Please welcome my friend, author Carla Laureano, to Inspired by Life…and Fiction! She’s giving away a paperback copy of one of her books (!) so be sure to read through to the end for details.
I met Carla at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference three years ago. She was a finalist for the Genesis Award, a prestigious recognition given to unpublished authors. Not long after that — was it mere weeks, Carla? — she made the leap into publication. She’s published FOUR novels since!
Thanks, Carla, for visiting and for offering a giveaway. -Becky
I intended to write a chirpy, lighthearted post, but I made the mistake of scrolling through my social media newsfeed first. These days, it’s just as hard to be on Facebook as it is to watch the five o’clock news, and I find myself avoiding it all. Not because I don’t care, but because there’s nothing that I can say to make the incomprehensible more understandable. There’s simply too much evidence that bad things happen in this world, things over which we have no control and may never make any sense.
Given how we are inundated by these stories, it’s all too easy to get wrapped up in fear and despair. All too easy to forget that there’s far more to celebrate in life than to mourn.
In my recent novel, London Tides, the heroine Grace Brennan has seen more than her share of bad in her career as a war photographer. At one point, she says:
“You can’t see all the suffering and violence and hatred in the world without wondering if there’s still good in the world. Most of my colleagues see evil as proof that God couldn’t exist. But despite all the bad, there are still people who help others when their safety, their very lives are at risk. When I see that, I know without a doubt He has to exist. I think without God, the good that remains couldn’t survive.”
When the dark moments come, it’s natural to grieve and question and ask why. And then it’s healthy to look around at all of our blessings, all of the good that remains, and rejoice, whether it’s the laugh of a child or the awe-inspiring glow of beach sunset or a perfectly-prepared cup of coffee on a cold day. It’s important for our souls to bask in the beauty of the everyday and look for the evidence of God in our midst, His enduring love for us, His unfailing mercy.
We simply have to choose to see.
What everyday blessings give you joy? Let me know below for your chance to win a paperback copy of London Tides.
Or grab the e-book version, now available for only $1.99 on all e-reader platforms!
Carla Laureano is the RITA Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). Carla worked as an executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life to write fiction. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons. You can connect with Carla online at:
CarlaLaureano.com | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest
Becky Wade
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After my husband spent three years in a dark, over-medicated, disconnected state of being with the effects of PTSD, our family got him back. I wake up with joy knowing that my husband is the healthy, Godly, loving man that I married 20 years ago.
Being able to be home with my children!
I have to say having the freedom to read Christian novels as a way to escape from the daily news, which then renews my hope in God.
Everyday joy for me is having my grandkids over. 3 of our 9 come over on a regular basis thru the week. And as Art Linkletter told us “kids say the darnedest things”! Their big smiles and running to greet me brings a lot of joy! Thank you for sharing.
Smiles, hugs, and laughter of my children and husband and sunsets are my favorite, most frequent reminders of God’s glory!
Thank you for doing this giveaway 🙂
The every day blessings that give me joy……looking around and seeing the beauty that surrounds me by the hand of God. The trees, the setting sun, the clouds and the nature….this gives me great joy. And to see these things with my three grandchildren by my side…I am truly blessed every day.
To some it might seem silly but to me who was on a wheelchair for years it’s the blessing of waking up alive and being able to walk to the kitchen and fix breakfast for my husband.
Our neighbors have 3 apple trees and were blessed with an over abundance of apples this year. Almost every day my kids run over to pick and apple and eat it. Twice I have had applesauce canning days with girlfriends (we have made 86 quarts of sauce from these free apples) and another neighbor just brought me an apple pie they made with the excess apples. So my current everyday blessing is apples!
I have 3 children, two of whom . were molested by a family friend as children. They both developed eating disorders and drug and alcohol addictions as a result. One also serves in the military and volunteered during 9/11 to go to New York and also served in Iraq, so also suffers from PTSD. Watching the Lord work in their lives and cure them and deliver them has been a miracle in itself, but it is the little blessings that have kept me sane through this long, grueling process. The joy of my grandchildren, the simple pleasures of nature, just waking up each day and knowing that the Lord has my back no matter what the day brings, that is what keeps me going. Because of Him, nothing can steal my joy!
Morning walks are an everyday blessing for me. There is something so dear about walking my dog through our woods, early in the morning, and soaking in God’s amazing world before I get started with my day. It’s time with my Lord, seeking his guidance, and thanking him for all he has given me–seen and unseen.
Knowing that I am healthy and I have everything that I need really is a blessing and gives me joy.
Some of my favorite simple joys; the first cup of coffee in the morning, light peeking through the trees, the smell of freshly laundered sheets, laying down in bed at the end of a long day, unplanned conversation with a friend, a song that moves me into worship.
My children’s laughter never fails to bring me joy. That, and holding them. We’ve also had a Monarch caterpillar and watched it transform to chrysalis and then butterfly. Amazing and inspiring!
One great blessing for me is that I live in a time and place in history when I can get into the Word of God and learn more about Him. Another is that there are so many ways to love and be kind to your fellow man.
Simple comforts often bring the greatest joy. A good cup of hot tea first thing in the morning is a special treat, especially if my husband is sitting across the table from me and we have time for some pre-work conversation. So often I’m reminded of the balm of a hot shower and the added blessing a soft, clean towel. If the day gets no better than that, I still am blessed indeed.
Watching my children play sports, instruments, learn, laugh, pray, and being kind to each other and those around them. They bring me more joy than I ever knew was possible.
Being able to stay home with my kids and be actively involved in their lives. My husband also brings me great joy everyday.
I think the best everyday thing that I can think of is my dog, Rikki. She is always happy and smiling – all she wants is love and some time. This is always encouraging, even on the toughest day 🙂 Your book sounds wonderful and I would love to read it. Hopefully I win!
Everyday blessings are everywhere, though while battling serious health issues somedays they seem harder to spot. I am blessed with my wonderful husband who does everything within his power to make my life less painful in any way he can. His empathy and love for me are a direct blessing from The Lord. We celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary recently and I thank God for him every day.
These comments have made my day! Thank you, everyone! It’s amazing how focusing on the lovely details changes the whole picture. Today, I’m thankful for a full night’s sleep for the first time in weeks, a good cup of coffee (it takes a lot more than one night to make up for chronic insomnia), and my wonderful husband who took the day off work to go on a field trip with one of our kiddos.
Thanks for your post, Carly. Right now I am praising God for his precious gift of family. And especially a big, loud, and loving one that you can be yourself around. Some people do not have this privilege around the holidays so I am counting my blessings that God has blessed me with my family.
I have two cats and they constantly bring me joy. They like to surround me when I’m eating and beg for a taste.
My husband and I get to keep our three yr old grandson while his parents work. He recently broke his collarbone so it’s more of a challenge, but still a joy!
An every day blessing is waking each day in a free country and the ability to praise and worship an awesome God. Great post, thanks for the opportunity to win!
I so enjoyed reading these comments, everyone! Thank you for taking the time to share the things you’re grateful for. It lifted my spirits to read them. Thankfulness is contagious. 🙂
Being retired enjoying each day with my husband. We take a little drive everyday to enjoy the beautiful day 🙂
Ooh, great giveaway, Carla and Becky! Christian fiction giveaways are one of those things that give me joy 🙂
Let’s see, what gives me that everyday joy? With my college graduation and lots of big changes just around the corner in December, I’m grateful for the parts of my life that remain constant: my family’s support, a few really strong friendships, the comfort of a Father who knows what’s ahead when I can’t see.
This long weekend of October break. The job opportunities starting to percolate. A really good book to read when I need a break. One of my best friends living right across the hall from me now and offering me her support and encouragement every day.
Thanks, Carla!
I married this year for the first time at the age of 41! My new husband makes me smile everyday=)
Friday it was first graders telling very unfunny jokes during lunch. They often made no sense, but what joy they gave to my heart. What blessing from God little children are!
Mornings give me joy. The opportunity to start out fresh anew each morning is a blessing each day.
Colorful leaves, fresh coffee, family, health and the freedom to come and go as we please!