A few weeks ago I committed
to speaking to a book club in Texas. But I faced a problem.
I live just north of Dallas
and traffic is horrendous. I have very little sense of direction, but I do have
my trusty GPS. So arriving at my destination thirty miles away through heavy
traffic was not the problem.
Normally at a book club the
members all buy my book and then we discuss the book. This club operated
differently. They wanted a review of my book—by myself, the author. Well, that
sounded like loads of fun. I could give myself a five star review. So that was
not the problem.
I love to speak to book
clubs, but this club boasted almost one hundred members. I’d never spoken for one
hour to such a large group.
The problem is that I’m a
total introvert. I love speaking to book clubs because they are usually small,
intimate groups of between five and twelve people. I can do that.
So, a pall of dread descended
over me. The horror of speaking to a large group grew and magnified inside my
mind. I imagined I would look out over the group and freeze. I would forget
everything I had to say. My soft voice would not carry to the audience. Since
this was a secular group, there might be a heckler—a person who didn’t like
inspirational writers.
And so my dread grew.
Since I’ve become a writer,
the Lord has taken me far out of my comfort zone so many times I should be
accustomed to the nerves and tension. But I’m not.
Just a few days before my
scheduled talk, I was in a mental and emotional frenzy.
As I was thinking on my
problem, God brought to my mind another time He’d forced me out of my comfort
zone. During that experience He’d given me a precious verse. Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord Himself goes
before you, and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do
not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
And God had gone before me,
and He had smoothed the way. The moment the Lord brought that verse back to my
mind, every shed of fear left me. I looked back at what He had done and I enjoyed
complete peace. The peace lasted until the speech, during the speech, and after
the speech.
The talk was a success, and I
actually enjoyed myself in front of that audience.
So, once again, God taught me
that I don’t need to slip outside my comfort zone alone. He goes before me, and
He is always with me. Even in something as insignificant as speaking to a
group. Isn’t God wonderful? Claiming His promises leads to peace and joy.
ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and
gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won three prestigious book awards. The sequel Marriage
By Arrangement released November, 2013. A
Texas Christmas Mystery also won awards. Anne’s highest hope is that her
stories transport the reader to awesome new worlds and touch hearts to seek a
deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Anne makes her home in
McKinney, Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one and
Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. Anne loves to talk with her readers. View Anne’s books,
travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.
Buy Anne’s books at http://www.PelicanBookGroup.com.
Or at other online retailers. Visit http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com
for information on writing an award-winning novel. Talk with Anne on twitter at
@TheAnneGreene. Visit Anne’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/AnneWGreeneAuthor.
Anne loves to talk with her readers.
