Betsy St. Amant
One commenter will win a copy of
Betsy's new release:
Betsy's new release:
Love Arrives in Pieces
God is Evident on My Journey
I was asked to write
a post about how the Lord has led me on my writing journey. And all I could
think of was the phrase “kicking and screaming”. ::grin::
You’ve probably seen
the cartoon of the stick figure Jesus and the Christian. Jesus is pointing out
the footsteps in the sand. “Those multiple set of prints are where I walked
beside you. Those single footprints are where I carried you. And see that long
groove? That’s where I dragged you.”
I don’t think it
works that way exactly, but you can probably relate!
I’m pretty sure I
have the world’s worst memory—maybe right up there along with the Israelites.
Because no matter how many times God has worked miracles in my life, shown His
endless love for me, and never failed to provide for me, I still panic, doubt,
and pitch a fit every time my life careens off the course I’ve plotted. The
equivalent of sitting down in the sand and crossing my arms in a huff that
would give any toddler a run for their money.

He’s led me this far,
and He’s not going to start wandering us around in circles now.
When I look back, His
fingerprints are so evident on my writing journey. There was this time I felt
prompted at an ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference to go talk
to someone whom most in attendance considered a Very Important Person. I argued
with God. “Um, don’t you know who that is? I have nothing to say to them. They
won’t even remember me!” But I obeyed. Struck up a conversation, which turned
into a great one (they did remember me!) I felt sure this would be the opening
to a door at that particular publishing house. I could “clearly see” what God
was doing here. It was so obvious (ha! Hilarious, right?)
See, the thing about
God is, we rarely guess His plan correctly. And the best part is His plans are
better than ours anyway. Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within
us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
I thought I knew what
God was doing that day when I obeyed that prompting and started that conversation.
But I had no clue. Oh my goodness, I was so far off. God took that conversation
and developed it into a friendship that rescued me on more than one occasion,
that saw me through one of the darkest seasons of my life, as well as the
corresponding season of confusion and rebellion afterward. That relationship
prayed me out of the pit, spoke life into me, and, through various avenues, took
me to a deeper level of “next” with God that I didn’t know existed.

It’s so much better
to walk with Jesus. To have those moments of insight and hindsight that
literally steal your breath until all you can do is exhale His name in wonder.
What about you? Are
you walking with Jesus on your life’s journey today? Are you being carried
right now through a particularly rough storm? Or are you being dragged,
fighting against the purpose God has called you to?
.
Betsy St. Amant has a heart for three things - chocolate, new
shoes and sharing the amazing news of God's grace through her novels. She
resides in Louisiana with her adorable, story-telling young daughter, a collection
of Austen novels and an impressive stash of Pickle Pringles. Betsy has a B.A.
in Communications, is multi-published in contemporary romantic fiction, and
freelances for her local newspaper. She also enjoys inspirational speaking and
teaching on the craft of writing. When she's not composing her next book or
trying to figure out where Mr. Darcy went, she can usually be found somewhere
in the vicinity of a white-chocolate mocha, or singing along with her daughter
to the latest Disney soundtrack. Look for her upcoming novel with HarperCollins
publishers, Love Arrives in Pieces, June 2015!
Here is how you can connect with Betsy:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For so long, Stella was known for her beauty. Now, with her
heart stripped bare, she must discover who she really is.
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Click Here to buy or read Love Arrives in Pieces |
Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn’t trust beauty anymore
after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to brokenness, so
instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but she
always falls short. So she keeps her passion for art to herself and focuses on
her interior design work. But if she doesn’t get another job soon, she’ll be
stuck living with her parents.
Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no
regrets after losing his fiancée. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to
see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he’ll fall apart. So
he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town’s old theater and is shocked
to discover that the designer for the project is his old flame, Stella.
Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry
and past as they struggle to compromise and work together on a vision for the
theater. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness—and their
unresolved feelings for each other—until Chase discovers the hidden parts of
Stella, while losing her trust in the process.
A near
catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force Stella and
Chase to realize that they have a choice—to hold on to the shards of their
pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful
masterpiece from their brokenness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Betsy's new release:
Love Arrives in Pieces:
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12 comments:
I just got married in April and the Lord is teaching me many things about myself, (not always pretty things)! I am learning how stubborn, self centered and selfish I had become as a single person living alone, except for a cat, for almost 10 years... Change is never easy, but I am trusting the Lord to guide me in the right direction.
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have a feeling that your man is going to be with all those changes, Patty. You'll soon find that sharing your life with him is going to be better than awesome. :)
This book interests me because I was divorced several years ago and remember how broken I felt. About 9 years later, with much help from God, I no longer feel broken, but I think I probably still have some trust issues. Love Arrives in Pieces sounds like a book I'd enjoy reading.
I do subscribe to your blog via email.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Through circumstances that are painful for me to divulge, I am now the primary caregiver of my 16 month old granddaughter. This is my first grandchild, one that I never thought I would have, so I don't have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, but I am certainly counting on being carried! Because I am an older than normal grandmother, I am facing physical challenges and my heart is also burdened for my daughter. I know that His plan is always right so my prayers are for continued good health, extra endurance and the ability to parent my precious granddaughter until she can return to her home. She is a "little sponge" so I must be sure that she is surrounded by love and the knowledge of Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ!
Thank you, Mary, for featuring Betsy and I wish both of you continued blessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Pam, I'm sorry you have had to endure this situation. I am thankful that you were able to join us today and read about Becky's book that may provide some understanding. Please accept this cyber hug and wish for a wonderful day.
Oh Connie, what a huge issue! But you make it so clear that you love this little one. She is so blessed to be in your care. God knows about your health concerns. They may be eased at this time, and may not be. But what I do know is that God chose you to be her grandmother for a very important reason. I am so thankful that you have seen a calling to surround her with the love and knowledge of Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Blessings on you, Connie
I have definitely been carried for quite some time through a storm as we deal with issues with my husband's health. He is a Gulf War vet and it seems like each year brings more issues. Thanks so much for the giveaway! This looks like a great read!
mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom
Hi Melissa,
I am so for the continued issues you and your husband face, but am so thankful that God has shown Himself evident, His love, and His presence in your lives.
I'm so glad you joined us today!
Congrats on your marriage Patty! Aren't we all a work in progress? :) Thanks for stopping by!!
Thanks for stopping by Pam! I appreciate your sharing your heart that way with us. He is our Healer!!!
Wow, Connie. That is so huge. What an inspiration though. May God bless you and give you an abundance of all you need. Strength...joy...patience...hope...faith... He is our Provider. He's got this, and you! And your sweet family. Thanks for stopping by :) HUGS!!
Thank you Melissa!! Blessings!!
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