For the Mess Ups

boatsHey, you.

Yeah, you.

The one over there, who thinks you’ve messed up too big or too often. Surely God doesn’t want you anymore, if He ever did to begin with.

I have a story for you.

It’s about a man named Peter.

Gotta love Peter. Fearless, impulsive, on-fire-for-Jesus Peter. I’ll-never-deny-you, no-not-me Peter.

He left behind the life he knew (fishing) to follow the One who gave His life so God could be known.

So you can imagine, when Jesus told Peter during supper one night that he would deny him, what Peter’s response was. A passionate, “No way!” 

Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!”

Bold words for a bold man. And yet….

Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying–I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind…And he broke down and wept.

Despite Peter’s claim, despite living and eating and walking with Jesus for years, Peter messed up. Big time messed up. Pretended-not-to-even-know-Jesus messed up.

And you want to know what Peter did after he failed so royally?

He went back to the life he had BEFORE.

Before Jesus came and rocked his world.

Before Jesus showed up and invited Peter to become a fisher of men.

Never mind that invitation. Surely it had expired.

Peter started fishing for regular old fish again. 

Because how could he be used for the Kingdom now?  

He was a mess up.

And here’s where the story gets good. Like, sit-up-and-pay-attention good.

You want to know what Jesus did?

He came after Peter.

It’s one of the things I love most about Jesus.

He doesn’t leave us in our messed up state.

He comes after us.

Peter went fishing for fish, and Jesus went fishing for Peter.

Jesus found him and He told him, “Feed my sheep.”

No more fishing, Peter. Put away your fishing ways.

Feed my sheep.

Kingdom work. 

You know what Peter went on to do? He established the Church! 

Friends, nobody is too messed for God to use. 

Nobody is too messed up that Jesus won’t come after them. (<–click to tweet)

Not you.

Not me.

It’s a story worth remembering.

Let’s Talk: Have you ever thought that God could no longer use you because you messed up too big or too much? 

A Review in Pictures & What’s on the Horizon

Over the past several years, I’ve has fun summarizing the previous year using one word and predicting what the next year’s word will be.

Here’s a brief recap….

2009’s One Word Summary: Growth

I started doing this in January of 2010, which means I didn’t have a prediction for 2009. Just a summary. And with all the growing I did as a Christian and as a writer, I’d say that fits the bill.

2010’s One Word Summary: Surrender

Jokingly, I predicted that 2010 would be my year for Victory. Ended up being a year of surrender. Gotta love the irony there.

2011’s One Word Summary: Trust

2011’s prediction was Anticipation, since I had just signed a two-book deal with Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Throughout the course of the year, I not only quit my day job, Ryan and I said yes to adoption, both of which required a lot of trust.

2012’s One Word Summary: Grateful

2012’s prediction was Change, since I became a work-at-home mom and assumed we’d be bringing our Congolese son or daughter home at some point that year (oh Katie, you were so naive). Even though that didn’t happen, it was a year of many blessings–both tangible and intangible.  

2013’s One Word Prediction: Surprises

Let’s see. Major highlights. 

In 2013, Ryan and I accepted a referral for a little girl. That was in February. We thought she’d be home by the summer. But then Congo adoptions turned upside down and we watched from afar as timelines were extended and government departments shut down. Our Congolese Cutie officially became a Ganshert in July, but as of right now, we have no idea when she will come home. 

In 2013, I traveled to Congo twice. Once in April for a humanitarian trip. Again in November to spend time with my daughter.

Salima Ganshert 2

Salima Ganshert 3

me and salima

In 2013, I saw an outpouring of God’s provision like none I have ever seen before. Kelli Standish’s flash mob made my 2nd trip to the Congo possible and it had God’s fingerprints all over it. 

In 2013, my second book, Wishing on Willows, hit book stores.

wishing on willows shelves

In 2013, my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, was nominated for a Christy and won a Carol! 

Christy nom

Carol win

In 2013, I signed another 2-book deal with Waterbrook Multnomah, and wrote a novella for Zondervan’s A Year of Weddings novella collection.

In 2013, my son’s life became increasingly miraculous. Yearning for a child has a way of making you appreciate the one you have in a profound way.

DSC_0488

If I had to sum up the year in one word, it would be….

Surprises

Because the shoe fits…

If you would have told me last year that we’d somehow have the money for me to fly to Congo TWICE, I would have laughed.

If you would have told me last year that I  would be nominated for a Christy or win a Carol, I would have laughed.

If you would have told me last year that we still would not have our daughter home, I would have laughed.

The year was filled with surprises–some amazing, some not. But surprises nonetheless.

So what’s my one word prediction for 2014?

I have no idea.

In fact, I’m going to stop making predictions.

Here is what I do know…

I’ll spend these next two months in a writing cave, finishing my fourth novel.

My third novel, A Broken Kind of Beautiful, will release this April (I am so beyond excited to share this story).

A Broken Kind of Beautiful

My first novella, An October Bride, will release in….well, October. (I’m pretty excited about this one too.)

An October Bride

Our daughter could come home, or she might not.

There will be days when I can handle the wait and days when I can’t. 

Brogan will start kindergarten (what?!?!)

I will give my husband lots of kisses and my son lots of cuddles. We’ll probably do some bickering and I’ll probably lose my patience. I will do some writing, some playing, some laughing, some crying. And lots and lots of praying.

Happy 2014, from me to you!

Let’s Talk: How’s 2014 looking for you? Any big highlights to share from 2013?

Merry Christmas, Dear Readers!

merry christmasIt’s hard to believe this is my last blog post of 2013. 

Where does the time go?

I want to say a hearty thank you to all the people who signed up for my Welcome Note and Devo! Last night, I used random.org to select a name from my welcome note list. So without further ado, the winner of a signed copy of Wildflowers from Winter and Wishing on Willows is…..

Alicia Unger!

Congrats, Alicia!

For another chance to win, head over to my Facebook author page and help me name the town in my 4th novel!

Thank you readers, for all your support and encouragement. Connecting with you is one of the highlights of being an author.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas filled with comfort and joy. 

And for those who find themselves in a place of hurt or longing, for you….

I pray that God, THE source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the holy spirit. ~Romans 15:13

Join me in 2014 and stay tuned for an invitation to be a part of the launch team for A Broken Kind of Beautiful!

Oh – and don’t forget to enter the Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway. The contest closes soon!