Laura J. Davis

I love books! I receive about three or four in the mail each week for review. My pile has grown quite large and can get distracting,especially when I'm in the middle of writing my own. But everytime I open my mailbox and see another stuffed envelope or box I get excited.

This love of books began when I was in public school. Fairy tales, adventures, picture books - anything that would whisk me away to another land was fine by me. I was the first one in line when the book mobile came to our school and I was the last one to leave. When our school library needed volunteers, I jumped at the opportunity. I felt like a kid in a candy store! When it was time for recess I would be inside cataloguing books and when I could, finding a corner to read my favourite book series, "Little House on the Prairie". What girl didn't read those books growing up? 

At home and at school, my love of singing, combined with my love of reading, led me to write poems and then songs. In  highschool, while I spent a great deal of time singing, I also took creative writing classes and after highschool, I took more classes in writing. At the time, I was heavily involved in singing ministry, so I couldn't quite figure out, why I was so interested in learning how to write a novel.  I didn't believe I would actually write anything or do anything with that skill. Any stories I wrote were for my eyes only! In fact, the first writing class I took, the author (who had several books published) shared some wise words of advice - "If you think you are going to make thousands of dollars writing - think again! Writing," she said, "Is not a good way to make a living." She was right.

Since I was singing for a living, I wasn't too concerned. I knew what I would be doing until the day I died - and it wouldn't be writing. But God knew better.He designed me with a love of music, reading and writing. He saw the big picture and prepared me for the day when singing would no longer be an option and writing would be.

Sometimes,God takes us places that we don't want to go. Life is going along at a merry pace and then wham! Everything changes. We lose our jobs, we get sick, we have to move away from our family and friends. Any number of things can happen that we aren't prepared for. Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem impossible. But nothing is impossible with God. He tells us in His word that He has a plan for us: For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Are you going through a difficult time right now? Know this - God loves you and is giving you the opportunity to trust Him. You can cower in fear at the events going on in your life, or you can start another chapter and let the adventure begin!