Welcome friends. I’m happy to announce the winner of last week’s contest.The lucky receipient of “Dust” by Eva Marie Everson is–Ruth McGlothlin! Your book is in the mail. A huge thank you to everyone who commented on my blog post.
Ready to remove that boulder?
Covid with its resulting job losses, restructuring, and isolations left many of us wondering, “What’s the new normal?” Twenty-first century lives are often plagued with hardships no one saw coming.
But if we’re Christians, God is always ready to help us–unless we’re determined to lift the boulder alone. That reminds me of the big bad wolf who huffed and puffed with all of his might and couldn’t blow down the house. Likewise, we might struggle and waste valuable time and energy, but still not move our burden one inch.
Sometimes our problems pile so high we can’t see the light on the other side. Other times, we break down and ask Him for help, but we lack the faith or patience to allow God to complete the task. Some problems require extra time for Him to handle wisely.
No matter what kind of relationship problems you’re facing–dating, marriage, friendships, family, or work–they’re never too big or too small for the Lord. This week, let’s remember to ask God to handle our problems first instead of waiting until we’re crushed by them. Claim the saying–“Let go and let God.”
I’m living proof that if you give every one of your burdens to God, and He takes the reins, He’ll handle them in His perfect way, and you can sit back and rest, worry free.
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 ESV
And now, let’s learn about author Susan M. Baganz’s happily ever after. Her story is sure to confirm that God directs our paths.
My Happily Ever After Really Happened
I met Ben through eharmony a day after I tried to cancel my subscription to the service. We had a three-hour first date at Q’doba. He lived 42 minutes away and his nine kids were grown. He wasn’t going to move, and neither was I, as my three kids were still in school. We decided to be friends—friends who talked almost daily on the phone and had several more “friend-dates” because we enjoyed each other’s company. It was five dates before we kissed, and it was worth waiting for! I never realized a kiss could be that amazing!
Due to an abusive first marriage, I had fear about getting closer to Ben.
I sought wise counsel and prayed a lot. I had rotator-cuff surgery, and Ben, having endured three such surgeries on each shoulder, showed up every day at eight a.m. to walk my dog and watch over me, taking me to appointments, and making sure I didn’t do anything stupid to hinder my healing. He’d leave twelve hours later. We talked—a lot—about everything. I would stumble in a conversation and start speaking gibberish, and he would respond in gibberish, except he sounded like an angry German! Often, we would say a word the other was thinking and we’re not talking common words either. It was freaky! When he proposed, I was ready and said yes.
But we weren't taking any chances.
Before taking the leap, we went through two rigorous pre-marital tests and intensive counseling to make sure we were going into our marriage with eyes wide open, which is not easy to do when you’re deliriously in love. We committed to abstinence before our whirlwind wedding while remodeling a home he purchased for us. (Yes, he moved and is glad he did!) We wed six months after that first connection and have no regrets. We work hard on our marriage, talking, praying, and reading Scripture together at the end of the day. Sometimes we lapse into gibberish, although some of those words have acquired actual meanings to us—and only us.
We are in awe of all God has done, healing us and growing us together through the challenges we’ve faced, and I, for one, couldn’t be happier.
Whitney’s Vow was written in response to an author friend posting a photo online that she’d come across, saying, “This would be a great cover to a romance novel.” I decided to write a story based on that photo. We couldn’t use that picture for the cover of the book, but I like the cover my publisher designed.
THIS IS NOT THE WEDDING DAY WHITNEY EXPECTED
Whitney Anderson is stunned by the news that her dashing husband is dead. She doesn’t understand what’s happened except that their ranch in the hills of Montana is at risk. On the verge of a marriage of convenience to save their home—Whitney’s world tilts on its axis.
Blake Anderson returns home from service to his country to find his wife about to wed another. Uncovering the layers of lies and deceit that brought them to this place reveals a conspiracy to gain access to their land under which a vast reserve of oil is untapped.
Blake’s not selling, and his return comes at a cost for them all as they fight family, former friends, and foreign enemies. Blake’s out to save his land, his wife and his marriage.
Whitney was once content to remain in the dark when it came to the running of the ranch and Blake’s military operations, but now she’s vowed and determined to discover the truth and prove her devotion to her husband…Or die trying.
BIO: Susan M. Baganz
Susan M. Baganz is happily married to Ben, has raised Hobbits, one still a teenager, and is a native of Wisconsin. Susan writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical worldview.
She speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her master’s degree in counseling psychology from a seminary, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness.
Her favorite pastimes are lazy…snuggling with her dogs while reading a good book or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte, or more recently, running the skid-loader to help with outdoor projects at home.
You can learn more by following her blog at susanbaganz.com, her Twitter feed @susanbaganz or her fan page, facebook.com/susanmbaganz.
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8 thoughts on “When God Takes the Reins”
A great reminder to let go and let God! I try to remember that with life brings challenges but sometimes I forget. Thanks!
Thanks, Rachel. I think we all need this reminder
Let go and let God is just what I needed to hear. Wonderful blog and I loved the post about Susan M. Baganz. Thank you. Patsy
Thank you Pat. I appreciate your comments. God bless
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Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.
Thank you.