I love how God weaves hearts together. Though we’re simply acquaintances, Debbie Wilson and I have a few important things in common. We both have books releasing on March 8 by the same publisher (Leafwood). We both live in North Carolina, and we both are represented by the same literary agent, Blythe Daniel.
Those are pretty significant, but there is something that intertwines our hearts more than our profession or where we live. Though our books are not identical , they are founded on the same basic principal of God’s desire to use less than perfect people. Debbie’s Bible study, Little Women, Big God: It’s not the size of your problems, but the size of your God is a book that speaks my heart.
I’m thrilled to introduce her and her new book to you. Here’s a post from Debbie about Little Women, Big God.
When You Need a Big God
by, Debbie Wilson
In Letters to an American Lady, C. S. Lewis wrote, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us: we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
Do I hear an “Amen!”?
Some unrealistic expectations contaminated my early faith in Jesus. Because the Bible says the Lord goes before me and behind me and lays His hand upon me (Ps. 139:5), I thought He surely shielded those who walked with Him from pain.
When I bought my first car, I even wondered why God’s children needed car insurance. Doesn’t God take care of us? In the span of a couple of years, my car was in three accidents. None of them were my fault. Twice it was stopped or parked where it was supposed to be. But I had to pay each time. My heavenly Father took care of me, not by sparing me of aggravation, but by teaching me how to walk with Him through the disappointments of an unfair world.
Working as a counselor, I learned it’s not uncommon for Christians to be confused over their painful circumstances. They wonder how their losses could have happened when they’d honored God with good lives. Was there something wrong with them—or with God?
I hope Little Women, Big God will free people from the disillusionment pain and hardship can cause. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible shows God’s chosen followers suffered slavery, abuse, imprisonment, and even martyrdom while those who spit at God luxuriated in palaces. Even the women in Jesus’ genealogy weren’t spared great difficulties and unfairness. Take a peek:
- Tamar’s wicked husband used her for sex and prevented her from conceiving the child she needed for companionship, acceptance, and security.
- Rahab supported herself as a professional prostitute in a pagan culture. What hope did she have of a happy and decent life?
- Ruth, a widowed foreigner, had less status than a lowly servant girl when poverty forced her to glean barley for food.
But God wove an amazing twist into each one’s story. God’s intervention on behalf of these women shows us that happy endings don’t depend on the size of our problems or even the size of our faith, but on the size of our God. As God created beauty from ashes for them, so He’s promised to do the same for us who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Trials teach us we need a big God. The women in Jesus’ family tree show us we have one in Jesus.
What challenge or suffering has dwarfed your courage or faith?
I want to celebrate the release of my new book Little Women, Big God: It’s not the size of your problems, but the size of your God with you. Please leave a comment to enter to win a free copy. If you’re in a hurry, simply say, “I’m leaning on my big God!”
About Debbie:
Debbie W. Wilson is an ordinary woman who has experienced an extraordinary God. Drawing from her personal walk with Christ, twenty-four years as a Christian counselor, and decades as a Bible teacher, Debbie speaks and writes to help women discover relevant faith. She and her husband, Larry, founded Lighthouse Ministries in 1991. They, along with their two grown children and two standard poodles, enjoy calling North Carolina home. Share her journey to refreshing faith at her blog.
www.Lighthouseministriesnc.org, (www.debbiewwilson.com) http://debbiewwilson.com/little-women-big-god/
Hey friends, Andy here. Thanks for joining! Leave a comment to have a chance to win Debbie’s new book. I’ll announce the winner on Wednesday, March 9! You can also order a copy on Amazon.
Finding Purpose in Celebrating Others,
[…] winner of Little Women, Big God, by Debbie Wilson giveaway is . . . drum roll please . . […]
[…] I pray you have a grace-filled, abundant week. Come back Wednesday for the winner of Little Women, Big God: It’s not the size of your problems, but the size of your God, by Debbie… […]
Everyone has a special story God breathed into our souls and we all need to share it to encourage others.
Amen, Joy! Thanks for that encouragement. You’re entered. :)
YES! My big God showed Himself this morning in letting me know I’m where He wants me :-)
Yay! He does indeed love you, Bonnie! You’re entered.
Awesome, Bonnie. He knows just what we need!
Andy, thank you for introducing me to yet another beautiful woman after God’s heart. So thankful to be able to do life with you :)
Amen! i feel the same way Stacey. You are a ray of sunshine. :) You’re entered.
Such a timely word. Thank you Debbie (and Andy). I would love to win a copy. I get myself into trouble with my “ideas” all the time!!
Awesome! I love the timeliness of God’s words! You are entered, Jeanne.
Andy, Debbie got my attention with… “It’s not the size of my problem.. But, the size of My God.”
That’s a great line isn’t it, Janice?! It got me too. You’re entered! Blessings!
This book definitely will go on my list of “must reads.” Debbie Wilson’s story is so parallel to everything we have been studying in the last few weeks. Along with Andy Lee’s newest blessing to us, A Mary Like Me, Debbie’s book will fill our hearts with increased encouragement that is vital for everyday living.
“I’m leaning on my Big God!”
Amen! Lean on, Diane! You’re entered. :)
Did you ever read something and know it was God’s way of giving you the direct answer you just prayed about (and whined and cried and stomped your feet?) The CS Lewis quote at the top floored me, because God and I were just “discussing” this!
Yay! And I got to be apart of it just sharing it!! Love God’s timing. :) You’re entered!
Judi, Don’t you just love how God does that! Blessings, my friend.