Monday, May 11, 2015

Funny How God Works...

Please note that today's post will be faith-related, so if you don't want to read it, maybe you'd like to check out my other blog?



It's actually a strange thing, trusting God. For one thing, it's never all that easy. We're constantly struggling to hand over our worries, hopes and dreams. Often, because we're afraid that He won't do with them what we want done with them. 

Then, when we do finally realize that His will is so much better for us than our own, we start praying. And often, we start praying for something while keeping in mind how that thing will come about. 

Sometimes, things do happen the way we've envisaged. 

Other times... not so much. And I think that we often miss the fact that we've been blessed because we weren't blessed in the way we expected. 

This recently hit me. See, I've been wanting to self publish my books ever since I got the rights tot them back. Which means I've been wanting to self publish for over a year. The thing is, it's expensive and really hard to do in a way that's not expensive while still looking professional. 

On my other blog, I often talk about how self publishing makes more and more economic sense these days. However, I also know that self publishing is, at least for now, what God wants me to do. I can go into long explanations as to how I know, but let's just say that a lot of prayer has been going into this and it's the answer I kept getting all year. 

One problem: 

Money. 

As you might know, last year pretty much wiped the floor with my behind, and there simply wasn't money available for things like buying a cover or anything else related to publishing for myself. 

So I've been praying and praying and nothing really happens.

Or so I thought. Because although my financial position is improving thanks to my business picking up, there's so much that needs to be done with the money that I just can't comfortably spend it on luxuries. 

Then, at the beginning of this month, I got a surprise royalty payment from my former publishing house. One that I can easily call a windfall that I could spend on anything. Which automatically made me think of what I'd need to pay for to publish. 

Except... Once I thought about it, I realized that God had given me everything I needed for free. I've been blessed with amazing critique partners and an ability to edit without an editor. I then got a book with step by step instructions for formatting and cover design as a gift in return for a critique. And while following those instructions, I got the perfect images for the covers - that are in the creative commons. 

So even though I still didn't get a cent toward publishing my books, I'll still have a highly professional product without needing to actually pay for it.

And if it wasn't for a $22 royalty check that's still waiting to be used, I would never have noticed. 

What about you? Have you ever almost missed the opportunity God gave you because it didn't look like your expectations? 

9 comments:

Mike Keyton said...

Makes for happiness, Misha

Bish Denham said...

Universe works in marvelous and mysterious ways!

Murees Dupè said...

I can definitely relate to this post, Misha. I had gotten the same answer when I wanted to know what to do about my writing, which is why I am more than happy to pursue self-publishing.

I also know what you mean about the costs. It can be expensive, but luckily a few blogger friends have provided me with so much help, I am left feeling humbled. God does indeed work in funny ways, but I am always grateful for the help. May your good fortune continue. Have a wonderful week.

SpacerGuy said...

Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings!

Connie Keller said...

So glad to see how the Lord has blessed your faith!

Cathrina Constantine said...

God will provide. Although, sometimes not in the way we're praying for. I prayed and prayed for my first book to get published, IF that was what He wanted. I felt in my heart the first book was going to be published, and at that time I never even considered self-pubbing. Money was a big factor, too.

When I was ready to throw in the towel on my writing, thinking God didn't want me to do this because it was taking too much away from my family, I received 3 offers from small presses.

When God slams one door, another opens, but sometimes not the one we expected...

Blogoratti said...

He really does work in mysterious ways. Many thanks for sharing that!

Tyrean Martinson said...

I love how God works in those unexpected blessings when we trust in Him!

Misha Gerrick said...

Yes it does, Mike.

So true, Bish.

God bless you too, Murees.

That's a beautiful saying, Spacerguy.

Thanks, Connie. So am I. ;-)

Cathrina, that's very true. Thanks for sharing your story.

Thanks for stopping by, Blogoratti.

Tyrean, I love that too. :-)