In this time, page by page, the words, the stories, the encounters, the tears and the memories---the heaven sent hope--are being put together professionally, formatted, bound, legalized, a designed cover and back cover, to be presented as my memoir, but bigger than that, God's story through my pain.
The hope and goal for a launch date is September 25th, not by coincidence, but by God's sovereign plan. Even if it is close to that, a September date is just amazing.
My son, you see, was born September 25th, 1980. Timothy suffered and died, after 3 long days intabated and in a coma in an attempt to further save his life. In my heart I already knew Heaven awaited him. That date, February 27, 2007. He was 26 years old.
In my grief, I journaled. In my despair, I prayed. In my pain, I listened to music. In my journey I found hope. In my faith, I found purpose and in my dreams and desires to find peace, I received a deeper walk and spiritual awakening into an eternal perspective. God comforted me in such personal, divine ways, it became imperative that I must tell of our story and give hope to others.
Heaven knows the world needs hope.
In transforming my journals, my poetry, my insights and encounters into a manuscript, it took 6 long years, the summers actually, amazing people who coached and encouraged me and patience and prayer to know how to do all this "writing a book stuff." Funny thing is, God had me leading a group that does exactly that!
So now it is in the hands of a publisher and their team. It is truly exciting to imagine God's plan for all this. As I write today, I am still working on so many aspects involving marketing and technical stuff I really need help with. Let's not forget we are living in a COVID19 world as well.
We all grieve. Grief can be dibilitating for long periods of time. I do not have a formula, steps to take or any magic pill. Time does heal, but time with God is the greater healing as well as surrounding yourself with people that not only listen but want to be a part of the encouragement. In the bigger picture, the eternal perspective, God orchestrates relationships and together, we can do great things for the Kingdom.
I may have written a memoir, but without God and my team of supporters, September would come and go as it usually does, with a memory and hope for sure, but this year may the Lord use my story for the healing of others and His divine Glory in us all.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to meeting new friends and sharing our stories.
God is good and Grace is Amazing! Coleene VanTilburg.
Psalm 26: 13-14 "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord."
