People have asked me why I don’t write fluffier stories–not that they’re complaining, mind you! The easiest answer: that’s not what is on my heart.

My books always connect to a need I see in the community. I see brokenness, and I often see people responding poorly to that brokenness because they can’t imagine how it would feel. So I write to shine a light on those issues in a way that hopefully brings understanding and compassion. Empathy. And my books always point to the giver of hope–Jesus.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (italics emphasis mine)

ESV

One of the most powerful things you can do for another is to validate their situation and pain by coming alongside them and just listening, maybe cry with them, and pray. Make sure they know they aren’t forgotten.

Mostly,though, I write about hard things because we all face them. In our lives, our loved one’s lives–things can be…well…hard. Sometimes even traumatic. And I want people to know their trials aren’t being overlooked. That they aren’t alone. Even though they might be facing the unimaginable, God still loves them. And if they belong to God through Jesus, He can make something beautiful out of those hard things. Nothing is wasted with Jesus. Your struggle can have meaning, and it can be used to touch lives and bring healing to them–and to you.

Is there someone on your heart right now you need to encourage? A few simple lines in a note, an email, or even a text can make all the difference in the world to them.