Please welcome this weeks guest Susan J. Reinhardt for The Journey. She answers the question: How have you seen God work in your writing journey?
Man’s Ideas vs. God’s Plan
“Your writing is good, but this book will never be published.”
These were not words I wanted to hear. After eight long years working on The Moses Conspiracy and honing my skills, they represented the ultimate rejection.
I seriously considered going the self-publishing route, but there was no peace in my heart. One day, I prayed about the situation. It went something like this:
“Father, I believe with all my heart You want this book published. I’ve done everything I know to do – polished my skills, gone to conferences, written a second book, and built my platform. I don’t know what to do next. Please direct my footsteps.”
No lightning struck, no voice boomed from heaven, so I kept doing what I knew was right and improving my skills.
A few months later, I attended a Christian concert at a friend’s church. The singing group had visited my church many times when I was growing up. Thinking this was a nostalgia thing, I was taken by surprise when God brought the answer to my prayer.
One of the singers, known for his powerful preaching, felt led by the Lord to share their testimony. In the early days of their ministry, they came to a place of quitting. As they drove home from a concert date, they knew it was over.
Someone began singing in the car, “God will make a way where there seems to be no way…” One by one, they all took up the refrain. He said they sang their way back into the ministry. Each member of the group said they did not start the song. They still believe an angel brought the encouragement they so desperately needed.
I sat there and cried, no sobbed, through the whole message. It was like the Lord was speaking directly to me. Nothing changed in the remaining months of 2012. Rejections piled high, but always that song rang in my heart: “God will make a way…”
Someone at work gave me a lovely journal at Christmas. The first day of the New Year, I stared at a blank page. What would this year hold for my writing?
Two weeks later, I received an email from an author friend, Kathi Macias. She asked me if I’d contacted a certain publisher. I hadn’t, but I was making inquiries into a self-publishing company even though I wasn’t overjoyed.
With her assistance, I connected with Helping Hands Press, a small, royalty publisher. Within two weeks, I’d signed contracts with Joyce Hart, of Hartline Literary Agency and Helping Hands Press.
A whirlwind of activity culminated in the release of my debut novel, The Moses Conspiracy, as an e-book. In May 2013, the print version came out.
God made a way to publication. Men said it was impossible, but He had other ideas. To Him be the glory.
Bio:
Susan J. Reinhardt’s publishing credits include her debut novel, The Moses Conspiracy, as well as devotionals, short articles, and contributions to anthologies. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
A widow, daughter, stepmom, and active church member, Susan resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, couponing, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops.
Hi Kristena –
Thanks for having me on your blog this week. I’m doubly excited because my publisher announced that my second book, The Scent of Fear, will release within a few days. God has truly blessed me, and I pray my story will encourage your readers.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Susan, that is awesome. Congrats on your next book coming out. You are right, God has blessed you tremendously. I pray the same thing and I know God will use it to do just that. 🙂
What an amazing story, Kristena. There’s tons of encouragement in your story and I know there’s always hope for my books, also. God bless you!
Jean Ann, Susan’s journey really is so encouraging and does give hope to all of us who are still unpublished.
Susan, your writing journey has been a blessing and inspiration to me. Thanks for persevering through it all!
Kristena, thanks for hosting. It’s great to meet you!
Karen, I’m feel blessed to have each of these people who came on and share their journeys with all of us. And it’s great to meet you, too.
Hi Karen – Thank you! To God be the glory. Great things He has done.
Truly inspirational!
Hi Patti – It’s a privilege to share what God has done in my life. Thanks for your kind words.
Hi Jean Ann – I’m glad my story encouraged you. As I said to Kristena, this is only one small incident from eight years. It’s truly been a journey of God’s faithfulness. Blessings, Susan 🙂
Great post. Thanks for sharing your testimony with us Susan!
Hi Amber – I love to share what God has done during my writing journey. He’s so faithful!
I love it, Susan! God brings what we need when we need it. Never early but never late. And how sweet it is when it arrives.
Amen, P.T. That bit of, “keep on keeping on,” carried me through many rejections in 2012.
Susan, thank you for sharing your story. I love reading how God meets us in these low moments and gives what we need to keep going. It shows how intimately He knows us, the way and the when of His touch. Good for you, persevering like this, and congratulations on novels 1 and 2!
Thanks, Janet! I marvel how He puts us in the path of those, who have a word straight from His heart.
Yes, and it’s often a word that zings directly to our hearts from His, where someone standing beside us totally misses it. At least until we start to laugh or cry 🙂
I cried through the whole testimony. Afterward, I was able to share with them how the Lord used their words to encourage me. When The Moses Conspiracy came out, I contacted the group and shared my joy. I think it’s important to let people know when God has used them to help a sister or brother.