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Author Debra Clopton & Where Does Strength Come From?

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My guest today is Author Debra Clopton who is known for her “Mule Hollow” books. I’ve met Debra and her smile lights up everyone around her. She’s offering a book giveaway so don’t forget to leave a comment. Here’s Debra:

“I love strong women and count myself as one. I have always been one to encourage other women to be strong and to push themselves because I believe everyone can handle far more than they think they can. In 2003 when my first husband whom I’d been married to for 22 years passed away suddenly it was devastating, and my darkest hour. One of the ways that God helped me through it was that I knew that grief was not a singular journey for any of us. God had not singled me out for this terrible reality I and my sons were facing. Because I knew and accepted this, it helped me to understand that I could take my journey and use it to help others who were grieving. Others who had lost their husbands reached out to me and I have tried to honor Wayne’s memory by doing the same, offering comfort—part of that is to use my life experiences in my books and pray it touches someone.

I love to tell other women, “You can handle more than you think you can with God’s help.” The Bible tells us that all things can be used for good—and that means even our darkest hours can be used for God’s glory if we acknowledge that He helped us and then reach out to others.

I love this verse: Psalm 138:3 “When I called, you answered me; Lord, you made me bold and stouthearted.”

God helped me be bold in my life after Wayne’s death and stouthearted through the journey and beyond. God will give you strength even when you don’t feel you have it, just call on His name and believe. You may be going through the death of a loved one, or a divorce or fighting an illness or addiction…God can help you find your strength through anything.

In my stories I always write strong heroines who are fighting to meet a challenge or overcome a fear of some sort. Gabi Newberry in my latest book HER LONE STAR COWBOY is a new Christian and recovering alcoholic. Gabi is a strong character but she is challenged in this book to face some deep fears while helping the hero face his own fears. Gabi, to me is a woman who comes face to face with the woman she sees herself becoming and decides that is not the woman she wants to be. She is courageous in her decision to make a life change and stick to that decision even after it costs her more than she’d known it would. Sorry that’s all I can say without giving away the plot. But, to me Gabi is one of the strongest heroines I’ve ever written because of this aspect of the plot. I hope you’ll pick up a copy and take the journey with her.

Thanks for having on your blog today Lyn. Until next time, live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts!”–Debra

Recently I had a guest author who spoke of the Widow’s Journey. Who was she and what advice did she give widows? Did Debra follow her advice?  LEAVE A COMMENT and be entered into a drawing for Her Lone Star Cowboy.–Lyn

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Author Debra Clopton & Where Does Strength Come From? — 20 Comments

  1. I love all the Mule Hollow and Dry Creek books. I’ve started collecting them years ago but have moved several times. I’m startin my collection again and can’t wait to read them again. These types of inspirational books never grow old.

    These strong women are someone I want to be like. I don’t see myself that way but it’s something to strive for. Five years ago I lost my job. Six months after that I lost my home. That’s the first home I bought myself after my divorce. That loss was very heartbreaking to me. I’ve hung onto my van by pray alone because there were months that I was afraid I would walk outside to go to work and the van not be there. I’m finally caught back up on the payments and have been for almost a year. I have 9 more payments on it. Praise the Lord. My credit is still a mess. I live in an apartment that is absolutely horrible from the noisy neighbors all night long to the cigarete smoke that seeps in through the vents. But, I have had this job for over three years, (while it’s not the best I’m still working and I’m grateful for what it is until God leads me somewhere else), I have a church home that I love, I’m going back to school at 50 years old (what have I done)? LOL.

    The best thing I can tell someone who has been through a crisis of any kind is “Pray it through”. Call on the only name that can overcome anything and that is where you’ll find your peace.

    The words of encouragement I find within these wonderful books have helped me hold onto my faith when even some Churches couldn’t help. I have a great church home now though. Surround yourself with the people God wants you to associate with and borrow strength from them when you can’t find your own. They’ll borrow from you from time to time as well.

    Thanks Ms. Clopton for the wonderful books you write. Thanks for the sense of fellowship, fun and encouragement you offer to all of us.

    Please continue to write. I promise I’ll continue to read and reread them.

    Blessings to you and all your readers.

    Michele

  2. Thank you all for your responses to my blog. Thank you all for your kind words about my books and thank you for your own stories of strength. You touched me…God bless you all.

  5. Thank you Jennifer! I agree with you. I take it as an honor when I can share the story of how sweetly God prepared me for Wayne’s death even though I had no clue how my life was about to change. But He did. He had given me and our sons moments of time with Wayne that were beautiful gifts that I didn’t realize in the moment were gifts. I saw this when I looked back.

  6. Amazing!!! I wondered why I am so drawn to your books Miss Debra. In April 2002 I suddenly lost my husband of almost 13 years. Devastating doesn’t seem like a strong enough word for how I felt; there were times, when my grief was overwhelming and I needed someone to hold me & reassure me. That’s when I would feel the sweet hand of God touching me; a scripture would come to my mind or a friend would call or email me an encouraging word. I remember one time in particular, a friend I hadn’t seen in over a year, sat down beside me at a campmeeting service & simply wrapped his arms around me….in that gentle hug, I found the comfort of God Himself and to this day, I am amazed that He takes notice of “li’l ol’ me” and my needs on a daily basis. God has been so good to me through the last 10 years. It’s been a little rough; but, I can honestly say He’s never left me nor forsaken me. My children are almost grown now(they were 9 & 7 when their Daddy died) & each day with them I treasure more than the last. I didn’t find your books until about 2 years ago, but I was immediately drawn to them…now I know why. 🙂 Thank you for the wonderful stories that you write, and the inspiration that you pass onto your readers.

  8. Debra, I have really enjoyed your Mule Hollow Series and have recommended it to many friends. I totally agree with you that we are able to handle far more than we realize. This, not of our own strength, but because of the One who lives within us and who empowers us to do great and mighty things! I’m so thankful that God understands our hurts and that he cares enough to mercifully see us through the hard times as well as blessing us with many great times.

    I read a lot, and one of my all time favorite characters is Lacy Brown. What a great reminder to be excited about my faith in Jesus and to be constantly looking for opportunities to introduce people to Jesus! This new character, Gabi, reminded me a lot of Lacy. She wanted so much to be used by God. That’s my desire, but sadly, I know I’m not always that enthusiastic. My salvation and relationship with Jesus is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I should be more excited about it. I’m looking forward to many more books in this series! 🙂

  9. I love all the Love Inspired authors for using their gift of writing of hope to help me realize if the characters get their own problems–I can get through mine. I am so grateful that we have this resource. I think the main thing with Love Inspired– I learned that you gotta put your faith in God first and then he makes great things happen.

  10. I <3 your books and Mule Hollow! I am addicting to them as much as I am to Janet T's Dry Creek ones! lol Love your testimony of God's faithfulness and redeeming love. I think a lot of us get bogged down with the weight of our circumstances and realize that maybe God is letting us go through it so that we can be able to share with others how He is able to carry you through the fire. "ALL thing work together for the good of those who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28 That's the first thing that popped into my mind as I was reading your post. You might now see it now through the pain and heartache, but you when you come to the other side you can see it. Been through something myself and having to constantly remind yourself that there is a purpose for pain is rather hard, but worth it in the end.

  12. Jane Myers Perrine. And yes. Dear Debra, What an amazing beacon of light you are to those who at the crossroads when tradgedy strike; whether to turn away from God or draw closure to Him. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m truly touched! And thank you Lynn!
    jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com

  13. I bought this one as soon as it hit the shelves. Debra’s been on my ‘must buy’ list since The Trouble With Lacy Brown came out. I never miss a Mule Hollow story.

    I come from a long line of strong women. My great-grandmother was widowed twice by the time she was thirty, and finished raising 7 kids on her own. My grandfather left my grandmother with three kids and one on the way. She raised those four kids on a waitress’s pay until she met her second wonderful husband. My mom raised three of us mostly on her own, her second husband wasn’t the man her step-dad was. My older sister has raised her son alone after her ex husband was sent to prison for abusing him. She’s

    I’ve been blessed so far in my life not to need that kind of strength. I have a wonderful husband who provides for me and our daughter, and he puts up with me when I’m sure no one else would.

    I praise God for that blessing, and also for the legacy of strength that went before me, showing me what a woman can be with God by her side.

  15. Thank you Susan. Not having t o deal with chronic pain is something that is easily taken for granted by those of us who don’t have to deal with that every day. My heart goes out to all who must find a way to handle constant pain. God will help. I’m so glad my books help boost you up on a hard day. I really keep entertainment high on my list when I write. I want to make people smile and relax for the little while they spend in Mule Hollow.
    God Bless 🙂

  16. Great blog. Sometimes it’s hard to realize that God hasn’t singled us out for a hardship… more often than not, we know someone that is going through/has gone through/will go through the tough situation we are in, and if we let Him, God will use us to speak into their lives.

    About the book… LOVE the cover, and who doesn’t love cowboys?? 🙂
    Thanks for the giveaway and a chance to win.

  18. Dear Debra,

    I loved your comments and had no idea you had suffered such a tragedy that does unfortunately happen to many people. I haven’t suffered that kind of tragedy but the only place my true strength comes from is to rely upon the Lord for all things. He can help me make more out of my life than I can alone. I thank you for sharing your experience and how you became stronger because of it. I have never read any of your books without being touched in some beautiful way. Thank you.

  20. I love Debra’s books. I’ll be looking for this one at the store. 🙂 I love reading a book with a strong heroine because so many women in my life have had to be very strong. I deal with a chronic disease so drawing on strength from God is a survival instinct. Reading books like the Mule Hollow series has helped boost me when I’m having rough days.

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