As you now know, we planned for months to film the video trailer for this new book – invited girls, sent out tweets and reminders, made announcements. I prayed as I perhaps haven’t prayed before for this type of thing. I know the importance of images and story and how video brings a message to life. I want this to be awesome.
They called for rain the day of the shoot, the only rain all week. They said it would be severe, and by 10 am we had to make a decision. We chose to postpone the outdoor shoot until the next day. We didn’t want to get rained on.
Well, the weather was severe, indeed – severely bright. The sun came out and bathed the neighborhood with warm summer light. Never even one raindrop.
We tried not to curse the weatherman.
The next day was supposed to be clear all day long but by afternoon, the sky that was holding itself together with heavy gray hands chose to spread out fingers and turn palms down, releasing the heaviest downpour we’ve seen in a month.
Three of us shared an umbrella to my car but the rain was so heavy we were soaked anyway.
Hours later, there was a break in the rain just long enough for us to get what we needed and not a minute longer. I asked for a feast but got manna instead.
Through the whole process, I became aware of my reluctance to ask and be specific in prayer, especially when it doesn’t involve life, death, or someone else. I’ve been paying more attention to how I pray and the words I use. I’ve been stunned to realize how timid I can sometimes be.
Praying for this video felt a safe place to practice courage and to pray boldly for some things. I don’t think it means I was wrong to ask. I just think the answer was no.
I’m not worried about the outcome as we have an amazing team in charge of this whole thing. But I’ve learned about myself in the past week and that’s not always fun. It’s usually good, though. Even in these very small-in-the-scope-of-life things, we learn and grow and become a little more fully ourselves. I can’t wait to see the finished product in a few weeks. You’ll be the first to know.
PS. I got my first copy of the book in the mail on Friday. In the days and weeks ahead, Graceful will start showing up in a bookstore near you. Or you can pre-order your copy for less than $9 here, here, or here. I hope you will.
Very thoughtful post. I found your blog via Jeff Goins. Our prayers do not go unanswered, do they. We just don’t always appreciate the answer. Your video shoot sounds like my wedding day. Enough sun for the pictures and rain the rest of the day – but it was enough.
Lisa Hall-Wilson´s last [type] ..Vertical Garden: Fail
You have such a humble and teachable heart. I am sorry about the rain. But thankful you know you can totally trust the Lord. Not the weatherman, obviously. But the Lord.
I just sent my youth pastor’s wife a link to this new book. I really am excited about it. Not just saying that. I so want my girls to know about grace. My oldest is 11. Do you think that age would be ready for this book? I pray that I, with my try-hard ways over her past 11 years, have not done too much damage. Trusting God to heal and help me lead her into the truth I am learning myself.
Blessings, Emily.
Kimberly´s last [type] ..Powerful Peace and Some Pretty Cool Shoes
“I don’t think it means I was wrong to ask. I just think the answer was no.”
So much in that. The clarity is freeing, sometimes scary, and sometimes scary becomes exhilarating. I have lessons in that from time to time, and now is one of those times. Thank you.
I was so inspired reading Grace For The Good Girl, I just pre-ordered your new book for my 15 year old daughter, who – surprise! – has inherited so many of my good girl tendencies. I can’t wait to share this message with her..
awesome. I hope she likes it.
Yes, like graduating your last one from high school and hoping for some new horizons, and then your son and family move in with you. Not exactly what I wanted for my new horizons!
God has a plan and I wish it were REST for me!
Bless you for your book!
Diane McElwain´s last [type] ..Standing Firm at Windy Ridge
Makes me think of Shaun Groves’ song “Enough”, you got it, just enough.
Tracey´s last [type] ..For the Love of Carrots
Between A Year of Biblical Womanhood, Perfectly Unique, and Graceful, my daughter and I are going to have a great year talking about what it means to be a woman. I am so excited for all of these!
Caris Adel´s last [type] ..Deny the Lie – Yes, You Can
I think maybe I’m not understanding so forgive me but didn’t your prayers bring out good weather on the first occasion in spite of weather reports?
Yep. They sure did. But the forecast was for severe storms Friday night, and so we had to make a call in the early morning because people were traveling. And so we hated it, but felt like we should reschedule to the following day when the forecast said it would be pretty.
We pretty much trusted the forecast and lived to regret it.
I’ve seen it hold off.just…until…the last…person…was baptized in our pond.
Then the skies opened up.
(Glad you got what you needed, even if it might not have been what you wanted.)
~ Dana
Dana @ Cafe D´s last [type] ..Sometimes You Just Use What You’ve Got.
I preordered mine! I plan to use it for a teen Bible study that I teach each week. So excited!
Daune | Cottage in the Oaks´s last [type] ..Soda Can Art
I just finished reading The Circle Maker. Such a powerfully convicting book about prayer. I’m with you; my prayers need to be bolder. My faith needs to revel in His strength. God’s got the rain….and the video!
Rachel Wojnarowski (@RachelWojo)´s last [type] ..Bedtime Bible Promises Book Giveaway