Take Time To Help

We’ve all been there—overwhelmed by our own lives and then someone asks us to take the time to help them. What do you do?

There is no one correct answer. But I’d encourage you to pray and seek the right answer before saying “yes” or “no” to this friend or acquaintance.

Recently, a writer friend who is not as well-known as some (but I know she is a very good word-crafter), asked me if I’d consider reading and possibly endorsing her upcoming release.

My own life is beyond stressful at the moment with multiple family health needs and more work responsibilities added to the mix of what I call, “Cooper Crazy.” In the midst of my craziness, something nudged me in my heart to say “yes.”

She was thrilled and sent me her Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) which I promptly asked Kindle to send to my device. {If you’ve never done that, send the word doc or PDF to your kindle address and in the subject line write, “Please Convert.”}

Her book revealed itself as an engaging and well written historical that kept me up late at night. I couldn’t wait to finish it to find out what happened. I was more than thrilled to endorse it for her.

I sent off the endorsement and in a couple of emails back and forth, I soon discovered what a needed blessing it was for her. She was truly doubting herself as an author and questioning whether or not her book was any good at all. I knew immediately the evil one had been toying with her mind and I assured her the enemy of our souls was lying to her. I could practically feel her tears of relief through her words. My endorsement had validated the many hours of work she’d invested her time and heart into developing this novel.  

Her response touched me deeply. What had seemingly been a split-second decision that made me wonder if I was out of my mind for taking on one more task turned into such a blessing for both myself and my friend. I received the joy of reading her book and she received the encouragement she needed.

Is it always right to say “yes?” I think that would not be wise. We cannot help everyone. But when you feel that tug in your spirit to respond in the affirmative, God will make a way for you to fit in one more task. That “task” may be a delightful surprise for you, and a gift for a writer who needs your reassurance.

Carry on.

Elaine Marie Cooper has two historical fiction books that recently released: War’s Respite (Prequel novella) and Love’s Kindling. Love’s Kindling is available in both e-book and paperback. They are the first two books in the Dawn of America Series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. You can visit her website/ blog at www.elainemariecooper.com