Today, I had a book signing at Rehoboth Christian Bookstore in Forest Park, Ohio. Despite all the promoting I did, attempting to get the word out about that event, I sold only one book. Now, I handed out some business cards and info on my book, Another Day, Another Challenge. I talked to a few people, and I left a few books at the store on consignment. But I was reminded of something tremendous and left that store feeling like that meeting had been divinely arranged.
Martin, the son of the owner of the store, reminded me that the power of God flowed through that book, which had been blessed of God from the very beginning. And its purpose was to strengthen and encourage people who were enduring tough situations in order to bring glory to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. WOW! I never looked at it that way before. I always considered it my book. Yet, I know that God directed me to write it. He opened the door to get it published.
Martin was telling me that I need to remember that this is God’s book, and I need to give Him all the honor and glory and praise that might possibly come my way as a result of it. I’ve only recently started marketing it with any fervor. (I’m attempting to manage my writing and marketing as a business, like my marketing representative said I should.) Anyway, I know beyond all doubt that God also wants me to pursue publication for a series of fiction books that I’ve written. So by the grace of God, I intend to turn this writing business over to Him. He’ll know how to handle it better than I will anyway.
Over the past few weeks I have prayed earnestly, asking for God’s guidance on marketing and promoting, because, frankly, I don’t really know what I’m doing. And I believe that I heard directly from God today. All I need to do is turn this over to Him, give Him the honor and glory for everything good that comes of it, and work as unto the Lord, because He will bless the labor of my hands. This is His book and He wants it out into the hands of His people.