It’s my pleasure to introduce you to today’s guest blogger, author Nicole Deese. Nicole and I met at the Dallas/Ft.Worth chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s down-to-earth and funny and smart and great to talk to and I pretty much decided that we were going to be friends whether she liked it or not.
She and her family moved from Texas to Idaho last spring, so I don’t see her in person as often these days. But I always smile when I spot a text, or a FB message, or an email from her in my inbox.
She’ll be giving away a signed paperback copy of her new novel, A Season to Love, to one of you! Stay tuned for more details on that at the bottom of the post. – Becky
I wish I could say I had more in common with the adventure-hungry Dr. Patrick in A Season To Love, but in truth, I relate far more to my heroine, Willa. I’ve had an up-close and personal struggle with anxiety since the time I was a young girl. I know the paralyzing grip of fear, but I also know the overwhelming joy of freedom. That said, there are elements of my hunky Scottish hero that have encouraged me to step out of my boxy comfort zone and stretch my own adventure wings.
I’ve always loved to travel and explore new places. Some of my greatest memories are attached to short-term mission trips and a six-month internship with YWAM Australia (Youth With A Mission) in my early twenties. I wanted to incorporate those experiences into Patrick McCade.
Dr. Patrick lives for his next adventure. He works as a short-term overseas doctor, assisting in natural disasters and crisis missions. His spirit is dynamic and his ability to say yes to the unknown is admirable and inspiring. Balancing a heroine who prioritizes her life based on an invisible “safety scale” with a hero who lives for his next exciting escapade, challenged me in ways I’d never imagined.
In a moment of high drama, Patrick asks Willa a question that continues to stir my heart: “Are you satisfied with close enough?”
God has asked similar questions of me. Am I willing to step out? Am I willing to risk comfort? Am I willing to let go of my fears and take hold of His hand?
Not all of us are wired to be thrill-seekers like Dr. Patrick (I know I’m not), but I believe each one of us wrestles with stepping away from our comfort zone and toward courageous living.
I pray A Season To Love will inspire you, challenge you, and equip you to relinquish your fears and embrace your freedom.
About A Season to Love
At this point in her life, bravery is not a trait Willa Hart would readily claim. She believes her seven-year-old daughter, Savannah, who never knew her father and successfully tackled chemotherapy, is truly the courageous one. Yet after Willa has a fateful encounter with handsome young doctor Patrick McCade, her outlook—and her view of herself—begins to change.
Patrick, a thrill-seeking world traveler and temporary resident of Lenox, Oregon, sets out to show Willa the value of adventure, even within her tiny town. But just when their friendship shows signs of turning into something more, Patrick’s life as a traveling doctor calls him back. Will his last days in town signal the end of their journey, or will Patrick and Willa find the courage to transform a single season into a lifetime?
About Nicole
Nicole Deese is a full time lover of humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled fiction. When she’s not writing a sweet romance, she can usually be found reading one near a window while drinking La Croix. She lives in small-town, Idaho with her handsome hubby and two sons.
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Becky here. To enter to win the autographed copy of A Season to Love, simply leave a comment. I’ll randomly select a winner on Monday. Anyone is more than welcome to comment, but only USA residents are eligible to win the paperback. We love you, international people. I wish we could afford to send you prizes. 🙂
Congratulations to Kathryn Voss! You commented on this post and were randomly selected as the winner of Nicole’s book, A Season to Love. My thanks to everyone who commented! I was moved and inspired by your testimonies.
Tell us about a time when God called you out of your comfort zone. Do you currently sense Him beckoning you into something new?
Becky Wade
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I just to my nursing license exam and I’m definitely feeling called to my next step in Gods will for my life. It’s a bit uncomfortable but I know God will lead me safely through.
How exciting, Julie! It sounds like you’re at the threshold of a new step in your career. May the Lord bless you!
God called me out of my comfort zone on a mission trip. I was singing in front of nursing home residents unexpectedly & driving around the little town. Two things I never thought I would end up doing
Going on a mission trip was definitely out of my comfort zone. I was challenged so much during my trip, and I’m so thankful I went.
It’s great to hear testimonies from those of you who’ve been on mission trips. I’ve been on a few myself and I agree — they DO call us out of our comfort zones, don’t they? In wonderful ways. When we step out in faith, God is there.
I guess the most recent time for me was when I began substitute teaching in the junior high and high school. I have always liked kids and usually work with young children (preschool – elementary age). It was a leap of faith for me to walk into the high school. Now, I almost exclusively work in the jr. high or high schools when I sub and don’t think much about it – although I still like the little ones!
What a great example of comfort to courage. Love this. Blessings, Ellen.
-nicole deese
The summary sounds really neat and the cover is gorgeous! I’ve liked what I’ve read by this author so I’ll give this one a shot too. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Callie
Whoops. Forgot the question. Probably starting a Bible study small group of girls is one of the things most out of my comfort zone!
Callie
Thank you, Callie. (I love you name btw) Teaching small group is definitely a step out of comfort. Blessings!
Reaching out to people who God has put on my heart is often out of my comfort zone. I’m nervous about what their response is going to be but often it ends up being a blessing to them (and me) that wouldn’t happen if I didn’t follow the Holy Spirit’s leading to reach out.
So true! The things the Holy Spirit calls us to do are the things that allow us to be a blessing (and be blessed in the process). Thanks, Elizabeth!
Great post! Thanks for the giveaway.
When I first moved out of state for work, it was definitely out of my comfort zone, literally and figuratively. I had to find my own way without knowing many people or a church yet. However, that experience brought me closer to Him than ever before, knowing full well of God’s grace and love for us. Do I beckon Him for change? I don’t specifically do so. I do ask that His will be done in any situation. Currently, there are changes in my life and I hope these changes are His will.
Thanks
Annie JC
justcommonly(at)gmail(dot)com
I have so been there. We’ve moved states several times. That’s a HUGE comfort zone challenge. Those experiences definitely pulled me closer to Him. A whole new level of relying on God. Blessings.
I had to step out of my comfort zone after my husband passed at a relatively young age, over 14 years ago. We were involved in ministry together for years and after he passed I felt lost on finding “my place” in God’s plan. To me it was easier at times to stay back in my home and not continue to be involved in ministry and rely on what people thought, that I was still grieving. The grief journey is indeed long and tedious, but as I allowed the Holy Spirit to comfort, direct me and became willing to come out of my comfort zone, God has helped me to become the woman that He has created me to be. I am pleasantly surprised sometimes of who He is developing me to be…I really like me. 🙂 So very thankful for God’s faithfulness in my life.
Thank you so much for sharing that, Veronica. I think it’s good to be surprised by the people the Holy Spirit is developing us into. Yes!
Veronica, I’m sorry for your loss, and yes….the grief journey is loooong. I lost my younger sister two years ago, so I’m quite familiar with the emotions and challenges involved in the grief cycle. Thankful God has directed your steps!
Bless you.
Thank you for sharing,
Nicole
Veronica, I’m blessed beyond words by your encouraging post. It’s uncanny how much of what you say I can relate to, and I don’t think it an accident that I happen to see it today. Thank you so much for your transparency and your courage to share. And Nicole, I recognize that paralyzing grip of fear you speak of; I can definitely relate to Willa’s lack of bravery, which is why your story premise immediately caught my interest. I’d so love to be inspired, challenged, relinquish my fears, and embrace freedom, just as you noted in your post, because life, grief, and stepping out of my comfort zone have not been easy for me. This book sounds like it could be a useful tool. Thank you so much for your generosity in offering the copy.
Moving far from family was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. Now I am feeling God’s call to move back home. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Hi Nicole, A Season to Love sounds like a fabulous story! I can identify with Willa. A few years ago my adventurous husband wanted me to go with him on a mission trip to Africa. I was afraid to say yes, so he took our oldest son who was nine at the time. They had a great experience, and I knew I’d probably missed out on what God wanted for me. But two years later another opportunity came up. This time I agreed to go to Kenya with my husband, and we took all five of our children with us for a YEAR! It was an amazing time for the whole family, and I am so glad I stepped out in faith and said yes. I’ll look forward to reading your new book!
Moving 10-1/2 hours away, a Scripture went before us:
Matthew 5:14-16 The Message
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
Beautiful passage of scripture! It’s wonderful to see how God met and ministered to those of you who moved away. I can relate! My husband and I lived overseas for the first four years of our marriage. It was daunting at times and lonely at times. I missed family. But, looking back, it was great for our marriage. And we had so many experiences we wouldn’t trade. The Lord used the time to grow our relationship with Him and each other.
I have already purchased your book and look forward to digging it out of my TBR pile very soon, especially after this authentic look into the way you formed these characters. Great insights!
Your book looks and sounds fantastic! In bible study one Wednesday night, our preacher challenged us to write a poem or a song. I came home that night and didn’t think about it again until I went to bed. Not being able to sleep, I got, went to the computer, and it was like the words just came without me even thinking what was coming next. It was an experience like I had never had before. I completed my task in about fifteen minutes and went back to bed.
The next morning, I sat at my piano and put the words to music. I still look at that song in amazement but I do know without a doubt that it came straight from my heart with the help of my Father from above.
That’s awesome! I love to see God at work through creativity.
Out of my comfort zone? I hate being in front of a group of people. Now I’m the youth leader for our home school group and the youth choir director at church. They are both a challenge by I love working with the kids. God is awesome!
Sounds like a great book. This year, we put our kids in a new school and changed churches. It was a little out of our comfort zone. We had been at the same church for 7 years and the kids in the same school for 5 years. It was kinda hard, but it was the best decision we made. We all love our new church and the kids love their new school.
Years ago, my husband and I were asked to lead a small group in our church. Attending a small group – great! Talking and sharing with our small group members – wonderful! Leading a small group – SCARY! It was definitely out of my comfort zone since I tend to be on the quiet side. But we followed God’s leading which was to do it and it was a wonderful experience.
Nicole is a new to me author and I would like to give her books a read. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!!
Loraine,
Yes! Small group leading can be a big step out of comfort and into courage! God loves to teach us vulnerability through settings like this. So glad you followed His prompting. Blessings!
Not sure if this qualifies but many years ago I was talking to my grandmother on the phone. I was trying to decide whether to go visit that night or wait until the morning. I strongly felt God telling me to go that night. While I was there she had a massive heart attack. We lost her but she wasn’t alone when she went to Heaven. If I’d waited until morning it would have been too late and my mother would have never gotten over her being alone. My grandmother was the one that gave me the love of crochet.
My family belongs to a large FBC in a capital city. Through recent years, our church has undergone many staff changes which has meant changes in the direction of the church. We’ve somewhat lost our way & lost a great deal of our members as we’ve had some of our ministers chase after whatever the newest phase was as opposed to just preaching/teaching Jesus. We’ve given in to entertaining. Please do not think I’m being hypercritical! I do have a M.A.R.E. from SWBTS have been involved with Youth Ministry for 40 years. I’ve seen many “waves” come & go through the Youth area. When we first joined this particular church, we had youth in 31 different schools!! Not anymore!! I have been & continue to be out of my comfort zone each Sunday as I walk into our Youth area that has seen such a vast turnover of leadership 8 Youth Ministers in 15 years maybe?!? That’s not the way to grow Youth!! They need stability & maturity!!My comfort zone is overwrought with grief as to what is happening at my church!
That is so hard, Lisa. I applaud you for continuing to serve the youth steadily, even through the storms and changes and upheaval.
God often pulls me out of my comfort zone to minister to others, as I am very shy. I am learning to step out and focus on other’s needs rather than my own discomfort. Now I feel he is calling me to begin writing, and I am excited to see where this will lead me. Would love to read your book!
So glad you feel Him leading you in these new steps, Linda! Good luck with your writing. Blessings to you!
Nicole
When I was in my twenties (I am now 74) I left my comfortable full time “church” job and moved out in faith because I knew the Lord wanted me to. The doors that opened up for me were amazing. In the past year I have again stepped out of my comfort zone and become a volunteer small group leader with Proverbs 31 ministry and their Online Bible Studies. I have learned many new things and have found that even 74yr olds can have a ministry of encouragement for younger sisters.
Way to go, Nancy! You’re inspiring. 🙂
Being coordinator of our church girls groups was a big step for this shy girl in her twenties!
We both sold homes and moved to small town Idaho also !New location, new friends, new church, new everything 🙂
Hey! Me too!Where in Idaho? Are you in southern Idaho near Boise? I think we might have chatted in Melissa Tagg’s group? I’m in Post Falls, Idaho. Blessings to you, Bonnie! <3
I am a reserved person, have many, many fears, especially of trying new things. Back in 2004, there was a team from our church going to Tanzania on a missions trip. I felt God’s tug on my heart and thought, okay, I can help the team as they prepare. So I did. But the tug didn’t go away . . . God wanted me to trust Him and go as part of the team. It wasn’t until I committed to going as part of the team that I was at peace, truly at peace. God did amazing things on that trip, I feel mostly in me. Now, my son (17 yrs old), who is very much like me, is experiencing the same thing . . . needing courage to step out of his comfort zone and trust God. Our church has another team going to Tanzania this summer, and my son has taken the first step and followed God’s leading in committing to be a member of the team. I am excited to see what God does IN him and THROUGH him. I KNOW HE is faithful and that I can trust Him in this.
I loved reading this, Heather. Thanks for sharing it! God never fails to WORK IN US as we work to help others, amen?
I can’t wait to read your books. Another Christian author to add to my growing list. Thanks for opening my world with a great giveaway.
I have a lot of family members that have anxiety. I feel badly for them because I know that it can be an ongoing battle. I don’t have a lot of anxiety, but I do battle depression, and I step outside of my comfort zone every Sunday when I teach my class of kids at church! I know that we can only grow from stepping out of our comfort zones, and God is good at placing those growth opportunities in our path, whether or not we’re ready for them! I’m so glad that you wrote about such a relevant topic in A Season to Love!
So many people struggle with anxiety, Karen. You’re right. God is so gooooood at placing growth opportunities in our paths. Awesome that you’ve listened to His promptings to teach the littles. You’re inspiring.
Blessings,
nicole
Ministry calls me out of my ‘nest’ of comfort and small group ministries are my passion. Thank goodness for the passion or I would just curl up in my nest, aka home.
I am (still) nervous to speak in front of a crowd, but when I was younger I was petrified of it. A shaking-about-to-pee-my-pants kind of fear.
God pulled me from my comfort zone — being one in the crowd — and placed me in the president role of my church’s women’s ministry. I look back and know that it was God, and only God, that could’ve put me there. This role was so rewarding and changed my life in numerous ways.
I had the opportunity to go to Russia on a mission trip…something I would never have dreamed I would one day get to do.
I had to move out of my comfort zone recently. My husband received a job offer as a pastor 7 hours away from home. I have never lived so far away from my family(and his!). It has been a struggle, for sure! Taking it day by day.
Love Nichole and can’t wait to read this book! Thanks for the chance to win!
He call me out of my comfort zone when I volunteered to go help on a disaster relief group after Hurricane Katrina
He has called me out of my comfort zone many times, but singing solo’s was one of the hardest. My former Pastors wife was an encouragement and told me I could do it.
I was called out of my comfort zone when my then husband was called to ministry, first as a church pastor, then as an army chaplain. Every time we moved, I had to get out of my comfortable rut. When we divorced, that was my biggest shake up. God didn’t call me out of my marriage, but he certainly helped me pick up the pieces and learn to live life again as a single Christian woman whose focus must be on him. Thankfully, I’m not being called right now to leave my comfort zone; I’m just learning to be comfortable where I am.
Not sure if it’s God’s call for us yet but we are considering a move across the country from Illinois to Idaho AND I’m looking into starting a blog. Lots to pray about in our house!
He certainly has asked me to “step out of the boat” at times. I’ve always been told I’m so quiet and shy and yet He’s challenged me to write and direct plays, doing everything from making costumes, choosing the cast, selecting music, stage sets, etc. It always scares me to consider what new adventures I may be called to, but it’s other people and our very own selves who put us in a box. God calls us to explore the wide open spaces.
I am very shy with people I don’t know well. One time a friend of mine asked me to go with her to visit a new couple who had visited our church and had no family in the area. I remember loading up our babies in their car seats and going to their apartment. I even remember thinking, “What in the world am I doing?” This couple ended up attending our church. Both of them were saved. We are still friends with them to this day. I often think about how God used me even though I was scared to death!!
The Lord has been stretching me for some time. I’ve been placed in a leadership role in my church as an intercessor. My place of comfort is behind the scenes not in the spotlight. He has called us to live beyond the borders. I’m taking this new journey one step and a time.
I had an experience in the grocery store recently that brought me out of my comfort zone. An elderly lady came up to me and took my arm and proceeded to tell me about how hard her life had been as her husband was recently diagnosed with dementia. I asked her name and told her I would pray for her. God gave me courage to do that and I hope He gives me another opportunity to comfort someone.
Congratulations, Kathryn Voss! You commented on Nicole’s post and you were randomly selected as the winner of Nicole’s book — A Season to Love. Congrats! I sincerely thank all of you who shared stories of how the Lord has been moving you from comfort to courage. I truly enjoyed reading them. You blessed me!