Sweet Success —Guest Post by Jennifer Elwood
Sweet Success
After a fundamental failure…
Have you ever experienced sweet success after a fundamental failure?
That is exactly how my first book came about and I would love to share the ups and down of writing Counting Up To Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke with you. Three years in the making, this labor of love is finally ready to help usher the Gospel of Luke into many hearts this Christmas.
My journey through the book of Luke each December began when I perused an article in 2009 suggesting to read a chapter a day in December. Because the book of Luke contains twenty-four chapters, the month ties up in a perfect bow. December 1st begins with the cry of our Savior and King born into poverty amongst the lowing of animals. On Christmas Eve, we hear the astonished cries from witnesses at an empty tomb. The timing is sheer perfection.
The writing of this study began three years ago, when I neglected my annual reading. That year, I led an online Advent study for my church and was so busy I forgot to begin! Around December 10th, I panicked. But, the Holy Spirit used my ’mistake’ to nudge me. That book idea I prayed about for years? It was time to write this Christmas practice of reading Luke into a Bible study. I asked the Lord when to begin, and it seemed a summer of Christmas music was in my future.
In June, with three weeks' notice, we decided to spend the first day of summer vacation traveling to Disney World. As we finished up a hectic school year and hurriedly stuffed suitcases to prepare to leave, the thought crossed my mind to begin reading Luke, but I put it off. Little did I know the Lord had plans to surprise and encourage me.
Disney World is the happiest place on earth . . . and also super stressful at times. As we entertained a 13-year old boy, and two girls ages 7 and 3—we wore ourselves out. One day, the kids wanted to change our plans at the last minute and I fussed myself into a tizzy. I reluctantly got swim gear ready for Blizzard Beach. As we entered the waterpark, however, I could barely believe my ears.
Christmas music.
All day long, heaven-sent Christmas music washed over my heart and I became convinced: it was time to begin. I read Luke 1 that night. On July 25th, Christmas in July, I started to write chapter 1.
A few years later, here I am with a published book in hand and I’m so grateful. Since we are all creatives here, I want to tell you something—you can do this too! (Or again!)
There are a few things I’d love to recommend to you that helped me finish strong. One is to join a solid, Christian writing group that will equip you on the journey. I joined the Flourish Writers Academy last year and it was exactly what I needed. A mastermind group was part of this process, and having a group of like-minded Christ followers to be accountable to was invaluable. I scheduled writing blocks and other tasks I would complete and checked in every few weeks.
And lastly, recruit prayer warriors who are lifting up your writing efforts. The effect of a praying sisterhood will bolster you when you have doubts. This was particularly helpful to me, especially since this year, full of lock-downs, illnesses, and a contentious election, caused the world to feel so uncertain.
If you decide to check out my book, I would be so grateful! Expect to experience the Gospel of Luke as you count up to Christmas with all 5 senses. Each day opens with an image from Israel or a photo I created to engage you in the focus verse that day. There is a teaching, prayer, a prompt for “Christmas Quietude” and journaling, and ends with a worship recommendation. You can check all this out on my website at www.jenniferelwood.com. This month, I also have a subscriber bonus of a Counting Up To Christmas Recipe book that includes all of the foods I included in my book and a few other yummies. The book is available in Kindle and Paperback at Amazon.com.
Finish Strong.
Join a solid, Christian writing group that will equip you on the journey.
Jennifer Elwood resides in Yakima, Washington. She is a lover of Jesus, wife of Tom, mom of three, and bonus mom and grandma of many. She enjoys rich coffee, European chocolate, and the color orange. Going to Israel for the first time in 2015 sparked her desire to write and she has not stopped since. Counting Up to Christmas: Twenty-Four Gifts from the Gospel of Luke is her first book. Stay up to date with her, download freebies, and receive the recipe book that accompanies Counting Up To Christmas, at www.jenniferelwood.com.
