I’m excited to host my good friend and fellow author, Candace West on today’s blog. She shares some spiritual insights into her new release, Dogwood Winter.
by Candace West
George Curtis and Ella Steen lead busy, productive lives until trouble halts the ordinary. Two people, opposite sides of the same coin, face the upheaval differently. One treads the fire through faith while the other kicks against the pricks. Have you been there?
How do they weather the storm? How do we?
Jesus tells us, “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Be of good cheer? Like Ella and George, we know it’s almost impossible to be of good cheer when life yanks that comfortable rug out from under us. Yet, when we slow down and prayerfully consider His words, it makes sense.
An old hymn expresses it best. “Then cheer, my brother, cheer. Our trials will soon be o’er…”
Cheer fills our heart when we look not at the near future, but at the things the Lord is preparing for us. He tells us, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Hold on, brothers and sisters, the overall picture is a beautiful promise, steadfast and sure.
What scripture cheers you?
EXCERPT FROM DOGWOOD WINTER
Doest thou well to be angry?
Squaring his shoulders, George cut a glance at Parson Crandall to see if he’d heard, but the man’s face seemed lost in his thoughts. And then George realized the words hadn’t been spoken aloud.
They had come from within.
His memory drifted to his favorite story from childhood. Jonah and the great fish. How many times had he sat on Da’s knee, listening with rapt attention to the tale of the prophet who ran from his calling and his God? The Lord had asked Jonah that question. Was God now asking him?
God hadn’t worked things the prophet’s way, and Jonah’s anger had driven him from the presence of the Lord. After hiding below deck in a ship, he’d been forced to give an account of his actions to the sailors. They’d thrown him overboard, and he’d been swallowed first by the waves of the sea, then the fish. Terrible circumstances. In the end, God brought about good.
But not before Jonah cried out to the God he’d forsaken.
Kneading his forehead with his fingers, George squelched a laugh. Although Parson Crandall promised not to talk scripture, God had made no such promise.
He couldn’t outrun God, whether in New York City or the deep hollows of the Arkansas Ozarks.
MEET CANDACE
Candace West was born in the Mississippi delta but grew up in small-town Arkansas. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Ever since the age of twelve, she dreamed of writing inspirational fiction. Over the years, she has published short stories as well as poems in various magazines. By weaving entertaining, page-turning stories, she hopes to share the Gospel and encourage her readers.
Grab your copy of Dogwood Winter (Amazon): https://scrivenings.link/dogwoodwinter
Available on Kindle, KU, and other booksellers.
Connect with me: www.candaceweststoryteller.com
www.facebook.com/inspirationalnovel
Follow on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/candace-west
Follow on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17901230.Candace_West
MORE INSPIRATIONAL NOVELS
Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie
Inspirational Historical Romance
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.
GIVEAWAY
Candace has graciously offered to give away an e-book copy of Dogwood Winter. Enter the Rafflecopter contest below and unlock more chances to win!
I look forward to seeing the leaves opening up on the trees .When the green starts showing up in the trees, I know Spring is coming.
Oh, me too, Barbara! Always good to see. Thanks for stopping by!
Yes, Barbara, spring is full of promises. When I see everything beginning to bloom, I’m reminded of God’s promises to renew us. I’m glad you dropped by! Blessings!
I love the sounds of the birds all happy singing away and I love the new growths of the plants coming up, the buds of the trees with the leaves getting ready to sprout.
Yes! I love those too, Alicia! Thanks for sharing. =)
Yes! I love to sit on our front porch and listen to the birds sing. I’m so glad you stopped by, Alicia! Blessings!
Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Thank you, Debra! God bless you too!
Thank you, Debra! May the Lord bless and keep you!
For me, it is seeing the first flowers and knowing spring is just around the corner.
Hi Cherie! Yes. Love tulips and the other early spring flowers.
I love the flowers too, especially roses and crêpe myrtles. Thank you for stopping by, Cherie! Blessings!
Spring isn’t as dramatic in California as in the Midwest, so I had to think about what happens around April or May. Orange Blossoms’ fragrance in our backyard. Sometimes birds build nests in our trees or bird house.
Hi Bonnie! I never thought of that. But orange blossoms and nesting birds are a nice reminder of spring! Thank you!
I’m sure it smells heavenly. And it’s always fun to find a nest in one of our trees and hear the baby birds. Thank you for commenting, Bonnie! Blessings!
Thank you so much for being a blessing, Cynthia! It’s an honor to be your guest!
Thank you! I’m happy to host you, Candace! =)