This post is a part of the Five Minute Friday link up. We write for just 5 minutes on a one-word prompt and see what happens. No heavy editing allowed. Today’s word is “achieve.”
I’ve never been a big one to have large goals. But one thing I’ve always wanted to do is write a book. I’m a creative writer, majored in that in college, but most of the writing I do now is devotional writing. I had very little hope of achieving my goal of getting a novel published. But God had other plans, and they didn’t look exactly like mine, go figure.
And so, I wrote a book!
I kind of feel like I cheated a little because the book is for my employer, Abide Christian Meditation (now part of the Guideposts family, btw). They got the contract with Zondervan, after all, not me. But the task of putting together the book fell on me as the senior editor for Abide.
And not only one book, but two.
So the first book released October 12, 2021. It’s called Peace With the Psalms: 40 Readings to Relax Your Mind and Calm Your Heart. It’s a collection of Abide’s meditations from the Psalms that I edited into devotional format. They are beautiful and calming and I highly recommend the book (of course).
But the second book is the one I’m most proud of. It’s called Cast Your Cares: A 40-Day Journey to Find Rest for Your Soul. It will be released on February 8, 2022. It started out as the same format as Peace, but because of the depth of the subject matter, Zondervan’s editor asked me to expand on every chapter. And so, I would say the writing is about 80% mine. That’s just a guess.
And this one actually has my name on the title page: with Stephanie Reeves.
I’m super excited for you to get this book. It’s on presale now at your favorite bookseller. It’s the #1 new release in the “religious meditations” category on Amazon. Need rest for your soul in the areas of anxiety, fear, loneliness, finances, self-image, shame and more? Cast Your Cares speaks to them all.
These books were a gift, basically dropped in my lap by God. It’s not how I pictured achieving my book-writing goal, but for now, it’s the avenue God gave me. And I’m very happy to share it with you!
Compelled 
Plus, you’re still thinking occasionally about that cozy mystery you’ve 70% written–but I know it’s back burner status in lieu of what God wants to do through you!
Thanks, Husband! 😂 That’s your new pseudonym
Well done! That’s a great achievement and I love how God can work these things out in unexpected ways. The books sound really good. I’ll have to take a look. Visiting from FMF.
Thank you, Lesley! I’d be honored if you’d get it!
Ooo – will keep an eye out for your books.
Just popped by from FMF #14
Thank you! I’d love for you to get one or the both!
Congratulations, Stephanie!
You’ve worked hard in a background place,
in anonymity,
and reflected quiet grace
that many got to see,
but they could not associate
your wise words with a name,
for you were cool to understate,
and eschew deserved fame.
But now you’ve come into your own, and God’s drawn back the veil
so that you may be loved and known,
and you may tell a tale,
a cozy Christian mystery
to be identified with thee!
Thank you, Andrew! This poem is very special to me! I’m keeping it forever 🥰
Wow – what an accomplishment…or should I say “achievement”!! Congratulations – a dream come true!!
Thanks, Jennifer! Gods is good. Never envisioned this happening, but it’s very sweet.
well done on seeing this as the gift it is. 🙂 FMF19
Thank you, Annette! Definitely a gift 😊
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Wonderful! I’m looking forward to getting it Stephanie.
Thank you, Lorna! I’d love to know what you think!
Congratulations!! That’s awesome!
Thank you! Pretty cool 😎