I am happy to introduce you to Jennifer Slattery.
I recently read her debut novel and thouroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to her second one (information on both below). As I read Jennifer’s post, I recognized a timely word of encouragement. I hope you are encouraged as well. Be sure to stop by and visit Jennifer over on her website!
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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.
Visit with Jennifer online at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.
Discover more about her books at the bottom of the post.
From Jennifer’s Heart to Yours…..
Short on time, long on tasks—watch the chaos ensue.
We’ve all had days like this, right? Life can get insane! Actually, life is insane on a good day. When mistakes occur or the unexpected hits… I don’t have an analogy quite sufficient for that.
Listening to other friends, it appears I’m not the only one with a rapidly mounting to-do list. For me, a lot of jobs and little time equals a dull mind. And often, a very sour heart, one that could, if not put into check, infect my family’s hearts.
Because the woman sets the tone for the household.
So what do we do when we burn dinner, overflow our washing machine into an overflowing, sudsy mess, and our brain feels ready to explode?
We slow down and regroup. We let the potatoes simmer and the laundry stay in heaps on our bed and head straight for our prayer closet. We turn on the radio, tuned to praise music, and focus on those things that matter most:
Christ and His mission.
Love.
Gentleness.
Family.
Heart-to-heart time.
With or without mashed potatoes.
Psalm 139:16 says all my days –even the crazy ones–were written in God’s book before one of them came to be.
Ephesians 2:10 says I am God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things He planned for me—for my family—long ago.
And if God planned my life, (and yours) one bad day isn’t going to thwart it. In fact, my chaos could be laying the groundwork for His perfect plan. (Jeremiah 29:11) My best response, then, is to pause and tune my ears to Him, the Prince of Peace.
Chaos could be laying the
groundwork for His perfect plan.
Not only has Christ enabled us to have peace with God, but He also gives us a daily peace that surpasses our circumstances–when we abide. If we abide in Him, remain in Him, draw near to Him throughout our day, He’ll come to us, soothing our anxieties and filling us with peace and strength. It might feel like we don’t have time for prayer, but honestly, if we’re feeling frazzled and pushed to the max, we don’t have time not to pray.
Let Jesus be your all in all today.
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Jennifer’s Books:
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?
Purchase When the Dawn Breaks:
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Beyond I Do
Jennifer’s debut novel is currently on sale at Amazon for under $4 (print & kindle version)!
Marriage . . . it’s more than a happily ever after. Eternally more.
Marriage . . . it’s more than a happily ever after. Eternally more.Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonist mother, who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed socialite psychiatrist. But as her wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream and ignites a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé. To embrace God’s best and find true love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.
I hope you enjoy Jennifer’s books as much as I have!
Hi, Angela! Thanks so much for having me on your blog! I'm so glad you enjoyed my debut novel. 🙂 We need to do another signing together sometime. That was a lot of fun! And I still need to pick up your novel… I might need to head to B&N this Friday. Maybe we could meet for coffee????