This week, I’m pleased to introduce you to Kathleen Neely, a fellow author at Pelican Book Group. I’ve read most of her books, and they are wonderful. She’s here to share a devotional, and she also has a new release! You’ll find my reviews of her books at the end of the post.

 When You Feel Like Job

Have you ever had that season in life when everything starts to fall apart at the same time? My season came when a foot injury interrupted my paid-in-full-non-refundable writers’ conference. That occurred immediately after losing a book contract when the publishing company folded.

I couldn’t sleep as I nursed my foot and my feelings. I decided I was done with writing, done with traveling, and done with doctors. It was my middle-of-the-night pity party. I felt like Job, but showed no resemblance to him. He said, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 

I wasn’t ready to voice that. Yet even in my self-absorbed rebellion, I knew that was a problem. So, I opened scripture to look for His promise of help in times of trouble. I know the verses from Isaiah where he promises that when we walk through the fire, he’ll be there, and when we pass through the waters, it won’t overwhelm us. But I wanted the whole chapter. I needed to read it in context. So I turned to Isaiah chapter 41. Now those of you who know scripture well are already saying — uh oh! Cut me a little slack. It was the middle of the night, and I was only two chapters off.

My mistake led me to chapter 41. It’s a passage that you have to read slowly and think through. I did what any scholarly academic would do. I turned to the Amplified Bible and allowed someone else to do the thinking for me. 

Here’s what God told me:

• My enemies will be defeated. But what enemies? I don’t feel like I have any. Some people love me, some like me, and some don’t care one way or the other. But I don’t think anyone hates me or wishes me harm. But I dug deeper. I do have an enemy. The prince of darkness wishes me harm. And yes, there is a Satan who battles in the spiritual realm. 
• Small and weak as I am, He will make me a threshing board, with spikes that can crumble mountains into dust. I’m really glad that’s figurative language. But he was telling me that, as Paul told the Corinthians, God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness. He would strengthen me for the battle. The battle against health issues, disappointments, and self-pity. 
• He will make rivers flow among barren hills, turn deserts into pools of water, grow forests in unfertile land. I wasn’t sure what He’d do with my painful foot or my canceled contract, but I trusted that He had a plan. 

 That was five years ago. He had a grander plan than my limited mind comprehended. I’m glad that I made a mistake when I meant to open Isaiah chapter 43. I prayed then, and continue to pray, for God’s grace to truly be my sufficiency. Blessed be the name of the Lord.  

Thanks so much for sharing what God taught you, Kathleen! Readers, here’s some information about her!

 

Kathleen Neely is a retired elementary principal, and enjoys time with family, visiting her two grandsons, traveling, and reading. 

She is the author of The Street Singer, Beauty for Ashes, The Least of These, Arms of Freedom, and In Search of True North. Kathleen won second place in a short story contest through ACFW-VA for her short story “The Missing Piece” and an honorable mention for her story “The Dance”. Both were published in a Christmas anthology. Her novel, The Least of These, was awarded first place in the 2015 Fresh Voices contest through Almost an Author. She has numerous devotions published through Christian Devotions. 

Kathleen continues to speak to students about writing and publication processes. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. 

 Here’s where you can find her online:

Website – www.KathleenNeely.com 

Facebook – www.facebook.com/kathy.neely.98

Twitter – https://twitter.com/NeelyKneely3628

Instagram – www.Instagram.com/KathleenNeelyAuthor 

Here’s the info about her newest release, Arms of Freedom:

With each page of the age-old journals, Annie discovers all that unites her with a woman who once lived in her farmhouse. One lived with wealth and one with poverty, but both knew captivity. Both longed to be free.  

Miriam yearns to escape her life as a super model. She drops the pseudonym and uses the name she gave up years ago—Annie Gentry. Then she alters her appearance and moves to rural South Carolina to care for her grandmother. Can she live a simple life without recognition? Can she hide a net worth valued in the millions? Love is nowhere in her plans until she meets a man who wants nothing more than Annie Gentry and the simple life he lives. 

Charlotte lived in the same farmhouse in the tumultuous 1860’s. The Civil War was over, but for a bi-racial girl, freedom remained elusive. She coveted a life where she wouldn’t bring shame to her family. A life where she could make a difference. As she experiences hope, will it be wrested from her? 

Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Kathleen, and thank you for sharing your God-given writing talent. I hope to see many more books from you in the future!