Wait: Access to Heaven through Surrendered Love
Author Barbara Vertell Jones asked me to be a contributing editor for her book, Wait: Access to Heaven through Surrendered Love in 2023. According to the author, “This book is dedicated to [her] amazing, loving, caring, and affectionate Godsend husband Robert Louis Jones, who was graciously ushered into the presence of Our Lord after suffering from multiple strokes” (Jones). I am a “hopeful” romantic, so I was honored to partner with her because this is a true love story! On this journey, I encountered a 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 kind of love.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 states, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.“
To be honest, this encounter challenged me spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. First, I should confess that I never read or write stories with a sad ending. I am a happily ever after kind of girl; however, after our initial meeting, it was obvious that God wanted me to be a part of this writing project. So, with a box of Kleenex beside me, I started to edit the book and boy, did the tears come! While I won’t give too much away, I will share this moment with you.
As I edited the February 28, 2019 journal entry on page 77, my heart pounded and I literally had to fight back the tears. It was as if I could feel the weight she was carrying at that moment. After all, she’d waited so long to have her husband home with her again. Now, she had to wait for therapists to call and schedule their appointments with him. In the meantime, she was worried about her husband’s wellbeing because he was still very sick. Soul Searching family, if this scene played out in a movie, which I could envision, I would be the one in the theater, unable to contain my emotions. You see, I wanted the medical profession to act quickly. I wanted them to calm her fears and put her mind at ease.
Well, as she waited to receive the help she needed from medical professionals, God continued to renew her strength and direct her path. As a result, Holy Spirit used her testimony to teach me a very important lesson during this writing process. As believers in Christ, we do not wait for people to solve our problems. (The fact is people do not always call or return our calls in a timely manner and sometimes they do not show up for us at all). Ultimately, the author waited for God to provide for her husband’s needs and He showed up everytime!!! He provided the resources. He made divine appointments on their behalf. She met amazing medical professionals and connected with God fearing men and women along the way. Of course, it was not easy, so He even sent angels to comfort them. Yep! You heard me. Angels! Get your copy today and let Holy Spirit join you on this soul searching journey.
#A Soul Searching Book Review#
