Today I’m thrilled to have fellow MRP author, Hope Dougherty, as my guest. Hope writes Christian suspense romance novels. In the following post, she shares about the message woven into her new release, Rescued Hearts, in a very personal way.
**Hope has graciously offered to give away a copy of her book, so be sure to stick around until the end to enter!
The message in Rescued Hearts is based on Jeremiah 29:11: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” The main character, Mary Wade Kimball, is a children’s clothing designer who comes from a family of preachers and missionaries and church ladies who want her to join the family business, so to speak. She thinks they’re waiting for her to fail at designing so that she can follow God’s path, in other words, their path for her.
This scenario might seem extreme to some, but I’ve met people who think the only real work is with the church. They don’t exactly frown on other vocations, but they don’t applaud them either. For a hurting world to be reached, however, Christians need to be everywhere, helping to spread the Good News of God’s love.
I’m reminded of the scene in Rescued Hearts when Mary Wade discounts her business by comparing it to her aunt’s life-long missionary work in China and to Brett who’s a deputy. She thinks those jobs are more important than hers. Brett validates her career by explaining her designing brings beauty into the world. He continues with, “You don’t ruin it like people in my line of work.”
The verse from Jeremiah really resonates with me right now. Two of my children are second lieutenants in the US Army. One majored in Chinese in college. China is a neighbor to North Korea which is in the news almost every day and not for good reasons. My other son majored in Arabic—the language of the Middle East, which brings to mind Syria and Isis and the Taliban.
Oh, my.
People ask me, “How do you feel about the boys being in the Army?” My response comes from Jeremiah 29:11. I’m living God’s plan for me, so I want my sons to live God’s plan for them. They feel called to what they’re doing, so I trust in the One who loved them before I did.
Both my sons are strong witnesses for God among people who need His strength and wisdom and love. The safest and best place for all of us to be is right in the middle of God’s will. Don’t you agree?
Connect with Hope:
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Twitter @HopeTDougherty
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Connect with Cynthia on Facebook and Twitter. Read more of her writing at: Putting on the New Blog.
Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia’s characters in her debut novel, UNDER THIS SAME SKY, available in both e-book and print at Amazon.com
Now’s your chance to enter to win a print copy of Rescued Hearts!! Leave a comment to unlock more chances to win!
That verse in Jeremiah came to me when my husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer, he has had one removed and seems ok, Christians are often called to work in secular jobs, blessings.
I love how God sends the perfect verse to us just when we need it. Thank you for stopping by the blog today, Ann! Glad your husband is doing well!
Thanks Hope 😁
Thanks for sharing, Ann. I agree. The Lord needs His people in all walks of life. Prayers for Jim!
We don’t really have any besides going around and everyone saying something we are Thankful for
We enjoy that same tradition! It’s always great to hear how the Lord has blessed each other throughout the year. Thanks for sharing, Linda!
After all our extended family goes home and it’s just the six of us, we break out the leftovers and watch It’s a Wonderful Life. That’s how we begin the Christmas season.
I love having our extended family over for Thanksgiving dinner. We’ve hosted Thanksgiving for quite a few years now and love having everyone together.
That’s wonderful, Mindy! I’ve only hosted once. It’s a lot of work, but truly a blessing! Thanks for sharing your joy!
Thanksgiving is always at our house, too. I love it for the cooking part but not the cleaning part! I usually cook all day on Wednesday to prepare. This year we might have close to 25. so much fun!
Thanksgiving is special family time with lots of holiday favorite foods. We have a large family and it is always loud and fun to get together and be thankful for all that we have been blessed with…especially the family that God placed us in. I enjoyed the blog. Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite and Rescued Hearts is on my wish list.
Amen, Gloria! It sounds like you have some wonderful family traditions. So glad you stopped by and shared! The best to you in the contest! Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite of mine as well!
Gloria, I’m already getting requests for specific foods to show up at some point during the long weekend, not just on Thanksgiving. Checking off my to-do lists!
Just the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
You’re so welcome, Perrianne! Traditional Thanksgivings are great! Blessings to you and yours! Thanks for stopping by and entering!
Cooking with family
A wonderful tradition. And it goes great with eating!! =) Thanks for stopping by, Jenny!
Cooking…family…two of my favorite things!! I love this season!