Genre: Christian, Contemporary, Fiction
Publisher: Rooted Publishing
Publication Date: April 15, 2016
Number of pages: 349
Publisher: Rooted Publishing
Publication Date: April 15, 2016
Number of pages: 349
One word can change a life…
Sarah Sharpe has grown up as a carpenter’s daughter, knowing only the rough and work-heavy world of her father’s blue-collar profession. Abandoned by her mother as a baby, she’s lived twenty-one years content to drive nails at her dad’s side. Following her father into the world of construction was a natural path, and she took it without a second thought. But a harsh comment about her “butch” appearance sends her on a search for identity.Enter handsome and easygoing Jesse Chapman, the roofer she meets on her first foray into volunteer work for Homes For Hope. In every way, the quirky man is her opposite—confident, a people kind of guy, and most importantly, happy. His likable qualities continue to draw her in, and for some reason he keeps coming back to her. But they can’t be more than friends—he’s made that crystal clear. Except for a handful of times…and the confusion is driving her crazy.
Sarah’s quest for self-definition becomes more tangled than she ever imagined, and she discovers that the journey will take her deeper than clothes and makeup. Filling the void in her heart becomes an obsession she cannot escape. How far is she willing to go to discover who she really is?
GOODREADS | Pre-order now on AMAZON for $0.99
I recently wrote a piece to announce the coming release of my third novel, The Carpenter’s Daughter. The post was called Enough, and in it I talk about how this story sank into me. Deep.
I’m still soaking in that. See, as a writer, I’ve put myself in a pretty vulnerable position. Telling stories, especially stories that are truly a work of the heart, is a little bit like walking down a busy street naked. For me, I write to learn, which means the things my characters go through are often reflective of my own life. Not in the details, (I’m not Sarah Sharpe. Anyone who has seen my lack of carpentry skills can vouch for that!), but in the emotional journey. Sharing that with the world, and knowing that there will be criticism… that’s pretty scary.
However, this journey, this book, has become a landmark in my heart. One worth sharing. It boils down so beautifully simple to this:
Jesus loves me.
Did I know that before? Yes. Since very early childhood. But, somehow, through Sarah’s story, truth has moved deeper into my heart. As I have been reflecting on that, I am reminded of this devotion I wrote a couple years ago, and I wanted to share it. Not only because it is true—Jesus loves me with Joy—but because today, that truth means a little bit more to me.
I pray He keeps teaching me, sinking His love deeper, and maybe as He continues His good work in me, it may impact others too.
Nothing in this world could mean more
I’m still soaking in that. See, as a writer, I’ve put myself in a pretty vulnerable position. Telling stories, especially stories that are truly a work of the heart, is a little bit like walking down a busy street naked. For me, I write to learn, which means the things my characters go through are often reflective of my own life. Not in the details, (I’m not Sarah Sharpe. Anyone who has seen my lack of carpentry skills can vouch for that!), but in the emotional journey. Sharing that with the world, and knowing that there will be criticism… that’s pretty scary.
However, this journey, this book, has become a landmark in my heart. One worth sharing. It boils down so beautifully simple to this:
Jesus loves me.
Did I know that before? Yes. Since very early childhood. But, somehow, through Sarah’s story, truth has moved deeper into my heart. As I have been reflecting on that, I am reminded of this devotion I wrote a couple years ago, and I wanted to share it. Not only because it is true—Jesus loves me with Joy—but because today, that truth means a little bit more to me.
I pray He keeps teaching me, sinking His love deeper, and maybe as He continues His good work in me, it may impact others too.
Nothing in this world could mean more
I am Loved: Loved With Joy
(originally posted on www.thefreeslavesdevotion.com
The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, he will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
I wondered what that meant–“He will be quiet in His love”. Does it mean that because He loves me He will cease rebuking? No, I don’t think that’s right. The proverbs tell us that The Lord rebukes the son that He loves. I needed to do some digging.
I’m so glad I did.
It’s interesting to note that the Hebrew word used here was commonly used to denote the love between a man and a woman. Love like what we think of in human terms. Love that is deeply felt and pursued by choice.
Have you ever been told that you’re difficult to love? Ouch. I mean, really, ouch. That sting doesn’t quit.
Maybe sometimes we read of God’s agape—his unique, divine love–and we think in the secret, wounded places of our hearts “I like that, but He loves me because He must. . . Because He is love.” Something in that robs a bit of the sheen from that truth.
Listen, oh my tender heart, to what Matthew Henry writes of this verse:
“I know not where there is the like expression of Christ’s love to his church. . . The great God not only loves his saints, but he loves to love them, is pleased that he has pitched upon these objects of his love.”
This is the kind of love a bridegroom lavishes upon his bride as he stares into her eyes with wonder and joy and LOVE.
And my God looks at me like that? My heart just melted. He loves me with a joyful love!
I wondered what that meant–“He will be quiet in His love”. Does it mean that because He loves me He will cease rebuking? No, I don’t think that’s right. The proverbs tell us that The Lord rebukes the son that He loves. I needed to do some digging.
I’m so glad I did.
It’s interesting to note that the Hebrew word used here was commonly used to denote the love between a man and a woman. Love like what we think of in human terms. Love that is deeply felt and pursued by choice.
Have you ever been told that you’re difficult to love? Ouch. I mean, really, ouch. That sting doesn’t quit.
Maybe sometimes we read of God’s agape—his unique, divine love–and we think in the secret, wounded places of our hearts “I like that, but He loves me because He must. . . Because He is love.” Something in that robs a bit of the sheen from that truth.
Listen, oh my tender heart, to what Matthew Henry writes of this verse:
“I know not where there is the like expression of Christ’s love to his church. . . The great God not only loves his saints, but he loves to love them, is pleased that he has pitched upon these objects of his love.”
This is the kind of love a bridegroom lavishes upon his bride as he stares into her eyes with wonder and joy and LOVE.
And my God looks at me like that? My heart just melted. He loves me with a joyful love!
Jennifer Rodewald is passionate about the Word of God and the powerful vehicle of story. The draw to fiction has tugged hard on her heart since childhood, and when she began pursuing writing she set on stories that pointed to the grace of God. Jen lives and writes in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic.
She would love to hear from you! Please connect with Jennifer on:
She would love to hear from you! Please connect with Jennifer on:
No comments:
Post a Comment