Tuesday, February 03, 2015

A Second Novel by Jennifer Slattery ~ they get better 'n better

All too often a debut novel will be Off-The-Charts-Good and then the next one might fizzle. . .not so with Jennifer Slattery's work.  

WHEN THE DAWN BREAKS is deeper still than her BEYOND I DO and that was a terrific book!




When Dawn Breaks:

As the hurricane forces Jacqueline to evacuate, her need for purpose and restitution propel her north to her estranged and embittered daughter and into the arms of a handsome new friend. However, he’s dealing with a potential conspiracy at work, one that could cost him everything, and Jacqueline isn’t sure if he will be the one she can lean on during the difficult days ahead. Then there are the three orphans to consider, especially Gavin. Must she relinquish her chance at having love again in order to be restored?

FROM JENNIFER>

If you have the faith to move mountains, He said. Ask and it will be given, He said. If you’ve been in church for any length of time, you’ve probably heard these verses enough times to recite them in your sleep.

But what happens when God appears to turn a deaf ear to our heart’s greatest cry?

I’ve been sick for a while now, receiving my first diagnosis in the fall of 2012. Since then, it seems my body’s been in a frequent state of revolt. There’ve been times I’ve chosen to revolt right along with it! I’ll stamp my foot, frown toward heaven, have long arguments with my Savior: If You’d only…

Followed by long periods of quiet, more peace-filled surrender.

That’s where I was about a month ago. Two and a half years into this journey called Chronic illness, I’d finally come to terms with my state. I was learning to adapt. To find joy in the new. To celebrate the good times and drawn ever-closer to Christ in the rough.

Until one day, a thought niggled: I should ask my Bible study group lay hands on me and pray for healing.

I quickly pushed the thought aside. Asking for prayer would mean being honest with the depth of my struggles. Moreover, they’d prayed for me many times, many still were. Besides, everyone had concerns and problems, after all. Why make mine the focus?

So I went on about my day, and the next, and the next. Until, about a week later, the thought returned. This time I mentioned it to my sweet husband, who responded, “I pray for you every day.”

So again I let it go.

Until the following Sunday when, just settling back into surrender, our pastor delivered a sermon on the James 5:13-17:

“Are any of you sick? You should call on the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well” (verses 5:14-15a NLT).

My pulse quickened as hope blossomed. This had to be from God, which meant, He planned to heal me!

Again, I told my husband, this time explaining all the events leading up to my conclusion.

He agreed. “I’ll send out an email to let everyone know.”

Smiling, I settled back in my seat and allowed myself to think of all the things I might do, once God made me 100% well. In short, my life would instantly return to the way it had been before.

The night of our next Bible study, I had a ministry meeting, so I arrived late. And nervous, not to mention extremely embarrassed. The moment I walked in, everyone grew quiet as all heads turned my way. My husband sprang to his feet and grabbed a chair, placing it in the center of the room. A sweet friend jumped up and dashed into her kitchen to get a dish of oil. And as my husband gently guided me to my chair, placing his strong, protective hands on my shoulders, everyone else gathered around me.

They prayed over me, my sweet friend anointing first my forehead then the backs of my hands with oil, her eyes filled with compassion while I sat, surrounded by my brothers and sisters in Christ. Tears poured down my cheeks as I heard them speak words of admiration and deep love. Some of them cried, too, as they beseeched our Heavenly Father on my behalf.

It was one of the most beautiful outpourings of Christian love I’ve experienced. I left that night completely humbled.

And more convinced than ever that my days of chronic illness were passed.

The following day, however, I was struck by a pain more intense than usual and unrelenting fatigue. A deep discouragement rode on its tails, the kind that comes from allowing your hopes to rise only to find them shattered once again.

Why, Lord? I cried. Why did You bring me on this journey? Why did You allow hope to blossom only to snatch it from me once again?

The answer came as quick, as clear, and as softly as that first thought, three weeks prior: I wanted you to experience their love for you.

I realized in that moment that was more beautiful than any healing I might have received. 


ABOUT JENNIFER ~



 Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, a publishing house passionate about bringing God’s healing grace and truth to the hopeless. She also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Café Devotions, and the group blog, Faith-filled Friends. When not writing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her teenage daughter and coffee dates with her handsome railroader husband.



FIND JENNIFER AT ~ 

Visit with Jennifer online at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud. 


JENNIFER'S BOOKS ~
Her debut novel, Beyond I Do, is currently on sale at Amazon for under $4 (print and kindle version)! You can get that here: http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-I-Do-Jennifer-Slattery-ebook/dp/B00MMRRCZU/

When Dawn Breaks Info ~ 


You can buy a copy here:


On Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-dawn-breaks-a-novel-jennifer-slattery/1120694122?ean=9781596694231

On CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/when-dawn-breaks-a-novel/jennifer-slattery/9781596694231/pd/694231

                  BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR JENNIFER
                              ~ May your journey be blessed~



5 comments:

Jennifer said...

That must have been great and hard at the same time. I've also learned that sometimes God wants to bless others also who do the praying and sometimes He wants me to blaze a trail so others won't be afraid to step out :)

Jennifer Slattery said...

It was, Jen. I love your comment! What a great perspective!

Jennifer Slattery said...

It was, Jen. I love your comment! What a great perspective!

Unknown said...

On my list to read! Can't wait!

journeystojoy.net said...

Hi, Holly - welcome to Journeys To Joy - you won't be sorry to get this book and see how Jennifer draws you into the story with her great - realistic - characters.

THank you for becoming a follower of Journeys To Joy tonight. Check out the website as well - memes are posted from some of my work.

Hugs and prayers!