I have enjoyed knowing Author Jodie Wolfe for several years, after we took a writing class together with Author Jerry Jenkins and met in the Colorado mountains to share our love for words and creating stories. I can really relate to Jodie’s story today, of surviving a particularly low point after losing a key friendship. What I really appreciate was her intentional approach to learning from the situation and giving herself room to mourn and feel revived. In a world that’s all about fixing and perfectionism, her candor is refreshing and writing, and faith, is as well. I hope you’ll enjoy connecting with her as part of the #LetResilienceArise guest blog series too.
By Jodie Wolfe
As I thought and prayed about what I should write for this blog post, it took me a while to come up with a topic. Then the Lord reminded me of a really low point in my life. It happened a number of years ago, but at the time it felt like my husband and I were constantly getting deluged by floodwaters.
We went through a set of circumstances where we felt betrayed by friends who were very close to us at the time. What we had thought, talked, and worked toward as a common goal between us, suddenly shifted. We were hurt because it changed our relationship with them and others too.
I felt like I had been stripped bare and had nothing left to give. I lived in a constant fog of hurt and pain. I fell into depression and believe I was close to having a breakdown of sorts if something didn’t change. My husband suggested I take a month off from most responsibilities.
I spent that month doing an intensive study on joy, looking for specific scriptures on the topic. I wrote a journal entry each day, writing down the things that I learned. A lady from church reached out to me to let me know she was praying. At the time, she had no idea what I was going through, but felt led to contact me. As a side note—since then she’s become my best friend and prayer partner, besides my husband. 🙂
Throughout those weeks, the Lord began to restore my soul. He provided peace when I felt I had none. He gave me joy. I prayed for God to reveal to me what He wanted me to do as I moved forward. As I came to the end of the month, my husband encouraged me to leave for a week and visit a friend who lived several states away from us.
I spent the week hanging out with my friend at her house. The day before we left, my friend decided to take me to see a lighthouse on Tybee Island. Even though I’m afraid of heights, I climbed the circular stairway to the top. As I stepped out on the catwalk, and hung close to the wall and the door to the stairs, I looked out at the beauty of the ocean.
God spoke to me in that moment. I sensed Him calling me back to writing fiction. It had been many years since I wrote because I’d been busy homeschooling our children. The Lord gave me three separate ideas for stories. I came home and started researching and eventually writing a historical romance. While this book still hasn’t seen the light of day outside my computer, God began to stir in me again a love of writing.
I’d like to say that I found an agent and a publisher overnight, but that didn’t happen. It’s taken me at least seven years to get to that point where I’ve currently signed three different contracts and am seeing my work in print. But through the process, God has taught me to rely on Him when the storm of life hit, and even in the everyday. He’s worthy of our trust because He has promised to always be on our side.
An Angel for the Cowboy (part of Let Love Spring: A Historical Spring Collection)
When the bank threatens foreclosure on Essie Love’s home, it’s up to her to provide for her sisters. She’ll do whatever it takes to save them, even if it means marrying a stranger.
Jud Steele is wanted for a crime he didn’t commit. Wounded and left for dead, he lands on Essie’s doorstep. While she nurses him back to health, he finds himself longing for a home and family.
Can two desperate people find a path that leads to what they both need?
Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA) and has been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Live the Adventure Letter. She’s a contributor for Putting on the New and Stitches Thru Time blogs. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.
Connect with Jodie!
Website: https://www.jodiewolfe.com
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Jodie-Wolfe-553400191384913/;https://www.facebook.com/jodie.wolfe.1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JodieAWolfe
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JodieAWolfe
Blogs I contribute to: Stitches Thru Time, Putting on the New.
What is the Let Resilience Arise series all about?
Elizabeth Van Tassel is a wildfire survivor who lost every possession and her home in 2007. Since that time, she’s been cultivating fiction and nonfiction projects of her own to inspire kids and adults alike with her lessons. But she’s also developed a wonderful network of amazing authors in all different genres and professions who have compelling stories to boost you or perhaps a friend you know who’s struggling with a similar challenge. Subscribe to this blog for these articles and a monthly newsletter to come to your email or stop by again for more amazing stories. Also have your teens and tweens check out their own page and posts HERE. Want to share your story with others or have Elizabeth share hers with your group? Contact Elizabeth HERE and she’d love to discuss bringing lessons of hope and new beginnings to your group too.
Angela Pelleman says
Very encouraging! We had the same thing happen, and I am also getting back to writing books again, and of course my blog, The Silver Lining, at angelaslittleattic.com. I really appreciate this post; thank you! I hope to encourage you as well with a visit to my blog and my ministry page at http://www.facebook.com/angelaslittleattic. I love to encourage Christian writers! God needs us to hang in there and tell others about Jesus. God makes good out of every bad situation. I love how you shared what you did on your journey. It has given me some ideas on how to pray. God bless you and your fiction books, in Jesus’ name!
evantassel says
So glad you liked it Angela and thanks for visiting our blog! I agree that good can come out of any bad situation, and I love how Jodie met a wonderful friend after losing so much.
Jodie Wolfe says
Hi Angela. I’m blessed that you found the post encouraging. I love the way the Lord can make things new even in our difficult situations.
Jodie Wolfe says
Thank you for having me today, Elizabeth. 🙂
evantassel says
Jodie thanks so much for sharing your story and encouraging us all with our friendships and faith!