Faithchick

It seems like I often try to eat my way through the holidays.
If not for the help of my Nacho Libre stretchy pants, I would not make it through. It starts with the children's Halloween candy...mostly, snickers and reese's. This segues into a plethora of birthday cake, both my husband, Scott and I have our birthdays in November.

We ramp it up for Thanksgiving to fill in the gaps with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. And let's not forget the Thanksgiving tradition of rocky road candy that my mom passed on to us...the one where you eat your fill of the treat until the bird is ready. It's a lovely chocolate filled tradition, really.

And then we are sliding into the Christmas season, pants a little tighter, faces a little fuller as we light into Christmas cookies and candy canes and clove studded ham and sips of sparkling cider.

There is so much to celebrate. Neighborly good will and free candy. A year full of blessings. The birth of a Savior. Feasting seems the way to go in my mind. But just reading through this list makes me think a good cleanse is in order....lemon water, anyone?

Maybe it's time to fill up on something else during these holy days. So I am trying to go into this advent season with a new frame of mind...smaller portions of gravy and larger helpings of grace. Fewer sugar cookies inhaled and more time spent with friends. An expectation of seeing God in a new way in this time of year that is usually so frantic and fraught with to do lists. A concerted effort to be a blessing to those around me and engage in the wonder of the season. His season. I'm thinking there is a way to be full without having to wear my stretchy pants. Full of joy. Full of hope. Full of love. And I can't wait.

Are You a Heroine?

I’ve always been intrigued by the story of Deborah in the Old Testament book of Judges. She was described as “a mother in Israel,” yet when the leaders were too fearful to obey God and protect the nation, she rode into battle. As I created the character of Susan, in The Restorer, I drew inspiration from Deborah and explored how a similar heroic calling might play out in a modern-day woman facing an extraordinary adventure.

Susan Mitchell thought she was an ordinary soccer mom, but she was wrong. When she’s pulled through a portal into another world, she finds a nation waiting for a promised Restorer to save their people. While she struggles to adapt to a foreign culture, she tackles an enemy that is poisoning the minds of the people, uncovers a corrupt ruling Council, and learns that God can use even her floundering attempts at service in surprising ways.

God often uses ordinary people in unexpected ways. I truly believe that many women live lives of quiet heroism – whether their battleground is caring for aging parents, raising a child with a disability, fighting a long-term illness, volunteering at their church, or supporting a friend through difficulty. My hope is that Susan’s adventure in an alternate world breathes inspiration into anyone feeling that the road has been difficult in his or her world.

By the way, I'm super excited that The Restorer-Expanded Edition has just released! The book contains the complete original story, but also includes an interactive Bible-study guide for readers who want to dig into the spiritual themes of the book, bonus scenes providing glimpses of the story through a variety of characters, and fun extras including links to songs and recipes. It's also available on Kindle and Nook.

Sharon Hinck