Facing Tough Decisions

I’m often asked, “How did you not cave to the pressure last summer when your publisher threatened to cancel your book if you didn’t make their requested changes?”

In short? God started preparing me for that challenge a year before that day came (when my novel Colors of Truth was ultimately cancelled).

It’s not something I’m proud to admit (to confess), but it’s a forever lesson God engraved on my heart. A lesson that not only shaped the foundation for the novel I was writing at the time—Colors of Truth—but that has forever changed me.

I recently shared this experience with Karen Ball and Erin Taylor Young from Write from the Deep. Amid lots of laughter and also some fairly sober moments, we talk about authenticity and about how important it is to tell the truth and keep your word. Because God is Truth, and he demands that his children be people of Truth.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST ON Write from the Deep

I invite you to listen to the podcast (or read the transcript) here. This link will open a new window so you can easily hop back over here and leave a comment on this blog post, if you wish.

But a quick caution . . .

After listening to the podcast, you may well be disappointed in me. And, if you are, I’ll understand. I was greatly disappointed in myself.

But I also think you’ll see how God was preparing me for that moment of decision that was coming a year later when I would be asked to rewrite Colors of Truth to be better received by this current culture we’re living in.

Was saying no to my publisher’s request easy? In a way, yes! Because the God of Truth had already dealt with me about telling the truth, about not lying. But in another way, no. Because standing by my convictions meant severing ties with a publisher I’d enjoyed working with in the past. It also meant they were cancelling my next book (the third book in the Carnton series) as well.

CHECK OUT Colors of Truth

Yet this experience also gave me the opportunity to publish a novel on my own, something I’d been considering doing. And though I was filled with uncertainty as to what the outcome would be, you (my readers) received this novel with great enthusiasm. And I’m so grateful to you for that, and for your kind words of encouragement as Colors of Truth came to print. They made all the difference!

So . . . though this is a personal question for sure, what is a defining moment in your life where God lovingly but firmly taught you a lesson you needed to learn? And notice I didn’t ask, “Have you had a defining moment in your life…”

Because if you’re a follower of Christ, I know for certain you’ve had those moments (and I’ve had many!). Because while God loves us “while we are yet sinners,” his grace and mercy refuses to leave us in our sin, in the kingdom of darkness. He changes us and makes us holy, like himself. Thank you, Lord! #Sanctification

You don’t have to share the details of your experience. But a simple “Oh yes, and this is what God taught me about himself” would be terrific!

Love you all dearly,

Tammy

And look at this?!! Our own Deb Raney has a new book out!

CONGRATS, MISS DEB!

Check out BRIDGES today! I highly recommend it (as you can see)!