Today I have the immense pleasure of introducing Jessica R. Patch to you, my fabulous readers! Jessica is not only a good buddy, but a wonderful writer and today she’s popping in for a visit. Make sure to sign up for her newsletter to receive a FREE novella, Hope Under Mistletoe. It’s one I’ve read AND adored. So without further ado, here’s Jessica. . .
Do you ever feel the weight of responsibility? Like a truck is unloading a barrel of wet cement right on top of your shoulders. Things like:
Family
Children
Elderly parents/grandparents
Finances
Buying groceries
Work
Mowing grass
Cleaning house
Committee meetings
Deadlines
Potlucks
Ministry
Toting children to games/extracurricular activities
Insert responsibility here: ______________
One thing after another and we find our hearts sinking into the quicksand of too much too fast. Not to mention surprise catastrophes and worries that pile on top of responsibilities. Things like:
Medical issues
Cancer or (Insert sickness here)
Infertility
Natural disasters
Broken plumbing
Roof leaks
Death
Marital affairs
Divorce
Job loss
Car breaks down
Insurance goes up
Insert catastrophe here: _______________
It’s amazing we’re not all walking hunched over. In my novella, Hope Under Mistletoe, Eden Snow (the heroine) has a lot piling up on her plate. She’s a Christian, but she doesn’t seem to know quite how to just let it go. From her shoulders to His.
Here’s a little excerpt:
“Hey.” Audrey rested her hand on Eden’s shoulder. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”
“It’s not, Aud. It’s not!” She stormed off and jumped into her truck. Nothing was going right. Her father was stealing her sleep, the burned down church stole her joy, living in the parsonage was stealing her mind, a dumb teenager probably stole baby Jesus, and playboy Knox Everhart might be stealing her heart!
One thing that’s universal about romance novels is a hero and his broad shoulders. We love it, don’t we, ladies? The physique is nice, but the truth is broad shoulders represent strength. And no matter how independent we are (I’m all for independence) we still desire strength. Some help to carry the load.
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLT
We don’t have to carry the load on our shoulders. But Someone can. He came, the Word made flesh. If the government of the entire world rests on Jesus’ shoulders, then all of those cares and concerns you have can easily slide from yours to His.
No one can carry them like Jesus. No one has broad shoulders like Jesus. No one is more heroic and protective, loving or understanding as Jesus. Not a man in a novel, movie, or TV show.
It’s okay to let go. It’s okay to pour out how you feel. It’s okay to release the frustration. And admit you just can’t do it. You’re just too weak.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV
He cares. Throw it on Him! Don’t let pride keep you from it. Don’t hold back. He is your Wonderful Counselor. Your Mighty God. Your Everlasting Father and He is your Prince of Peace. Anybody need some peace? I thought so. Me too.
You can get through it. I can get through it. And we can do it by letting Christ do what He was born to do.
Name one thing you know you need to cast on Jesus, but for some reason can’t seem to do. I’ll be praying for each one of you. That God will help you overcome pride, fear, of whatever it is that may hinder you. And I’ll be praying He gives you the strength to cast that care on Him.
If you’d like to read Knox and Eden’s story in Hope Under Mistletoe, it’s FREE to all my newsletter subscribers. Simply visit HERE to sign up. Once you confirm your subscription to my newsletter, you’ll receive a welcome letter with a Kindle or PDF link. Click on whichever you prefer and Voila! It’s all yours.
Also, check out my Hope Under Mistletoe Pinterest page and snoop around town, see who I cast as the characters and enjoy some of the book scenes!
Jessica R. Patch writes inspirational romantic suspense and contemporary romance. A passion to draw women into intimacy with God keeps her motivated, along with ice-cold Perrier and adventurous trips in the name of research. When she’s not hunched over her laptop or teaching the new & growing believer’s class at her church, you can find her sneaking off to movies with her husband, embarrassing her daughter in unique ways, dominating her son at board games, and collecting recipes to wonderful dishes she’ll probably never cook. She is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.
You can connect with Jessica on: Facebook, Twitter @jessicarpatch, and her BLOG
Hope Under Mistletoe
A rowdy bar owner. A widowed pastor’s wife. And Christmas Hope that brings them together.
After widower Eden Snow’s church almost burns to the ground, she’s compelled to find a temporary place to hold services and Christmas cantata practices.
Has-been hockey player, Knox Everhart, has a reputation for being fast on the ice and with women. Except Eden. She’s always been a fascinating mystery to him, which is why he agrees to let her use the back room of his bar—with one rule: No converting his customers.
But when Eden brings the church to the bar, it offers something the bottle can’t. Hope. And he finds himself falling in love with a woman and a Savior he feels unworthy to pursue.