I hope I don’t bore you with today’s post.
Each occurrence that is happening with the book lately might seem redundant, but to me each opportunity has been unique and obviously orchestrated by a very creative and outside-the-box Hand. And when God’s hand is at work, I feel compelled to share what that work looked like…
Yesterday I shipped out an order of seven more books, so I had taken a box of books with me to work so that I could mail them. I had a crazy day of one thing after another and at the end of the day headed to an event that was hosted by a friend of mine, Joy, that I met at work.
The event was a party at a boutique across town that is a non-profit whose proceeds go to battered and homeless women in Denver. Each of us was to bring something to donate to the store that would bring in money for the ministry. This unique and lovely store is called She-She’s Corner. I knew that I had heard the name before, but couldn’t remember exactly why.
I got there a few minutes late (no surprise) because I got lost (also no surprise) but when I arrived I was greeted by my friend Joy with a huge hug and an exclamation that would make any one feel like a rock star. (She genuinely made each guest who arrived feel as if they were the guest of honor, announcing their arrival as if some type of royalty. So sweet!)
But as I entered the shop, I heard my name being called out from the back of the room. “Jana!” It was my friend Lynn, whom I’d met through another friend on my side of town. THAT’S why the name of this placed sounded so familiar. SHE was the manager of the store!
Our mutual friend Teresa had just come in the day before and told her about my book being published (the last time I had seen Lynn, it was just in the beginning stages). She asked if I had any with me and if she could buy one. Well, because I hadn’t gotten a chance to go home and unload my car, I “just happened” to have the rest of the box from which I had mailed the seven earlier. She then asked if I could speak at her single moms luncheon in a week and a half.
Long story short, not only did she buy a book, but two other gals whom I’d never met – one of the Catholic faith, one of Jewish faith – asked me about the book, engaged in a meaningful conversation and then each bought one for themselves.
There are two things about last night that made me smile. One, that a week and a half ago I sold ONE book at my signing, last week I sold TWO books, and last night I sold THREE books. Is there a pattern here? ( I have another book signing today – maybe FOUR books???) And two, that I had just been praying during my crazy day yesterday that God would provide the opportunities for the book to get in people’s hands, not by manipulation on my part, but in very obvious “God ways”. And He keeps doing that with each sale being accompanied by a sweet conversation. I love that!
I am also beginning to put a copy on coffee shop tables for people to pick up and look at and maybe take home and read. I will check back every so often and leave another if they “disappear”. I have only done one so far, and had to replace it yesterday. Praying that God uses it to encourage a hurting or searching soul. I would love for these to “randomly” be passed on and shared. I will probably never really know…
So please forgive my endless tales of God’s work in this endeavor. I feel like I am just watching something happen that is beyond my lack of ability to plan such things. God is good…
At one o’clock today, I will head to yet another signing and hopefully more conversations with people I don’t yet know. If nothing happens, I won’t be disappointed. God knows what the day holds. But I do know this – I can trust that God is working in ways that I cannot see and may never know or understand. My little box is way too small for the things He has in mind….for you and for me…
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
