Christmas 2021 was extra special. My delayed obedience was no more! What God had called me to do almost ten years ago was finally done.
Quick timeline (sort of):
In 2012 is when I first felt God’s nudging and others telling me to write a book.
The Soaking Up The Son website began and ideas began to flow.
Back in June 2019 I had posted a Journal entry requesting encouragement and prayers from you for me to help keep me focused on a task that God had for me. I vividly remember that request and did start doing what God had called me to do. My hands were busily typing a Christmas book and a beach devotional book. But then…it all came to a halt.
In hindsight, I guess the writings I thought He wanted me to do weren’t really what He wanted…at least not now.
Along with God’s whispering words, “reach just one”, reiterating in my mind, the nudge to revisit something I had written about eighteen years ago was pressed upon me. The story I had written for our eldest son, Hunter, as a gift on the day he was baptized, was what the Lord wanted me to edit and turn into a children’s book. A children’s book! How perfect! Why didn’t I think of that? Being a retired teacher and loving those elementary years…this made sense. God knows so much better than we do.
On July 20, 2021 the conversation with EABooks Publishing began. What was supposed to be a fifteen minute phone consultation, turned into an hour long chat of godliness. It started and ended with prayer by Linda, a liaison for the publishing company. I could feel in my spirit that this was going to be a good fit.
Many emails, texts, and phone conversations took place over the following months. The publisher liaison, editor, illustrator, and marketing coach kept communicating with me throughout the five month process. Each moment was bathed in prayer and strove to bring God all the glory.
Another strong encouraging group were my prayer team warriors. This group of eighteen (and I’m sure many of their spouses were involved) were a rock for me. I tried to keep them updated each week and ideas of who and what to pray for. They know who they are, and I am beyond grateful for their Barnabas-like attitude over these past few months.
On Friday, December 17th, Mr. Ounamer with EABooks called me for some final information. The call ended with him informing me that within 72 hours The Right Road would be live on amazon. Live!
Saturday morning, Tim and I were on our way for a nature walk. On the way there I checked my email. I had to read it twice. I went on amazon, typed in “The Right Road by Stephanie Shuff” and BAM! It wasn’t even twelve hours from my phone call with Bob and my book was on sell! It was quite hilarious that when Tim and I searched for it on amazon, there were two harlequin type romance books above and below it. One had a man, wearing jeans, no shirt, and a cowboy hat. Tim asked, “What type of book did you write? I thought it was a children’s book.” I almost clicked on the wrong book to view. Hahaha!
The day The Right Road went live was the same day my parents and siblings celebrated our family Christmas. How perfect to be surrounded by family!
So…as you can see…I delayed my response to God for many years. I’m not proud of it, but I am so thrilled with what God has allowed to happen so far, and can’t wait to see what He has next for this book and any others to follow.
Y’all, this book became the #1 New Release on Amazon for children’s books, for that week! THANK YOU, and to God be ALL the glory!
This year I’m focusing more on obeying Him immediately.
During those delayed obedience years I definitely had times of sorrow for my actions. The feeling of letting God down would break my heart. My confidence in me was low, when I should have placed all my confidence in Him. Did I miss out on blessings because of my delayed obedience? Maybe, probably, sure. I won’t ever know, but all I know now is that He does bless me, and I so want this book He gave me to be a blessing to others.
I will run after you with delight in my heart, for you will make me obedient to your instructions. I give my all to follow your revelation-light; I will not delay to obey. Psalm 119:32,60 TPT
I want to encourage you to listen to God’s voice, and don’t delay when He tells you to do something. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Obey…it will all be more than okay.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
Oh! Want to buy the book (or a whole bunch)?? Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/Right-Road-Stephanie-Shuff/dp/1953114504/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BJ8EUCWU0GR4&keywords=the+right+road+by+stephanie+shuff&qid=1641255845&sprefix=The+right+road%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1 Please enjoy, leave a review, share with others the importance of staying on The Right Road. Much love and appreciation!
Click here to read a journal entry I wrote about “in the waiting”.