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As some of you may know, in addition to romantic suspense, I also write devotionals. Three years ago, I put together a proposal for a book with the above title. I sent it to one of my favorite editors, but he couldn’t use it. Just as I began the research of other possible markets, A Murder Among Friends sold, and my devotional writing took a back seat for a bit.
Here’s the basic description of the book.
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Hectic. Frenzied. Overwhelming. These are all words women use to describe their daily lives. No matter what their circumstances, most women go from dawn to dusk, rushing through the day as they take care of their families, their work, and their church. A day consumed with sports, school, and career demands leaves little time for women to nourish their minds or their spirits. Now, with these devotionals, they can spend 15 minutes after the sun is down and the household is silent taking care of themselves—and their souls.
Nighttime. Whether it creates a vision of solace or loneliness, night surrounds us with a quiet provided by God. When He separated day from night, He gave us a time of rest, reassurance, and renewal. Women can bring their problems to God for comfort—or just take a quick breather in His presence. Whether they need the reassurance of God’s love—or they just can’t sleep—these words will guide them to a place of peace. They are words for the heart of a woman, which will lead to prayers for the heart of God.
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I want to share samples from the proposal with you, which I’ll post on the first Wednesday of September, October, and November.
I hope you like them.
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Appearance: Our Inner Reflection
People judge by outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
“Two pounds! That’s all?” Frustration twisted the mouth of the young woman. “I’ve worked like a dog for two weeks, and I’ve only lost two pounds!”
Her personal trainer tried to be encouraging. I tried not to eavesdrop. Not out of any respect for their privacy; they were, after all, standing in the middle of the local fitness club for women.
I tried to ignore them because I, too, shared her frustration. For the past ten days, my diet had been severe and my workouts fierce. I had swallowed at least a gallon of water a day. But so far the only thing I had to show for it were slightly skinnier wrists and shooting pains in muscles I’d long forgotten existed.
My mother’s form of support didn’t help. “Well, dear, it took you almost fifty years to put all that on. It’s not going to come off overnight.” Neither did the articles on the gym bulletin board, explaining why it’s so difficult for women over forty to lose weight.
Hmph. I personally thought a goal of losing 20 pounds in six weeks was rather reasonable. Not to mention the fact that at the end of that six weeks, I was headed for Los Angeles, home of the beautiful…and the skinny.
Frustration, however, was the emotion of the morning, as I stepped up on the treadmill in order to work off the same number of calories in only a nice, juicy apple. Now, sitting in my swing, looking at the stars, a touch of perspective settles over me.
Why am I trying to measure up to an impossible human standard? I wondered what God thought about our obsession with our looks. Would He be pleased that we were taking care of our temple (1 Cor. 3:16) or disappointed that we were focusing so much on the superficial (1 Sam. 16:7)?
I can’t help but think it might be a little of both. Several of the women in the Bible are described as beautiful, and Esther’s beauty regimen took many months to complete. Good health is also mentioned throughout Scripture—even physical exercise (1 Tim. 4:8)! I believe God wants us to take care of our physical health to the best of our ability, but the bottom line is how well we take care of our inner health.
As Peter pointed out, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God (1 Pet. 3:3-4, NKJV).
Prayer Starter:
Lord, let me kept my focus on you and what you want for my life, not on what the world tries to demand of me. Guide me, and open those doors that will show me your will. Amen.
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