My guest today is secular author Lisa Watson whom I discovered over at Shades of Romance http://www.sormag.blogspot.com Lisa writes for Harlequin’s Kimani Romance line, a secular line. I asked Lisa to share her experience in writing for a Guidepost devotional book in order to remind us that many secular authors also love Jesus. Here’s Lisa:

When God Creates an Opportunity

“I’ve learned that when God creates an opportunity for me, or presents a path I’m supposed to walk, it comes as a right place, right time prospect, or subtle suggestions.  I’m a published author and I write multicultural romances.  I love writing about strong characters drawn together by love, respect and familial ties.  I go about learning in a by-the-book manner, and never “wing” it when it comes to information I’m not well-versed on.  However, when this opportunity presented itself, I learned the true power of being brave, and just what faith was all about.

It started with a phone call.

My agent presented me with an opportunity.  She prefaced it with, “I know this is out of your comfort zone, but…” and asked if I were interested in writing for the new Mornings with Jesus devotional that Guideposts was publishing for 2013.  My first response was…Seriously? Me?  I pondered if I could even write a devotional, and what I would possibly have to say since I wasn’t a Christian fiction author, and not that knowledgeable.  But, like I said earlier, I believe that when we’re called to do something, especially out of our comfort zone, it’s for a purpose.

I asked my husband his opinion.

He said, “Can you write devotionals?”  I replied, “I don’t know, but apparently, I’m supposed to find out.”  I was intuitive enough to realize that God guided me toward this project for a reason.  I called her back and agreed.
I received a sample format and my deadline.  They wanted forty devotionals per author.  At first I worried.  “I’m not well-versed in scriptures…I’m hardly the most religious person I know…what if I made a mess of it?”  I decided to turn off the self-doubt and listen.  I had to be calm to hear the answers: That not being well versed in scriptures would help, not hinder me.  To trust that the words would be there when I needed them, my devotionals would be relevant, and would touch who they were supposed to.

I’d have Divine guidance to help me down my path—it was true.

To purchase, click here.

http://www.shopguideposts.org/devotionals-ebooks/mornings-with-jesus-2013.html

Scriptures that Moved Me

The words just flowed out of me and onto the page.  I found scriptures that moved me, and could relate them back to something that occurred in my life, or in someone’s life I knew.  Words can’t express how amazing the experience was—my cup runneth over.  The most memorable moment was receiving the first fan mail I’ve ever received by U.S. Mail.  It was a Thank You card from someone thanking me for writing my devotionals, and to say that I’d done a great job.  That what I said resonated in a profound way.
Had I not heeded God’s gentle prompting, I would’ve missed an opportunity to grow and touch readers in need of inspiration.  The abundant blessings wouldn’t have occurred had I not been strong enough to step outside of my comfort level—or had faith enough to walk my path.”–Lisa

Thanks, Lisa. I’m glad you took the challenge God laid before you.

QUESTION: Have any of you been faced with an opportunity to do something for God that challenged you? How did you respond? What happened?–Lyn

Connect with Lisa online:
Website: www.lisawatson.com Blog: http://www.lisaywatson.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NCLisaWatson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaYWatson