Welcome Back Carol James

One of the best things about being part of Pelican Book Group (PBG) is getting to know other Christian authors. This week, I’m pleased to welcome back Carol James, a fellow author at PBG. She’s been an encouragement to me in my writing. I’ve enjoyed several of Carol’s books, and I’m excited she’s here to share with you today.  She’s has a devotional to share, as well as an introduction to her new Christmas novella, Christmas Lights and Moonlit Nights. You can find my review at the end of the post.

Finding a Way in the Wilderness

by Carol James      

             When I was a teenager, much emphasis, and rightly so, was placed on finding God’s will for my life. I had this idea that life was like a puzzle. Once you got all the pieces in their right places, a beautiful picture would emerge, illustrating what lay ahead.

            Are you laughing at my naiveté? I wouldn’t blame you. My life has been nothing like a completed puzzle. Even now, I’m still discovering puzzle pieces to add, empty places to fill. I’ve sold clothing, furniture, laboratory equipment, smocked and sold baby bonnets.

            I became a teacher, not because I loved education, but because teaching would allow me to have a work schedule that was very similar to my children’s. So I would be available when they were available.

            I came to love teaching, though…the ideas, the developing personalities of my students, the creativity that allowed me to see the world through the eyes of my kindergartners. I thought the puzzle of my life was completed, but then I noticed some holes left for pieces not yet known.

            We had a family crisis, and I ended up having to leave teaching, trusting God had something new for me.

            One morning I was reading through some chapters in Isaiah, and I came across a couple of verses I had never noticed before.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

            One of my students’ parents offered me a job working in the international sales department of his business. My new boss wrote as a hobby and urged me to give writing a try. And once I started, I knew this was my “new thing.”

            For some people God’s will creeps in quietly. For others it rushes in with surety and consistency. No doubts. In Christmas Lights and Moonlit Nights, Jed Price, the hero, is one of those people who has no doubts about his chosen life.

            He’d known from high school that he was being called to live his life as a Navy SEAL. To serve his Heavenly Father by serving his country and his fellow citizens. To lay down his life for others if necessary.

            He understands that consequences come with his choice. He believes the demands of his schedule and job are not conducive to family life and is willing to sacrifice having a wife and family to fulfill God’s will for his life.

            But while he thought his puzzle was complete, he discovers some of the pieces are missing. God has something else planned for him. But he has to come to the point of releasing his suppositions to find God’s perfect will for his life.

            Most of us know that finding the Lord’s will for our lives is not a onetime thing…as I thought when I was a teenager. God is constantly looking for and using those who are willing. No matter what our ages or stages in life, we are never beyond His will.

            If you’re going through a rough spot right now (and if you’re not yet, you will at some time). Just remember The One Who makes ways in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland is waiting to guide you. To help you fill in those puzzle pieces.

Thanks so much, Carol! This is such a relatable story. I’ve had several twists and turns in my life that I didn’t predict, but God knows the end from the beginning, as it says a few chapters later in Isaiah! 

Readers, keep reading to learn more about Christmas Lights and Moonlit Nights.

All Leah Davidson wants is to spend a quiet Christmas with her parents on Palm Island. Her father’ s recovering from surgery, so she’ s volunteered to take over his decorating responsibilities. Plus, it’ s a good excuse to get away from her ex. But then she discovers her neighbors have a Christmas visitor, too. One she has a history with.

Navy SEAL Jed Price Is spending Christmas with his aunt and uncle on Palm Island. He wants a relaxing time away from the pressures of his work, and the secluded island seems like the perfect escape. Until he sees his aunt and uncle’ s neighbor.

Jed remembers Leah as the snobby girl next door, and Leah remembers Jed as the immature boy who was afraid of the water. But they’ ve both changed.

Can Leah and Jed move past their earlier issues and work together to make Christmas a joyous time of love and forgiveness?

You can find Carol at the following hangouts online, and also find the links to purchase her latest story. 

Carol’s Website: CAROL JAMES – Home

Facebook: http://facebook.com/CarolJamesAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroljamesauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolJamesAuth

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19149238.Carol_James

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carol-james

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3duHqKc

Newsletter Signup: https://www.carol-james.com/staying-in-touch.html

Book Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Lights-Moonlit-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B0DFD365Q5  

Pelican: https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_41&products_id=1693 

Readers, Carol’s book is on sale for only 99 cents at the Pelican link above. All the Pelican Christmas Extravaganza books (including mine!) are on sale for only 99 cents!

 All the Christmas Extravaganza books can be found here:

https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=68_41