I’m thrilled to have fellow Scrivenings Press author, Lori DeJong join us today, sharing about her new release, Love’s True Calling.  PLUS, she’s giving away a PRINT COPY of her book, so stick around to the end!

I’m a people-pleaser. I always have been. It’s something I work on and pray about to this day. Because I’ve learned over the years that when I’m so focused on pleasing others, it’s honestly all about me. I always told myself I wanted to please others so that they would feel good, so their expectations would be met, so I could meet a need they had.

But the bottom line? I was looking for affirmation. For a kind word or a compliment directed my way. For someone to lift me up because they were pleased with what I’d done, or what I’d said, or even what I’d written. And what would happen if I didn’t get it?

I’d lose my peace, my confidence, my sense of who I really was.

Maybe that’s why the scriptures have so much to say about Who we should be living to please.

Paul in Galatians 1:10 says, If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Colossians 3:23 tells us to Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

I Thessalonians 2:4, Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

PUTTING MY FOCUS ON GOD

When my focus is on God, I’m a better wife, better mom, better daughter, friend, employee. I’m more kind, more gentle, more patient. Not that everybody is happy with me all the time. But that’s not up to me. I just need to let go and let God do the work in that person or relationship.

Harper in my debut release, Love’s True Calling, has always been very much a people-pleaser. Raised by parents who measured success by grades, status, salary, etc., she never felt she measured up, no matter how hard she tried.

But as a new Christian, she learns about living to please God. And that while not everybody will be happy with her choices, God will supply what she needs. Here’s a snippet from the book after she tells her parents she’s been called to ministry.

BOOK EXCERPT

Her parents exchanged a grim look before her mother turned back. “I don’t know what to say if this is your final decision. But we can’t support you in it.” She stood, and Dad followed. “I only hope you come to your senses before you find yourself floundering again because you have no career foundation.”

Harper pulled her shoulders back and willed calmness into her voice. “I understand. But I have to do what I believe with all my soul God is calling me to do.”

And at that moment, every last shred of unease and doubt fell away. As if she’d only needed to confess it out loud, in the face of objection from the two people she most wanted to please on this earth, for the truth to take root. For her courage to show up.

If we keep God as our focus, He’ll do the rest.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Lori DeJong is a contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith. She resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two fur-babies and is the mother of one grown daughter. Love’s True Calling is the 2022 winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance. Book Two of the “True Calling” series, Love’s True Home, will be released in June 2024, and Book Three, Love’s True Measure, in June 2025 (Scrivenings Press).

Website: https://loridejongwrites.com/
Newsletter:  https://bit.ly/LoriDeJongCommunity
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/loridejongwrites
Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lori-dejong
Purchase link for Love’s True Calling:  https://scrivenings.link/lovestruecalling

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