Are You Experiencing God’s Timing? by Sandra Ardoin

Sandra Ardoin_HeadshotSandra Ardoin is a multi-published author of short fiction who writes inspirational historical romance. Her Christmas novella, The Yuletide Angel, releases October 2014. She’s the married mother of a young adult and lives in North Carolina.

Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Sign up for her newsletter.

Are You Experiencing God’s Timing?

by Sandra Ardoin

One of the things I’ve heard (and have said) over and over is that God has perfect timing. Yes, He does. As writers, we sometimes forget that fact in our race to be published. When we receive the latest disheartening rejection, we look at it as having approached a hurdle to fall flat on our faces. We can forget that He has a plan for our lives, and that plan may not be ours, or be accomplished by the date or in a way we’ve chosen. It’s a plan He generally doesn’t reveal ahead of time.

Like every other writer striving to have a novel traditionally published, I have experienced my share of rejection and waiting. Each time, I’ve pacified myself with “God has perfect timing.” It seems better than whining, although I admit to doing that too.

When I decided to write a Christmas novella, I tried out different ideas. Like trying on clothes at the department store, I wrote several pages of various stories, looking for the perfect fit. Two months and a three-headed monster of a contemporary story later, I was running out of time to meet the deadline. I’m a v-e-e-r-r-y slow writer. The inability to like the novella and a particularly discouraging rejection had me throwing my hands up and wanting to give in. It was hopeless. But isn’t God the master of hopeless situations?

I couldn’t face either project, so I went back to stage one—the original ideas—and a historical with about 1,800 words that formed two inexplicable scenes and no STORY. As I read it, though, I really liked what I had written. Why had I wasted my time on the contemporary? Didn’t I know historicals were my genre? Soon, the words and a plot poured out. (I like to say God spit this story out.)

Within forty-five days, I had The Yuletide Angel written and edited, ready to submit. Within a week, I received a contract with an October release date. The publisher wasn’t even the one I originally planned to submit to. Do I know anything about God’s plans? Nope. Honestly, I’ve lived long enough that I should never be surprised by how He works.

Through this process I’ve been asked my favorite scripture. I have several, but two always stick out for me. The first is Isaiah 55:8-9. You know, those verses that tell us how God’s thoughts and ours are no where near being on the same level? His ways are so much higher than ours. The second, of course, is Jeremiah 29:11.

God has a plan for each of us. And, it’s all in His timing … where it belongs.

But wait! There’s more! I fell in love with a secondary character who will have his own story published in A Reluctant Melody, a novel (my full-length debut) that releases in January 2016.

More about The Yuletide Angel:Ardoin - TYA Cover

It’s Christmastime in 1890s Meadowmead, and someone is venturing out at night to leave packages at the homes of the needy. Dubbed The Yuletide Angel, no one knows the identity of this mysterious benefactor.

No one, except Hugh Barnes, a confirmed bachelor who finds himself drawn to the outwardly shy but inwardly bold Violet Madison, a young woman who risks her safety to help others.

When Violet confesses her fear of eviction from her childhood home, Hugh longs to rescue her. His good intentions are thwarted, however, when Hugh’s estranged brother shows up in town … and in Violet’s company.

But Violet faces an even bigger threat. A phantom figure lurks in the shadows, prepared to clip the wings of The Yuletide Angel.

Available at AMAZON and BARNES AND NOBLE

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Thanks for joining us, Sandra. God’s timing is always perfect–never late, but not too early either.

Have you experienced God’s perfect timing? I, for one, would love to hear your story. I could use another reminder of God’s blessings coming at the right time.

Blessings,

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