Today I welcome Linda Shenton Matchett as she shares about her plans, God's plans, and the outcome.

When I signed up to be a guest on Donna’s blog, I indicated that I’d be talking about my new series. With visions of John Jake’s North and South saga, I outlined four books about a family of siblings and tentatively planned two more associated series about children and grandchildren. I was having health problems at the time and going through testing to determine the cause, but confident I could get the books written. I did manage to finish the first one.

But God had other plans.

My diagnosis came through, and treatment commenced. I plugged away at my writing, but found it difficult to focus. Devising plot and scene ideas was a struggle. Interestingly, writing blog posts and conducting research was easy. Newsletters too. So, with great disappointment I set aside my series and concentrated on blogging and social media. I read lots of nonfiction and made lists of topics I could use later for stories, then researched those topics. As a result, I’ve got story ideas to last a lifetime. J

Treatment caused insomnia, and I initially spent a lot of nights railing at God, complaining, and asking Him why He’d let this happen to me. Despite my attitude, He showered me with love. I could feel His presence in the darkness, supporting me and wrapping His arms around me. I never once felt His judgment for my whining and doubt. Rejuvenated, I began to spend the sleepless nights in prayer, thanking Him for being with me. I learned to be thankful in spite of my circumstances, not because of them. Let me tell you, it was a tough lesson to learn and took many weeks.

Several months passed after I ended my treatment before my fiction brain resurfaced. But my series is still sitting on the shelf because of other writing commitments I made before my diagnosis. Will I get to it? Only God knows.

What I do know is that I’m no longer anxious about the unfinished series. What I do know is that by resting in God’s plan, I’m exactly where I need to be and writing exactly what I need to write. My recent release, Estelle’s Endeavor, part of the Thanksgiving Books & Blessings series, takes place during World War II. The theme? Being thankful in spite of circumstances.

May you find rest if God’s sovereignty and His perfect plans for you.

About Estelle's Endeavor:

Will a world at war destroy a second chance at love?

Estelle Johnson promised to wait for Aubry DeLuca, but then she receives word of his debilitating injuries. Does she have the strength to stand by him in his hour of need?

Aubry DeLuca storms the beaches at Normandy, then wakes up in the hospital, his eyes bandaged. Will he regain his sight? Will the only woman he’s ever loved welcome him home or is he destined to go through life blind and alone?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3BkTmw6

About Linda: Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. She is a volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Linda was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She now makes her home in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring the outdoors and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

Connect online:

Website/Blog: http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LindaShentonMatchettAuthor

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4b-o_6cD8HkHNyFP-wZwJg

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-shenton-matchett