Author: Katie Ganshert

I write Christian romance and my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, releases in May, 2012 through Waterbrook Press (a division of Random House).

It’s All Extra

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

In church on Saturday evening, I sang these words…

Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bow to none but heavens will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer’s crown
No burden great can hold you down
In strength you reign
Forever let your church proclaim

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

And the only thing I could think was that it’s all extra.

In light of the cross and His obedience and the empty tomb and the torn veil…

All the rest is like this really amazing, but unnecessary bonus.

My husband and my son. Our house. Ryan’s job. Our health and our church, family and friends and my writing career.

It’s all just extra. 

Because what Christ did on that cross? That is everything.

He defeated death.

He broke the chains and offered redemption for all that is broken and lost.

People most especially.

So often we think we need, or God forgive us, deserve something more.

Like a spouse or a child or a book deal or a promotion or a certain level of comfort and prosperity.

But man….

I know this sounds cliche and all kinds of cheesy, but the only thing we really need–the one thing we certainly don’t deserve–is Him and that empty tomb.

That is life and joy and freedom.

Everything else–every good and perfect (or perfecting) gift–is simply proof of His generosity.

Oh Lord, that You would plant this truth in our hearts. May we come awake.

Let’s Talk: Do you ever fall into the trap of thinking God is holding things back from you?  

Finding the Time

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

When people find out I’m an author and I write novels, they usually want to know how in the world I have the time.

I mean, I have a kid at home. I have a husband. We’re adopting (which is a time-consuming endeavor). I’m involved at church. 

When do I have the time to sit down and write words?

Beth Vogt wrote a post a few weeks ago that featured a quote from Lucille Ball. “I think knowing what you cannot do is more important than knowing what you can.” And the post completely resonated. 

Because THIS is why I have time.

There are so many things non-writing mama’s probably do that I just…..don’t.

I don’t iron.

I don’t garden.

I don’t dust unless absolutely necessary.

I don’t scrapbook.

I don’t volunteer at my son’s preschool.

I don’t do MOPS or other mommy-groups. 

I don’t buy new blinds for my son’s room even though his have been broken for two months.

I don’t garage sale or refinish furniture or cook gourmet meals or go all-natural. We’re all about preservatives in this household.

I don’t keep a meticulous home or do cross fit (all the rage, I hear) or paint my nails or watch TV. 

I do laugh and play with my child. I do love on my husband. I do make family dinners (even if it’s only grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and oven-cooked french fries). I do spend time with God. I do socialize on occasion. I do keep my house livable. 

Realizing all the things I cannot do and accepting these limitations is why I can write novels. 

Let’s Talk: What are some things you choose not to do? What do you do in place of them?

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Friday Favorites

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Chin-Grabbers for Everyone: 

  • 10 Almost Reasons Why We’re Adopting by Kathy Buchanan

    I met Kathy in person recently and she’s wonderful. She and her husband are also adopting from Africa, so we made an immediate connection. A lot of their reasons for adopting are the same as ours.

    I love adoption blogs. So if there are any that you frequent, pretty please share a link in the comment section! 

  • The Things I Never Thought I’d Say by Kathy Buchanan.

    This post made me laugh on a day I really appreciated the laughter. Oh, the joys of parenthood. Our children can make us say some pretty bizarre things!

  • Do You Trust Me? No Really….Do You Trust Me? by Sarah Forgrave

    It’s so easy to pay God lip-service and say we trust Him, but do we really? Sarah gets to the practicality of the matter. What does trusting God really look like?

  • How I Got My Life Verse by Lindsay Harrel

    I love how God can meet a worried writer in the basement of a hotel. I think Lindsay’s life verse is one all of us could live by, regardless of profession or passion.  

  • Take a Trip with Jen Hatmaker

    Jen is one of my all-time favorite bloggers ever to grace the blogging world. Her posts always manage to be hilarious and poignant all at the same time. Anyway, she and several others are traveling to Haiti to love on the Haitian people. Here’s an opportunity for you to make a difference! 

Chin-Grabbers for Writers:

  • Making an Emotional Connection by Joe Moore on KillZone.

    If you’re readers are emotionally detached from your characters, then they are going to have a hard time turning those pages. Here are several practical tips for making your readers emotionally invested. 

  • Social Media Critiques Part 3 by Amanda Luedeke.

    When we think about critiques, we often think about our writing. But what if somebody could critique your cyber home? I found Amanda’s critiques interesting, informative, and they had me reflecting on my own website. 

 Let’s Talk: Any cares, concerns, or celebrations from the week? Have any blog posts or articles grabbed your attention?

Recently, I’ve been so gripped by God’s redemption. How He can take all our scars and hurts and ugly spots and produce something beautiful. It’s as if He’s pressing that powerful truth against my heart, whispering, “This is so important, Katie. For so many.”  If this is a message that speaks to your heart or makes your soul thirst, consider checking out the first three chapters of Wildflowers from Winter, or take a look at the amazing real-life stories of redemption in the Wildflowers from Winter blog tour.

If I haven’t already sent you a welcome packet, I would be delighted to do so! To sign up, just click on the button up top.