Author: marygracewriting

Mary Grace van der Kroef is a poet, writer, and artist from Ontario, Canada. She enjoys the simple things in life, like a good cup of coffee and heart-to-heart talks with friends. She uses her writing to highlight those simple things while encouraging others and exploring her own inner world. She is a follower of Jesus Christ and writes from a Christian worldview. She believes every person, regardless of circumstance, is a creative being whose stories are important. She cherishes people's differences, and believes diverse stories are imperative to understanding what it is to be human.

Our Road to Trust Releasing Soon

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The release date for ‘Our Road to Trust’ is just a few weeks away! January 15th is the official release day.

It’s hard to believe that after two years of work, this book is ready for anyone willing to try it, to read. Are you ready?

Pre-Order Here

Book Description:
Ten women struggle to find connection in their home church as they walk through personal suffering. Can they learn to trust God and each other, or will they choose to remain in their brokenness?
Words That Pierce:
Can Mary trust God and find the courage to confront a church friend about hurtful words?
The Letter:
While Tina’s whole world begins to crumble, will a letter harden or soften her heart?
Power Off:
Will Harmony trust her mother after committing an act of deception?
Apology:
Can Amy learn to see past her anger and pain to apologize and find peace?
Broken China:
Can Rose overcome the pressure to appear as the perfect pastor’s wife, face her own failings, and find help for her troubled daughter before they both fall apart?
Just Forget It:
Beth’s long expected battle with forgetfulness has arrived; can she trust others for help as well as hold on to joy?
The Pill Cabinet:
Hillary’s world has become a cloud of pain. Can she walk past her pride and reach out for help, or will she begin down a dark path?
Her Choice:
Will Debora’s battle with depression and grief push her to a breaking point?
Scary Things:
At only four years old, Gloria faces one of life’s deepest losses, and when the shadows that once followed her mother notice her, can she defeat the darkness?
Prayers and Pencil Crayons:
Will Abigail step out of the shadows and into the new leadership role God has opened for her?

A huge thank you to my ARC review team who have taken time out over the last three months to read this book and offer the world their thoughts and opinions on it. You can find those reviews HERE on Goodreads.

The first draft of the second book in the Hope is Here Collection ‘How We Love Them’ is almost complete. If you love Contemporary Christian Fiction reads join my monthly newsletter list to receive all the news directly in your inbox each month.

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I’m looking for readers and other authors to help spread the word about ‘Our Road to Trust’s release! If you would like to join the launch team more information can be found HERE.

Truly Lovers Eyes

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There is nothing quite like truth
Shining through the eyes of your lover
Stark and piercing
Coated with a cast of pain
From words,
Or dead,
Or lack by you

A gentle stab
Piercing the heart
With the absolute knowledge
You did it again
It’s your fault
That selfish flair flapped too hard
And struck

There is nothing quite like truth
Shinning from the eyes of your lover
Now gentled to a glint
Of wet release
Acceptance of the blow you failed
To control
Absorbed

Transformed
Into a warmth that strangles doubts
Enfolds in forgiveness
With arms that bind wounds
Support boundaries
Encouraging both
To try again

There is nothing as beautiful as truth
Shining from the eyes of your lover
Lighting the road ahead
Assurance of
Together’s tomorrow
As those eyes seek and speak
Truth in love

Copyright ©2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef

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Deceived

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Nibble

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Our Road to Trust Cover Reveal

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It’s been two years of work, but soon I will be sharing “Our Road to Trust” with the world.

Our Road to Trust: Interlocking Short Stories of Faith

Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Womens Fiction.
Publication Date: January 2024 (day to be announced)

Back Blurb:
Ten women struggle to find connection in their home church as they walk through personal suffering. Can they learn to trust God and each other, or will they choose to remain in their brokenness?

Words That Pierce:
Can Mary trust God and find the courage to confront a church friend about hurtful words?

The Letter:
While Tina’s whole world begins to crumble, will a letter harden or soften her heart?

Power Off:
Will Harmony trust her mother after committing an act of deception?

Apology:
Can Amy learn to see past her anger and pain to apologize and find peace?

Broken China:
Can Rose overcome the pressure to appear as the perfect pastor’s wife, face her own failings, and find help for her troubled daughter before they both fall apart?

Just Forget It:
Beth’s long expected battle with forgetfulness has arrived; can she trust others for help as well as hold on to joy?

The Pill Cabinet:
Hillary’s world has become a cloud of pain. Can she walk past her pride and reach out for help, or will she begin down a dark path?

Her Choice:
Will Debora’s battle with depression and grief push her to a breaking point?

Scary Things:
At only four years old, Gloria faces one of life’s deepest losses, and when the shadows that once followed her mother notice her, can she defeat the darkness?

Prayers and Pencil Crayons:
Will Abigail step out of the shadows and into the new leadership role God has opened for her?

ARC Signup

Are you a reader of Christian Fiction? If so I would love to have you on my Advanced Readers Team. Check out the link above for more information.

Branches in Bloom, Forthcoming!

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My third poetry collection is on its way and I’m so excited to share it with all of you.

Branches in Bloom

Poems to bridge the gap between soul and nature in this ever evolving modern world.

In “Branches in Bloom” let language draw you closer to the nature you crave in this collection of 57 poems that wander through rhyming forms, haiku, and free verse styles.

Join the poetess as she explores the four seasons, creatures, and highlights experienced moments steeped in creation.

The ebook pre-order is live across most retailers with a release date of August 1st.

Pre-order Now

Paperbacks will also become available over the next few weeks. Thank you all for following my writing journey. I look forward to hearing your feedback on this new collection in August.

Are you an ARC reader of poetry? A blogger or reviewer? Would you like the opportunity to read an early release copy of “Branches in Bloom” and leave an honest review? Please contact me via the contact page. I look forward to hearing from you.

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On Friendship: The Power of One

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My Mother once told me, “It’s better to have one good friend than to have many that aren’t close.”

I’ve found this statement to be true. But in the Western world, we often fall into the trap of lumping our relationships in with what culture views as “Success”, which is to have many, and more, and bigger. The big problem with this is that people are not things. Friendships can’t be hoarded like material possessions and remain strong and healthy. The more you have the more work is to maintain them.

“Things” can be stored. Even though possessions can indeed become a weight that drags a soul down, if you have enough money to pay for storage and preservation then you can keep them for quite a long time. But people? Well, people don’t keep like things do, and we can’t pay someone else to maintain our friendships. It must be a personal investment of time.

It’s also possible to have hundreds of friends, and still be lonely. But equally possible to have one true friend, and be as rich as the wealthiest man on earth. You can’t count the wealth of friendships by numbers.

“It’s better to have one good friend than to have many that aren’t close.”

Each person we come in contact with is a being of immeasurable worth. Yes, all of them. Even the ones we don’t like. How do we honour people’s worth, while being honest with how many relationships we can maintain?

First, recognize that each person is going to have a different capacity for this and even as we go through life our circumstances will change, meaning that once we could manage a crowd of good friendships, now we can only honestly hold on to a handful, and stay true. Recognize that this is normal.

Second, honesty is always better than stinging people along. It hurts to be rejected, especially when you have been looking for a true friend and then finally meet someone who you think you might be able to connect with, just to have them tell you they don’t have time for you. But trust me, it hurts way worse to be strung along with phrases like, “We need to get together sometime!” and “We’ll for sure do that!” Just to have every attempt you make to reach out shot down with, “Somethings come up, can we reschedule?” Over and over again. Make a note that it’s the repetition that’s devastating. It’s normal for life to get in the way and plans to have to change, but if it’s becoming a pattern in a relationship it’s a red flag that shows one person in the party doesn’t want to, or maybe can’t commit.

Third, you can love a friend from afar when your ability to maintain closeness changes. I’ve had to say goodbye to many friends in one form or another. I’ve also had friends that I have had to cut off, but my love for that person has not disappeared. I also don’t feel the ones I left on good terms love me any less than they did when we both had the time to enjoy each other’s company. Don’t be afraid to tell people you might not be able to handle a lot of interactions right now, but you love them, and you still care. This goes a long way in maintaining ties when you might need space, whether that’s forever, or for a short time. If someone has to walk away from you because they are overwhelmed, it can be really hard. But remember, they honoured your friendship enough, to be honest with you. If you can, tell them you will be waiting for when their circumstances change again, and you’ll be loving them just the same in the in-between.

Don’t forget the worth of the friends or friends you still hold. Cherish them, invest in them, and don’t let the ties weaken while looking around at the crowd of potential.

If you’re the one that’s lonely, remember, it only takes one good friend to change your circumstances. Treasure that one if you have it.

But what if you can’t find that one? I’ll talk about that next week.

Copyright ©2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef

Previous Post – On Friendship: What if You’re Afraid of It

Previous Post – On Friendship: Friend Doesn’t Mean Project

Previous Post – On Friendship: In Person

Previous Post – On Friendship: Virtual Friendship

Previous Post – On Friendship: Receiving and Giving Forgiveness

Previous Post – On Friendship: The Word Enemy

Previous Post – On Friendship: My First Friend

Previous Post – On Friendship: What is it?

Previous Post – On Friendship: The Word Friend

Previous Post – On Friendship: Introduction

Forthcoming Post – On Friendship: Be the Friend You’re Looking For

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Six Word Story (116)

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All that is needed is a sliver of sunlight to cast darkness into corners.

Sometimes that light reveals that something wonderous has been at work.

Copyright ©2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef

Photo sourced from unsplash.com

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