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 ~
Read a free, 36-page excerpt here: http://issuu.com/newhopedigital/docs/slattery_sampler/1
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:
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 :)
It was, Jen. I love your comment! What a great perspective!
It was, Jen. I love your comment! What a great perspective!
On my list to read! Can't wait!
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!
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