Planning something? Then, I’m sure you’ve heard the quote… it’s pretty popular…
If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans.
A well-known quote from Woody Allen.
Boy, is it true!
At the beginning of the year, I took time a few days planning all of my books in regards to writing, editing, Beta testing, and publishing. Detailed plans based by the month of what I need to accomplish to stick to my plan…
Well, it’s May and I’m not on schedule anymore… Beta testing for book five hasn’t started, I’ve barely worked on writing book six, and well the fourth novel…
I’ve promoted my fourth novel, Renewed by Grace heavily through the month of April with a launch date set for April 30.
There were NO problems with all of my planning, all was going well, and then BAM…
My fourth novel was published and it listed for $200!
Oops! I need to change that…
Quick fix… Wait… NOT CHANGED…
Try again… Fix… Wait… NOT CHANGED… AGAIN!
Contacted Amazon and it took around a week to get it changed.
That’s okay. I’m trusting God, going with the flow, believing he has a purpose, a plan for this test…
While I’m waiting to get the price right, I order Author copies. They only cost the price of printing, but they take MUCH LONGER than the two-day Amazon arrival date.
WEEKS later, finally the large box of books arrived. I open the box and I’m stunned speechless.
They’re BROWN not ORANGE! How?
Maybe it’s just the lighting in my home. I’ll take them to work to sell and it will be fine.
Get to work, set them out… Nope, still BROWN!
ARRGGHHH. I felt like Charlie Brown at this point with the constant struggle.
I reached out to Amazon and well, long story short, they’re looking into it.
Saturday morning, I’m asking myself, “Lord, why?”
It’s been so easy before, little issues mostly as I learn the process, but no BIG problems once the book was live.
Now, this mess is affecting sales, lowering the standard of my brand because I’m failing my customers…
On and on, until late last night, while trying to fall asleep, I heard God say, “There’s a reason why faith and the word testing go hand-in-hand.”
*GULP…
The verses and quotes came rolling in about a Test mixed with Faith:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
Faith testing times can be Faith strengthening times. Unknown
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trials.” James 1:12
A faith that hasn’t been tested, can’t be trusted. Adrian Rogers
Going forward when the going gets rough is not a test of how tough you are, but how strong your faith is. Unknown
The situations that will stretch your faith most will be those times when life falls apart and God is nowhere to be found. Rick Warren
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Trials should not surprise us, or cause us to doubt God’s faithfulness. God sends trials to strengthen our trust in him. Edmund Clowney
And a personal favorite: The teacher is always quiet during a test.
So… where am I at with my book cover three weeks after the initial launch date…?
Well, it’s still brown. I’ve uploaded another cover a bit ago where I amped up the saturation of the orange. I’ll get a copy hopefully on Tuesday at the latest and go from there.
Building faith is hard… and NO ONE really enjoys the test to learn!
I feel sometimes I need one of those how’s my driving bumper stickers, asking people to call and report my driving but instead tell me how my faith’s holding on.
Am I learning my lesson?
Is God being glorified?
This test isn’t being wasted…
Thank you to everyone who has been patiently waiting for a copy of the paperback novel. I hope and pray to have this resolved to everyone’s satisfaction by the end of this week.
I posted a blog post with the first three chapters if you’re chomping at the bit and don’t want to buy the eBook and wait for the paperback. (Which I understand!) Click here to read more!
Stay tuned for more life lessons and as always…
Until next time, may God’s grace surround you,
