Three years ago today, I got sick. I got sick, and I never got better. I was newly fourteen and looking forward to learning how to drive, to picking summer berries, and learning to salmon fish. But instead, I found myself sick, and not getting better. But I’d would be soon, right? Apparently not. To think, I was impressed when I reached the point where I could say I’d been sick for an entire month. Oh, ignorant, innocent young Sara.
Three years later, I’m seventeen and anticipating entering my senior year of high school. I still can’t drive… illness does that to you. I’m still sick… but healing. A lot has happened since that summer day three years ago. Both good and bad. But this is where I find myself, and today I’m rejoicing.
Today I’m declaring victory. The is my resurrection day. Because out of the illness, under the pressure, God has brought forth a diamond. Out of the ashes, He has exposed beauty. In the brokenness, this is where His light is shining through. And I praise Him. God truly works all things together for the good of those who love Him. July 23rd will no longer just be a painful anniversary of another year lost, but a celebration of all that God has done, and of His all-consuming grace and love.
I’ll confess when I woke up this morning, I was not excited. The day I’d been dreaming of for so long… and I was discouraged, worried, and struggling. You see, as you know if you’ve been stalking me on Instagram, almost everything has been going wrong for the publication of this book (when so much of it really shouldn’t have for any reason), and when I woke up this morning, it still wasn’t ready.
But right by God’s grace and miraculous power, it is. Everything went through right at the last minute even easier than I could have hoped for.
And now… I can’t stop beaming. (And bouncing around every few minutes, I can’t contain myself.) God is so good. Maybe this sound cliche, but if you could hear my voice right now, you’d know that I meant this with all my heart. God is so good, and this book could NOT have happened without Him. There is so much to tell you about what He did in the publication of this book, I’ll be writing a full post about it in the future. But know for now, please join me in praising our glorious King. Blessed be His name!
Also (hehe, as if this whole post isn’t about that): IT’S RELEASE DAY!!!! *gasps* Can you believe it?! Today we have an awesome queue of bloggers helping me celebrate, and tomorrow I’ll be hosting a live Instagram party (at which I’ll be doing an author Q & A, not to mention giving away a signed copy of my book He’s Making Diamonds!)
I FINALLY get to share this book with you! After so long and so much patient waiting on your part, the day is here! Head to Amazon to download your Kindle book right away, or order your paperback version so you can have it as soon as Wednesday (if you order it now)! For those who have preordered, be sure to collect your bonus content here. 😉
Are you a teenager trying to navigate faith through chronic illness? I’m here to tell you, you are not alone.
When sickness takes over your life, it’s a never-ending battle to make it through each day. How do you cope? How do you keep fighting? Most of all though, how do you find God in the midst of the suffering?
Through my own journey of sickness, I’ve struggled with the same questions—questions we all think but are afraid to ask. My name is Sara, and I’ve been sick with Lyme disease and more since I was fourteen.
Those questions you’re afraid to ask? I’ve asked them too—as have many others.
This book addresses topics and questions such as:
- Why is there sickness?
- Where is God in sickness?
- Resting in the storm
- How to deal with the way chronic illness changes you
- Joy and despair
- Hope
- Praying through chronic illness
- Relationships in the midst of chronic illness
- And more!
The journey of illness is not an easy one, but hope remains. God hasn’t left us. He hasn’t forgotten us. On the contrary, He’s making diamonds out of us.
(Also, don’t forget the foreword is written by Jon Steingard, the frontman for the band Hawk Nelson!)
If you’re still here (I really think you should be reading the book by now, but perhaps I’m biased 😉 ), on to more celebrations!
Today on the blog tour, we’ll be visiting the following awesome blogs:
https://onamission2read.wordpress.com/ – Book Review
https://stargazersforhim.wordpress.com – Author Interview
http://faithblum.wordpress.com – Author Interview
www.haileyhudson.wordpress.com – Special Post
https://litaflame.weebly.com/ – Book Review
https://thepeculiarmessenger.wordpress.com/ – Book Spotlight
Finally, for those who are anxious for an audiobook, never fear! I know that sometimes illness makes audiobooks easier, so that will also be coming out in the next month. 😀