Jerusha: I’m delighted to welcome my good friend and fellow author, Stacey Weeks, to the FW Blog! Stacey is giving away one print copy of To Sweet Beginnings in Sycamore Hill, to one of you! So read on and enter the giveaway below!
By Stacey Weeks
In general, the Western world—and many in the church—do not know what to do when confronted with fearsome circumstances or unexpected suffering. We need only to observe the world as it navigates out of a global catastrophe that has torn through churches and communities to see that God’s people haven’t always suffered well amidst the fearsome unknown. Yet our responses have the power to either draw others to the Lord or drive them away. How we represent Christ while we face our fear matters.
This is part of the reason I love writing fiction. It’s therapeutic to craft characters who love the Lord and then put them into situations where God stretches and tests their faith. It helps me work through impossible choice scenarios, consider how to rebound after failure, and how to seek the Lord humbly.
Meet Meg Gilmore
Meg Gilmore seeks more than an absence of anxiety, fear, or stress. If that’s all that inner peace required, her twisted insides would have smoothed out when she escaped her abusive ex and resettled in the small town of Sycamore Hill. But the peace she sought didn’t come through removing the source of tension.
Meg wants the Lord to remove the root of her fear (like her ex trying to extort her). She wants God to save the ancient tree that’s become her safe space. But neither would guarantee her the kind of peace that remains when the storms rage. She needs a peace that is different from the world’s peace (John 14:27). A peace that doesn’t come through the removal of trials but from enduring the trials with a trust that what the enemy meant for destruction will be the very vehicle God uses to strengthen her soul.
Meet Eli Martin
Eli’s need to control his environment feeds feelings of anxiousness and challenges his theology. Which is true? His chaotic feelings or God’s promise of peace?
His flesh whispers that failure is guaranteed, but the Spirit says he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Phil 4:13).
His flesh pushes people (and God) away, but wisdom says to humbly seek the Lord, and God will meet every need (Phil 4:19).
His flesh screams there is not enough time, but the Spirit reminds him there has always been enough time when he keeps the Lord first (Matt 6:33).
Yesterday, fear overwhelmed him.
Today, he starts again with the Lord and trusts Him for another day.
God’s mercies are new every morning. He is faithful (Lam 3:22-23). Eli knows this. Now, he has to live like he believes this.
The Sycamore Standoff
Meg and Eli fight for biblical thinking one day (one hour!) at a time, and they learn to live and focus on each day as it comes, not worrying about tomorrow (Matt 6:34). Peace follows this battle for their minds.
It is exhausting but freeing. It feels dangerous yet is safe. It provides no answers, but it causes them to depend on the One who holds the answers, and that is why it brings peace within circumstances that haven’t changed.
Meg’s fearsome past still exists. Eli can’t control the present. Yet peace anchors them—to God and each other.
Perfect Peace in the Face of Fear
Managing our circumstances will never bring lasting peace—the darkness and pervasiveness of sin roots far too deep than that.
Instead, peace comes with an understanding that God uses suffering to accomplish far more extraordinary things than He would by removing suffering.
Like Eli and Meg, I’ve found God in the blessings and provisions of life, but the spectacular sights and rewards that come from the harder work of seeking God in difficulty are even more precious.
God has strengthened me to endure and revealed that nothing I fear can limit His hand.
Have you experienced God’s peace in the midst of trials? How has His peace helped you conquer your fear? Please share!
Photos by M.T. ElGassier, Kien Do, and Aleksandr Ledogorov. Original graphics designed by Christen Krumm.
Stacey Weeks is a ministry wife, mother of three teenagers, and a sipper of hot tea with honey. She loves to open the Word of God and share the hope of Christ with women. She is a multi-award-winning author, the primary home educator of her children, and a frequent conference speaker. Stacey has a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Ministry from Heritage College and Seminary, and she is working toward a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counselling. Connect with Stacey on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and head over to her website where you can sign up for her newsletter for a free copy of her short story Under the Summer Mistletoe!
Stacey is giving away one copy of To Sweet Beginnings in Sycamore Hill! Enter via the Rafflecopter below! (Giveaway ends July 5, 2022. Due to shipping costs, we can only mail to a US mailing address.)
Sweet Beginnings in Sycamore Hill
When a disgraced woman’s return entangles the lives of five couples, twenty-four hours changes everything forever.
A whistleblower speaks up, and she tips the first domino of a twenty-four-hour chain reaction on the eve of Sycamore Hill’s most important holiday event.
A baker gets a career-making opportunity, a reporter chases the truth, a woman faces her greatest fear, and a lost child returns as the dominos continue to fall.
The residents of Sycamore Hill approach a new year, and five couples celebrate sweet beginnings filled with endless possibilities in this short story sequence introducing a new five-book series.
The Sycamore Standoff
She wants independence. He wants her affections. They’ll have to face her past for any chance of a future.
Escaping an abusive boyfriend, Meg Gilmore finds refuge in Sycamore Hill. She’s particularly drawn to a 250-year-old tree she names Alfred. Like her, Alfred is a survivor, and the shade beneath its protective branches is her go-to place for solace. When a construction firm slates the majestic tree for destruction, Meg resolves to save Alfred. But Meg underestimates an adversary who refuses to yield to her requests to work around the tree.
Eli Martin’s family money is as old as the tree Meg is desperate to save. Attracted to Meg from day one, he sees Meg’s campaign to save Alfred as his chance to seal her affections. The best way to fight big business is to attack them in the pocketbook, and he devises a plan that Meg’s adversary won’t be able to afford to fight.
When Meg’s ex arrives, Eli once again rises to her aid. However, Meg insists he can’t simply throw money at problems to make them go away.
Together they face what truly terrifies Meg, finding freedom and love in the most unlikely places.
Comments 61
Thanks for having me on the blog today!
Author
It’s great to have you here, Stacey! Thanks for the encouraging post!
Thanks for the post on fear…something we all need to deal with.
Sounds like a lovely read. Looking forward to it!
Good luck in the draw for the series starter.
And thank you for commenting! I find interaction in the comment section on blogs so much fun.
Thank you for sharing. Sounds like I would enjoy this. Blessings
Thanks for commenting. Good luck in the draw for the series starter.
Enjoyed reading this. Very appropriate for me right now!
I’m glad you were encouraged. I pray the Lord’s blessing on you as you seek Him in your circumstances. (And good luck in the draw!)
Totally sounds like an author I’d love to read! Thanks so much for sharing!
Your enthusiasm made my day! I hope you pick up The Sycamore Standoff and enjoy it. Good luck in the draw for the series starter.
I will! Thank you so much Stacey!!
You’re welcome.
Knowing His word and seeking Him has given me peace in the midst of trials, and the craziness of life.
Amen! God’s Word is my anchor in this crazy world. He is the only constant. Good luck in the draw for the series starter.
This books sounds amazing. I would love to read it.
Hi PJ, I hope you get the chance to read The Sycamore Standoff. I’ve really enjoyed writing this series. Good luck in the draw for the series starter, To Sweet Beginnings in Sycamore Hill.
What a cute cover!
Thanks, Natalya. I love how all the covers in the series turned out. So fun and bright. Good luck in the draw.
Sounds like a lovely read
Thank you, It was a fun story to write. Good luck in the draw.
l liked the article. Very nicely done!
Thank you, Sunnie. I hope you were encouraged.
The book sounds terrific. Thanks for your great generosity.
Good luck, Linda! The draw is for the series starter. Book one is available for purchase now if you want to start reading. Enjoy!!
This sounds like one I would love to read.
I hope you read the entire series 🙂 I have LOVED visiting Sycamore Hill. A new title releases every three months. Book one is out now. Book two comes out in September. Good luck in the draw for the series starter (short story collection).
I always enjoy your monthly emails. Thank you for this opportunity to maybe win a free book! Blessings to you and yours!
Jerusha does have a great newsletter!
Enjoyable post with a lot of food for thought. Thanks!
Would love the opportunity to read and review “To Sweet Beginnings in Sycamore Hill”. Thank you for the c
Good luck, Kay. I hope you get the chance to read the entire series.
This book sounds and looks like a great read. I enjoyed reading the blurb and it makes me want to read the print format of this book.
I sure would love to read & review this book in print format and love books like this.
There should be more books out there like this and ones that encourage you for as much turmoil this world is in,
chaos and so much more.
If you ever read and review the titles, I’d love to hear what you thought, Crystal. Thanks for commenting, and good luck in the draw.
Hi! Thanks for the chance to win this!
You’re welcome, and good luck!
I really enjoyed reading about the book and think it will be a very interesting read! Thanks for the opportunity!
It was also nice to find a new author and I can’t wait to read your books!
I hope you enjoy them, MJ. I also like Christian fiction with substance, and it’s nice to find readers who also appreciate the struggle of living our faith represented in the story. Good luck in the draw.
I really like stories that make faith a real part of the story. This book sound like this, so would love to win!
Hi Becky, I agree. I like stories that make faith real as well. Good luck in the draw.
Thanks!
You’re welcome.
thank you
You’re welcome, Gloria. Good luck in the draw.
sounds like a wonderful book, love this genre of books
Me too, Deborah! I love contemporary because I can easily relate to it. Good luck in the draw.
Peace…. that is not a word we hear often enough today. We are in turmoil, but it is refreshing to know where we can find peace in God. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Tammy, thanks for commenting. We are in such turmoil. knowing the peace of God is what grounds me. Good luck in the draw.
Sounds like a great read, and I love the cute cover.
I’m glad you love the cover, Anita. I thought it was very sweet and genre-appropriate.
Sounds like a great read Love the cover!
Thanks, Sarah, for your kind words about the covers. I love them, too! Good luck in the draw.
Hi this book sounds like a great read and I love the book cover. Have a great week.
Hi Alicia,
I was thrilled with both covers for these stories. I’m glad you like them as well. Good luck in the draw.
Oh, the peace of Yeshua! I really enjoyed reading this blog!! I would love to read this book as well as the series 🙏♥️. Thank you for the chance to win this book.
Hi Lana, thanks for commenting. I hope you love visiting Sycamore Hill as much as I do.
Sounds like a great series! I love the deeper themes!
Hi Melissa, I’m with you. I like a book with substance. Good luck in the draw.
Love this!
Thanks, Lily. Good luck in the draw.
Great post. This is something that I’ve had to learn after my husband left. To lean on God and the peace that only He can offer. The book sounds wonderful, and I look forward to reading it.
Thanks for commenting, Nicole. I pray the Lord will continue to be your peace in this broken world.