PRAYER, FAITH, AND GUTS: Determined To Make It!

The "why" behind the memoir, in the author's words.

I’m a bit nervous - this is new territory for me. What do I mean by new territory? Being a guest contributor on a blog. WHAT?! Please, allow me to start from the beginning. I’ve heard of a blog before; however, I was clueless of what it really was. So, I visited my cousin Jayla’s Blog to find out, and let me tell you, I LOVED everything about it! And I’m not just saying that because she is family. No really, it is really, really, (in my Oprah voice) really good, and I was, and still am, super proud and amazed. After learning that her blog was open to guest-contributors, being an author myself, I jumped at the opportunity, and the rest is history.

Now, let’s get started. For many years, I said that I was going to write a book; and for a long time, that’s all I did- was say it. On September 20, 2018, God spoke these words to my mom, and she then spoke them to me: “No one can alter the plans that I have for you.” Isn’t that great news? Do you believe that? My Mom surely does!

Inspired, I sat down and began writing Prayer, Faith, and Guts Determined To Make It! . By the beginning of 2019, I had it published. I finally accomplished what I said I was going to do and it felt wonderful. I had never written a book, I didn’t have any experience nor did I have anyone to help me, but, I got it done by the grace of God.

This book is dedicated to my mom. I want to give her flowers while she's alive, well, and in her right frame of mind. I want to acknowledge and share her story with others while she is here and present. I often think about how when people pass away, we say the most beautiful things about them. We get t-shirts made with their picture on them (I told my family we are NOT doing that t-shirt thing), we present flowers and poems, reflect on a lifetime's worth of pictures, and reminisce a lot. There is nothing wrong with any of that, except for the reality that the person is no longer here to soak in all of that goodness, only the loved ones left behind. That fueled me to write, as I was going to make sure that my mom would know how I felt about her NOW!

Prayer, Faith, and Guts: Determined To Make It! Is a faith-based book where I share some of mom’s life and faith experiences. Within each chapter, readers are taken on the journey that is my mother's life. They get a glimpse of the trials and challenges of a fatherless childhood , and ultimately come to learn of the deepening and strengthening faith that continues to sustain her life. Chapter one starts with the question, “Who Am I?", however, by chapter eight, entitled “Who I Am.”, my mother finds the answer of a lifetime.

On June 20, 2022, a billboard of my book was on display. It was an amazing moment as I felt that I had given my mom her flowers and shared her testimony as I had hoped. Prayer, Faith, and Guts: Determined To Make It! is an easy read, and is available both in print and audiobook form on Amazon, and on Xulon Press's online bookstore.

Life is but a vapor, so show and share love with those you care about NOW! We really don’t have time because we never know when time is up.

Thanks Jayla! ∞

Thanks for your submission, Janice! Be sure to check out PRAYER, FAITH and GUTS: DETERMINED TO MAKE IT today!

Want to share your work as well? Contact me here.