They are designed to blend in. Placed under ledges and hidden corners.
Their messages wind their way through humanity’s busy crowds and we follow them, without realizing they are there.
It’s time to stop, look, and notice. Pay attention and use discernment.
Am I really following the right path?
Maybe we are and maybe we aren’t. Perhaps that answer is different for everyone… I don’t know. I think it’s okay not to know. But it’s still important to ask.
Are you an open book to family, friends, and even strangers?
Some might view this as a bad thing, but is it really?
An open and honest heart is a beautiful thing. It means there is natural trust flourishing inside. The gates are not closed. A guard and a lookout are always important things to place at an entrance, and it takes practice to get the balance of open and careful right. But someone who can trust, someone who can share… Their halls are filled with light and trust me, a warm welcome doesn’t mean there aren’t exciting mysteries to discover while getting to know them.
I have often been called an open book in the past, but I found myself losing that natural trust in the last few years.
Today my prayer is we would all learn to once again open our gates and trust.
Listen to the crowning leaves Their glory days proceed with ease, The wind gives to them a voice. They shout, with shaking leaves, rejoice. First time snow has run away Autumn has another day.
Leaves of gold shimmering shine Their dying days a heaven shrine They do not weep as down they fall They lay their royal carpet for all And all can play in piles of gold Rich or poor, young or old.
Soon their gold will turn to brown But in their cries there is no frown It’s well known they’ve earned their rest A golden crown marks them as blessed The first time snow has come and gone So autumn sings us one last song.
‘Pause’ is one of the 36 poems in my new poetry collection, ‘Words of Weight’. Now available at Amazon as an ebook and paperback book. Or barrow it with the Kindle Unlimited program.
If you have read my new book, please consider leaving an honest review. Each one is important regardless of star value, and we appreciate each one.
The glory of a mountain peak Is like a friend who doesn’t speak Light that plays on glass like lake Almost moves a heart to break But if it breaks this pain is kind It only serves as a remind There are many friends beyond mankind
In honor of Indie Author Day, I’m proud to be a part of an amazing giveaway of over 30 clean & Christian indie books across all genres! Two lucky winners—one US and one international—will win a slew of signed books, ebooks, and book swag like stickers and bookmarks! Contemporary romance authors like Storm Shultz and Havelah McLat, fantasy authors like M.C. Kennedy and Stefanie Lozinski, and nonfiction authors such as Karen Brough and Aminata Coote are giving away their sweet romances, epic fantasies, devotionals and journals, and more! Make sure to enter for a chance to win between November 1st and November 7th!
Indie Author Giveaway
Rules
The giveaway begins Nov. 1st at 12am EST and ends Nov. 7th 12pm EST.
Open to US and international entrants. Entrants under 18 will need parental permission to enter. There will be TWO winners—one inside the US and one outside. The intl. winner will receive digital prizes—no physical prizes will be included UNLESS the intl. winner resides in the same country as one or more of our intl. authors and they are willing to ship prizes.
The US winner must provide their shipping information and, if applicable, the intl. winner may have to as well.
The giveaway is hosted by Grace A. Johnson, but she is not responsible for any shipping issues or issues/concerns with the prizes except for the ones she offers personally. The giveaway is not affiliated with any of the platforms—i.e., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok—on which it may be shared, or with its internet host, Rafflecopter.
The winners will be announced on Grace’s social platforms (her blog, Facebook, and Instagram) and notified by her through their email.
All entrants are required to provide their email address to confirm their entry. Any other information (i.e., social media handles) is contingent upon which entry methods they choose. To enter, entrants may (1) subscribe to all the authors’ email newsletters, (2) share the giveaway on social media or with a friend, OR (3) follow one or more authors on their primary social media platform. Entrants may pick and choose which of these tasks to complete to qualify for entry.
If anyone has any questions, they are free to contact Grace through her website, graceajohnson.com.
Kristina Hall – Ebook copies of Midnight Will Come and Darkness Draws Near
Valerie Howard – ebook of winner’s choice
Vanessa Hall – ebook copy of Unknown (Grace Sufficient, #1)
B.R. Goodwin – 2 ebooks in YA Christian fiction series, What Remains: What Remains in the Wilderness and What Remains When Flowers Fade
Karen Brough – Ebooks: Be Held By Him – Finding God When Life Knocks You Off Your Feet and Be Held By Him Companion Guidebook- Finding God When Life Knocks You Off Your Feet
Mary Grace van der Kroef – The Branch That I Am ebook and signed paperback (if the international winner is in Canada, possibly three original art stickers from my Redbubble art shop if the international winner is in Canada.)
Annah Conwell – signed paperback and bookmark
Brigitte Cromey – Paperback copy of nonmagical kingdom fantasy novel Star of Hope (ebook copy for international winner) and 2” vinyl sticker featuring the flag design from Star of Hope
Kellyn Roth – a paperback copy of The Dressmaker’s Secret and a related piece of jewelry
H. E. Reynolds – ebook copy of Death Comes to Greenwood
The Silver Hand/Noah Lynch – A signed copy of The Silver Hand (second book) and a signed 8 X 11 Print of a hand-drawn portrait of Wolfram from upcoming novel, Pale Phoenix (Digtal).
Nicole Lam – Ebook or physical book of On The Beat and a matching bookmark
Storm Shultz – signed copy of Meant to Bee and save the bees sticker for US winner and e-copy of Meant to Bee for international winner
Brianna Lynn Campbell – three short story ebooks (Shadows in my Hands, Lost in Control, and A Future of Lost Lullabies)
Drew Taylor – Signed copy of The Designated Friend/character sticker/bookmark (international: ebook version of The Designated Friend)
Julie Arduini – signed copy of Anchored Hearts
E. N. Chaffin – Free ebook of Avarice, Book Two in the Sin Series (Pryde, Book One is already free on Amazon, Google Books, and where ebooks are sold.)
Molly & Brad – If Only Christmas Would Come Paperback, 2 bookmarks and a sticker
Erica Richardson – 1 Paperback copy of Peregrine: a novella and 1 Digital copy of Peregrine: a novella
Lydia MacClaren – Ebook copy of novel, Seven Lives Saved
Britt Richards – Paperback copy of Pushing Through with a bookmark and art print postcard.
Amber Lambda – ebook copy of Halos
T. L. Wynne – A signed copy of Daddy and Me paperback book.
Maegan M. Simpson – A signed paperback of Aderes in Karkhana, and possibly a bookmark and sticker
M. C. Kennedy – A paperback copy of A Wolf’s Rose (YA Fantasy) and hand-drawn scene from AWR
Deidre Sequeira – Paperback of Isla Emerged and swag
Alexandria Miracola – A signed copy of upcoming novel, Penelope Grace and the Winter Carousel.
Jill Beene – Physical copy of Mr. Pickwick’s Guide to Marriageable Young Ladies
E. G. Bella – ebook of The Toymaker’s Doll
S. F. Brooke – An e-copy of Christian fiction/romance novel, The Strength in Rubble!
Effie Joe Stock – Digital copies of book Child of the Dragon Prophecy and possibly Heir of Two Kingdoms
Ashton Dorow – Ebook copies of The Peasant Queen and The Love of a Princess
Stefanie Lozinkski – ebook copies of Magnify and Majesty
Aminata Coote – Draw Closer: a 52 week devotional journal for women
R. M. Scheller – Ebook for Extension Squad Vol. 1 and physical merch bundle (character stickers, standees, bookmarks)
Sarah Rodecker – A signed paperback of my book, Escape from Mathebos, and a set of swag
Hannah Morgan – Our Next Chapter, with assorted little gifts like bookmarks, bookish stickers, tea bags
Lillian Keith – Ebook (PDF version) copy of Should We Tell Her? (for international winner) and a signed, physical copy of An Apprentice Escapes (plus a Lyla MC doll; made from wool, 4 ½ inches tall), for U.S Winner.
Jes Drew – A signed paperback copy of At Summer’s End with stickers/ebook copy of At Summer’s End for international winner
Nicki Chapelway – An ebook of Snow White retelling Winter Cursed
Alyssa Casanova – Free PDF of book for international winners; free signed hardcover once released Bedtime for Spider a picture book for 2-4 year olds.
Alyssa Schwarz – Ebook copy of The Glass Road (the next installment in the Prescott Family Romance series), and a downloadable phone wallpaper.
Abigail Kay Harris – A digital 8×10 print, digital ebook, and digital bookmark file for intl. winner; and print 8×10, bookmark, and sticker for US winner with ebook.
Emily Wright – Ebook (PDF) copies of Trial of Strength, Trial by Fire, and Trial of Courage
Erica Dansereau – Physical copy Come Forth as Gold
E. M. Chaffin – Signed copy of Newfangled Madness and stickers
Mary Grace Writing 