His will and plan is for the next direction you need to take!

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words, Marilyn! Yes, I'm hoping and praying for such direction. Whether God answers yes or no, I'll go with His plans.
      Love and blessings!

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  14. I'm late to the party, but I hope you have a wonderful time away and that you are refreshed in all things! Really appreciate you, Martha. Your insights and encouragement are such a blessing to me (both here and the conversation at my site). Blessings to you!

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    1. Thank you, Jason, for your kind, kind words here. Know I appreciate you and your blog, too - you always give me insights and inspiration!
      Love and blessings!

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  15. Hi Martha! I pray you will have a refreshing, enlightening time as you seek God's will. I love how you believe HUGE things from God. I find I often forget His power and willingness to give us more than we ever ask or think. God bless you in writing another book! Hugs!

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    1. Thank you so much for coming by, Trudy, and leaving such encouragement here. Yes, I do believe that God can act in huge ways and often does. Don't know if this break will lead me forward in writing, but it's turned out to be just what I've needed in my life right now. I'll be back here soon!
      Love and blessings!

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