All in the Perspective

Anyone who knows me knows I love to read. Love, love, love, love, love it!!!!

I have about 5-8 books at all times that I want to dive into, but a lack of time keeps me from it. I get to them when I can, usually grabbing a few minutes during carline when I am waiting to pick up my kids. I am a fast reader, thankfully, but still…it takes me awhile to finish a book when I finally get to actually start it!

Oh well. :)

So…I’ve had a book that I wanted to read for quite some time, but I finally got around to reading it. It is one of the most poignant and powerful books I have read in a very long time, and I want to recommend it to you.

Actually, I want to recommend it and its follow-up book, equally powerful for me, and written by the same woman. The books are entitled, When I Lay My Isaac Down and A New Kind of Normal. They are by Carol Kent, and you can buy them online at Amazon or Christian Books or at any local Christian bookstore (and likely a Barnes and Noble or Borders in your area). If you have not read them, please go get them and read them. And if you know of someone who has gone or is going through a life-altering circumstance, please recommend these books to them. They are truly awesome books with a strong message of hope in the midst of deep pain.

Looking back, I wish I had these books when Scotty and I went through our deep valley a few years back with his job loss. These books would have really ministered to me in a time when I felt like no one really understood what we were going through. As anyone who goes through a major life interruption can testify, these situations forever alter your life and change your perspective. It’s similar to how your perspective changes when you become a new mom, but obviously for a much different (and much more joyful) reason.

I can remember the first time I noticed this change in my perspective after having my first child. We were visiting a friend’s home and went in the backyard to have some coffee and good conversation. My friend led me out on their deck, flanked by a beautifully tiled pool and hot tub. The grand landscaping and serene setting surrounded me, but all I could focus on was the watery death trap staring back at me, making me afraid. Though I have always loved pools and swimming, this time it was different. As a new mom, I saw something through a completely different lens. What I once saw as a fun and enjoyable pasttime, I now saw as an extreme hazard to my young son, should he fall into the water. I knew then that after entering this new stage in my life, my perspective about things would likely never again be the same.

Similarly, when Scotty lost his job in 2002, my perspective forever changed. After having gone through nearly 18 months with no job, no longer was I only mildly sympathetic to people who had major life interruptions like mine. No longer did I mutter under my breath, “Oh, bless their heart” when someone mentioned prayer in church for an acquaintance who lost their job and then fail to actually pray for them. No longer did I take for granted the things I once did, like buying a $3.25 Starbucks or going to the ATM machine to withdraw $20 for whatever I wanted to spend it on. I could no longer stand any interactions with people that I did not feel were real, completely rejecting those I perceived as fake! I promised God that on the other side of our circumstance, I would always remember what it felt like to live a less-than-perfect life so I could relate to so many others. And nearly 7 years later, I haven’t forgotten those feelings yet. And I truly hope and pray I never will, as it allows me a much richer appreciation for life and God’s blessings.

So, go out and get these books. And after you read them, pass them on to someone who God lays on your heart. They are not just for people who have faced deep valleys or great pain in life, though all of us have in some way, haven’t we? And as we near Thanksgiving Day, join me in praying for a newfound appreciation for what we DO have, rather than what we DON’T. After reading these two books by Carol Kent, your perspective on what really matters just may change.

Lisa

Help me write my book!

I need your help in writing my next book!

As you may know, the book I have coming out in April is entitled, Behind Those Eyes: What’s Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women. Here is the description of the book, taken from the Thomas Nelson catalog… “A look at the various roles women play as they cover for the inadequacies they feel, why they do so, and who they really are in and through Jesus Christ. Behind Those Eyes encourages women to face the reality of who they are and who God created them to be. The result helps to mend broken souls, repair relationships, and strengthen connections with family and friends.”

So, here’s where you come in…

~Do you have a story or insight that speaks of a time when you tried to be perfect, act confident when you really weren’t, tried to fake being happy, or wanted people to see you as more spiritual than you really were?

If you do, then please send it my way! It just might be included in one of the chapters! (Please only send stories that you don't mind sharing with the readers. First names only will be used, and names can be changed for protection and privacy. Send stories to lwhittle@juno.com.)

But here’s the catch…

1) I am in a little bit of a time crunch. This book has already been edited and is now in the stage that it will go to proofing by Nov. 1…so…I have this week to work on it, but then next week we are on vacation all week. When I get back, I will have two weeks to complete the copyedited manuscript changes until my deadline. So, I would need your story soon!

In tweaking the book, it became apparent that we needed a few additional different kinds of stories to appeal to a cross-section of women…which brings me to my next stipulation…

2) If you are married, I need a story that doesn’t involve your husband or children (if you have them). We are looking for stories from when you were single or before you had children.

I can’t wait to hear from you! I know you have a story to tell!
Lisa :)

My Huge Moment...with Max!

I open this blog by giving you fair warning before you read it…this will not be the most spiritual posting I will ever write. But it was such a special moment for me that I have to share it with you.

In July, I had the opportunity to attend my first ever ICRS convention – a place where both new and veteran artists in the Christian music and publishing world converge to visit vendor booths, meet with agents and editors, and hang out with new friends who share their love for writing and music. Promoting The 7 Hardest Things book for Shepherd Press, my mother and I had the privilege of signing over 300 books for some eager readers, both men and women who we got to meet and visit with, face-to-face. What an exciting event that was for both of us! It took us a few minutes to fully realize that people were actually standing in line…waiting to talk to US! Very humbling...and somewhat strange.

It was even more humbling when I looked over and noticed another, much longer line forming to our left at the Thomas Nelson booth. (Incidentally -- my new publishing home for my next book.) Curious, I craned my neck to see what (or who) the line was all about. That’s when I saw a new book cover, 3:16, with Max Lucado’s name on it. I got so excited, I nearly jumped out of my skin! Max Lucado was signing books right next to me, and I could get in line and meet him!

Let me explain my excitement…although to most readers of Christian non-fiction, the excitement over the name Max Lucado needs no real explanation. When I was a sophomore in college, I felt the call of God on my life to be in His service for the rest of my life. At the time, I didn’t know what that would look like or where it would take me, but I was so excited to serve Him, regardless of the particulars. During those years, I read every “Max” book I could get my hands on to inspire, motivate and nurture this call on my life, often re-reading books right after I finished them. I loved his writing then, and I still love his writing today. He is one of the most inspirational writers of this time, and he can paint a picture of Christ like few others are able to do.

So when I was finally able to meet him for the first time at ICRS, I was both amazed and inspired, anew. God had used so many of his words to confirm my call and point me to Him over the years, and then, at this convention to see the manifestation of that call happen in some ways, was…well…incredible for me. It held such sweet meaning for this girl who, like many others, finally found her real significance in the arms of Jesus Christ, and now has the privilege of writing about it.

I pray that my writing will inspire hearts and touch lives in some way, just as Max Lucado’s writing has done for me and countless others over the years. It was a high privilege to meet Max Lucado this summer, and when I did, it was clear to me how he could write the way he does. The sincerity and humility of his heart was ever evident in his countenance and words. God has used him in a big way because he has allowed Him to. And what a powerful team they are!

As for me, getting to meet Max was like a big ‘ole hug from God! Too cool for words! :)

Lisa