I blog on Facebook more often than I blog on my blog. This is another instance when I was “thinking out loud” and wrote my reflections on Facebook. Now I’ve decided to copy those thoughts to my blog. It all started like this a couple of days ago…
Most of the time, I really don’t think about my age, but I looked at the calendar today and started to think about turning 57 in a couple of weeks. Well, that sent me on a wild tangent. I started reflecting about a whole lot of things. I think I’m most reflective today simply because of the title of the book below on the left, For Such A Time As This that is coming out this month at the same time I’m turning 57. I am only a featured author in that book. There are 20 other contributing authors, so it’s most definitely not just about me.
This is the picture I posted on Facebook as I was reflecting on these 2 books.
A lot of people will make a statement and then say “for such a time as this”, but what does that really mean? At this stage in my life, I am convinced one thing it means to me personally is related to being an author…. A storyteller for such a time as this.
Not that I don’t want to be an author (now), but once upon a time, I really didn’t. NOT.AT.ALL! Like I’ve said before, this was God’s idea, not mine. I was reluctant, but after I surrendered MY will to become HIS will, I knew it was something divinely orchestrated that I was appointed to do. I am smart enough (better known as having enough faith) to know better than to try to convince God that he has given me something to do that I can’t handle.
So I started writing because that is what he gave me to do, certainly not because I felt equipped to do it. (He had to equip me too!) After all, I’m a nurse, not a writer. I used to be a computer programmer analyst too, but that’s another story.
Meanwhile in the midst of being an active “participant” in someone else’s anthology and coming along for the ride in promoting it and posting stuff all over social media and my website and blog about it, I am truly spending most of my time, every available minute that I can get a clear head, working on that other book above on the right, The Birthday Gift. If all goes as planned, I will re-launch the rebranded version on 12.01.2021, but right now my head is spinning.
As I think about what has changed in that book since I first released it in May, 2020 until what the bonus material will reveal in that same book this time around gives me justifiable reason to pause and reflect. I’m really writing The Birthday Gift for such a time as this. Now is the time, and it just so happens that I’m also part of the other book, aptly entitled For Such A Time As This.
I will be 56 when one comes out, and less than a month later, I will be 57 when the other comes out. Both really are for such a time as this, but for vastly different reasons. It just wasn’t supposed to happen until 2021…. because of the times in which we are living these days. The message in both truly are for such a time as this. So when you see me post about both books, please know this is NOT my idea, and it’s certainly NOT for me or about me. It’s something much greater for which I have no control over. The books are actually for the readers who will benefit from reading them… for such a time as this. They are for y’all, not me.
That was the gist of my Facebook post. I guess the older we get, the more reflective we become. It seems my reflections have been working overtime lately though. Perhaps you are even reflecting on some things in your life as you’re reading this.
I’ve blogged about both books before, so I hope you are excited about both of them coming out over the next 30 days. Just to give you a few more details in case you have not visited my website lately:
I’m actually rebranding The Birthday Gift, which is my first fictional work. It was originally released in May 2020 and will be relaunched in December 2021 with an upgraded cover and new features inside including a “behind the scenes” section of epic proportions. I’m the only author featured in the John 3:16 Global Placement Mission. As a storyteller, I have been commissioned to write a series of 5 fictional books for this project. The Birthday Gift is the first one.
The Birthday Gift Movie (Book)Trailer
While this appears to be an intriguing tale of heartbreak and hope, what this book as well as the 4 others that will be part of this book series all have in common is that they will deliver the gospel message found in John 3:16.
What really made me reflect is the role I’m playing in the other book though as a featured author. I only have a 1,000 word chapter in that book. There are 20 other co-authors who all have 2,500 word chapters. The author compiling all the stories asked me about being featured in the book. It’s title alone has opened up new doors and a new audience that I had not been able to reach yet. That makes it quite surreal to know this is happening at the same time I have begun working on my new 5-book series… which is truly for such a time as this, but that’s not the title of the series. The series is actually The Birthday Gift Book Series.
If you’d like more information about the anthology, you are welcome to tune in on Saturday, November 13 at 7:00 P.m. EST for our Book Launch Celebration. You will have the opportunity to hear from all 20 co-authors who will be sharing hope, wisdom, inspiration and a little about their chapters. Reserve your free virtual seat for the celebration here.
Visit my website for more information about this anthology and find out how you can order the paperback. You will get a free copy of my eBook, The Birthday Gift if you place your order by November 15th. Details are on my website here.
Now I’d like to pose a question to you. Is there anything in particular that you have been reflecting on lately that you would like to share in the comments? I’d love to hear from you and see what’s on your mind… for such a time as this.
Timing was perfect to launch my new book, The Birthday Gift, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic while people felt they were still somewhat safer-at-home, while others were somewhat bored or perhaps even somewhat fearful of the unknown. Who wouldn’t spend a mere $0.99 cents to purchase an eBook advertised as being an exceptionally thought provoking story of heartbreak and hope? Even the book trailer made you feel like this was a great alternative to fill the void of not being able to indulge in a new movie at the theatre on Friday night. Just watch this:
Everything was still kind of shutdown or just starting to reopen, so I hoped this would be a great weekend to persuade people to take a chance on spending a dollar and discovering this new (movie)… book which was exactly what they needed during these unprecedented times. It would literally have the power to change their lives. All they had to do was download the eBook and start reading instantly. Many told me they read the whole book in one sitting after getting hooked from the very beginning!
Why drop everything and read this book right now?
Because it really can change your life!
Just look at the reviews people are leaving on Amazon.
So what’s inside the book? Here’s the beginning of the spoiler alert:
And this is the full blown spoiler…
The Gospel Symbol, created by Terry Gurley
The Birthday Gift is indeed an exceptionally thought-provoking and intriguing story that will uplift and inspire you.
It will hook you from the very first page and compel you to continue reading until the very end.
You will become emotionally attached to the passionate characters and feel like they are part of your family.
If you don’t typically read fiction, you will be glad you gave this book a chance because it takes you on an emotional journey you won’t soon forget.
As K. Young said, you will love how the storyline was written, and the fact that it was intertwined with such messages of love, grace, heartache, forgiveness and so much more.
The message inside the book is exactly what we all need to be reminded of, especially during such a time as this. That message is JESUS! He is the greatest gift of all!
The actual “Birthday Gift” is the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed below in this beautiful Gospel Symbol created by artist, Terry Gurley, the author of the afterword in the book.
The Final Spoiler Alert
The Gospel Symbol, a sculpture created by Terry Gurley
So as the world continues to reopen while fighting this novel coronavirus, we will face the reality of a new sense of normalcy. Through it all, rest assured that one thing will ALWAYS remain the same, the gospel of Jesus Christ. In our search for answers and quest to decipher fact versus fear, remember that FAITH is the key that unlocks the door. There is no mystery and absolutely no failure in God!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Purchase the book here on Amazon, and keep reading all the way to the very last page. Everything suddenly becomes abundantly clear, and you will discover the very best birthday gift ever!
Click the [FREE PREVIEW] button above to take a look inside the first few chapters of the book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
As for the virtual book launch party on Facebook, we had a lot of fun and games as people enjoyed reading the eBook for the very first time. I gave away over $500 in Amazon gift cards, and one lucky attendee walked away with the grand prize, an exact replica of the actual birthday gift. Terry Gurley created a stunning framed presentation of the Gospel Symbol, both the artistic rendition and sculpture just like the ones pictured above in the spoiler alerts. The winner said, “These are just gorgeous. Terry totally outdid himself. They are just beautiful. I can’t wait to hang them. I will have to show these off for sure!”
And thanks to everyone who helped make the book launch a huge success. Because of YOU, The Birthday Gift debuted May 1-2, 2020 and made 2 separate outstanding lists on Amazon, their best-selling “hot new releases” and most popular “gift ideas”.
If you’ve read the book, please let me know what you think. I would love for you to share your thoughts on Amazon by leaving a review. Those reviews will help other people discover the book by increasing the chances of it appearing in general searches.
Thank you very much for your encouragement and support! I feel the love and hope you share it with others just like this person did. Here’s a text I received during the launch.
If you have the luxury of sitting quietly for a couple of hours to indulge in an inspirational story, A Gift for Me by Tosha Holliman would be the perfect book! I was immediately captivated by the smile on the little boy’s face standing there with his two prosthetic legs on the front cover, and then I saw what appeared to be “a gift” in someone’s hands in the background. The gift was that same little boy, appearing to be not much older than a newborn in the picture, with no legs and missing part of one arm. HE was the gift, the good and perfect gift from above! (James 1:17)
It didn’t take long because just reading the table of contents sucked me in. Once I started, I honestly could not put the book down. It’s literally one that you can read from cover to cover without ever getting out of your seat. I found myself rushing through page after page because I couldn’t wait to see what the author was going to say on the next page. I felt myself full of all the same emotions she experienced as she described her life’s journey and innermost thoughts. The struggles with love, compassion, heartache, heartbreak, disappointment, frustration, shock, concern, anger, devastation, hurt, pain, and unforgiveness seemed so very real as I found myself praying along with her.
I could identify with Tosha, the wife and mother of 4, although I basically had nothing in common with her other than wanting what we all want out of our Christian walk with the Lord, a perfectly normal and happy family living a quiet and peaceful life. That would not be the case for Tosha and her baby boy; yet she discovered God had something much more precious in store for her. This gift came with strings attached because this gift was given to bring glory to God.
You’ll read the book’s synopsis on the back cover which explains against all odds, this mother decided to keep her baby even when doctors said you still have a small window to abort. As she felt him move and heard his heart beat for the first time, her heart, body, and soul connected with his immediately as he continued to grow and thrive in the womb. God gave her a glimpse of Aidan walking one day. She believed whole-heartedly in the power of God. In this excellent testament of a mother’s love for her child, she opens the story of her life and shares the true blessing of Aidan Jeremiah as God is continually being glorified through their lives.
I highly recommend anyone searching for answers or needing encouragement along life’s journey to pick up a copy of this book. You will experience God’s grace and mercy like never before. Although your journeys may be different, you will form an immediate connection with this loving, faithful mother. You will find yourself bonding with Aidan and cheering for him before he was even born. This is certainly a gift that will bless you beyond measure!
Then visit https://www.facebook.com/PeculiarUnLIMBitedFoundation/ for more information and find out how Mrs. Holliman is encouraging and inspiring others to go from impossible to possible. Aidan is UnLIMBited and will inspire others to live life with no LIMBits! As an added bonus, you’ll find some very cute videos of Aidan on that Facebook page too.
As Aidan’s photo card says: Thank you for sharing my journey with me and for accepting me for who I am…. Aidan
If you’d like to meet Tosha, she’s hosting a book signing in the Memphis area on February 18, 12:00-2:00 p.m. Come get to know her while enjoying refreshments, prizes, and hear excerpt readings from her book. And guess what; I have a gift for YOU, the first 3 people who leave a comment on this blog post! I’m going to her book signing and will purchase 3 books to give away. If you’d like for me to send you a complimentary copy of A Gift for Me, just be one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on this blog post, and I’ll ship you an autographed copy after the book signing. That’s my gift to the first 3 people who comment on this post. Has Tosha’s story changed the way you look at challenges you may be facing? Have you ever received a gift you didn’t think you wanted, but now you can’t live without? What gift has God surprised you with?
When I started writing what I thought would be my first and only book in January 2009, I thought it was totally about me. It didn’t take me long at all to realize that it was really about God’s amazing love and abundant blessings. The book was to bring HIM honor and glory. As I’ve noted on my website, I’m a nurse by profession, author by passion, and storyteller by the grace of God. My desire is to help readers discover that we all live inside testimonies meant to be shared to help inspire and encourage others.
Now that it has been almost 7 years since my first book, and I’m in the process of “wishing” to begin my 5th one, I want to take some time through this blog to reflect on each one. I hope that you have been inspired, encouraged, and enlightened. I hope that you have discovered that you do indeed live inside a testimony too and that by sharing your own testimony, you can help inspire and encourage other people. For we are overcome by the words of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11)
Living Inside The Testimony took me only 30 days to write the first draft from cover to cover. It took 44 years of living before I was prepared to write it. I had been living inside the testimony my whole life, but it wasn’t until God sat me down to right the book that I realized it.
I have come to realize that God was with me all along, and even when I did not acknowledge him in my life as I should have, he was always with me to ensure that I would walk down the path he had pre-ordained for me. Like the song says, Order my Steps in Your Word…. So even though the book is about me, it’s not “really” about me. It’s my testimony that I hope by sharing, others will discover God’s amazing love and abundant blessings in their own lives.
As one book reviewer described it, “This book is not your everyday read. It’s far from it. It’s a wonderfully amazing story of Ms. Collier’s walk with God. It’s her living testimony, her daily struggles, her daily acceptance that she is walking with her Father. Ms. Collier’s testimony is told with exuberance and love, helping people to understand that there will be trials along the way, but having faith and hope in your heart will help you to overcome any obstacle. From her ups and downs with her high school boyfriend, to marrying him, and living life as a wife, to work and pregnancy and family, Ms. Collier shares tragedies and milestones.” (Reviewed by Molly E. for Readers’ Favorite)
Angel in My Room is a story of love, compassion, and forgiveness. I hosted an online radio talk show for about 6 months (but that’s another story) and had the distinct honor and blessed privilege to interview Lillie Hopkins as she told her story for the first time after keeping silent for 31 years. After the interview, it became apparent to both of us that she had so much more to share that would be a blessing to so many other people struggling with the insecurities of love, compassion, and forgiveness. We had no idea when the interview first aired in February, 2011 that the end result would be this book which I released a short 7 months later.
I never thought I would write anything. I certainly didn’t think I’d write a book about my own testimony, let alone the testimony of someone else. But there I was in 2011 writing another book. Lillie had waited 31 years to talk about it, and she chose me to tell her story. Well, that’s not exactly true. God chose me. He knew all along that I would write it all those years later, and the sole purpose once again was to bring HIM honor and glory for what he had done through Lillie’s life.
Sometimes other people can describe it much better than I can. “Betty Collier has done an amazing job of writing Lillie’s story into a marvelous and inspiring book. The chapters flow nicely and once I began reading this book, I found myself so intertwined with it that I couldn’t put it down. I was truly moved and it tugged at my heart greatly. I also thank Lillie for sharing her story because it will inspire so many people who have not had the courage to forgive themselves even though God has forgiven them so easily. Through one woman’s journey, we feel her heartache and pain, her personal sacrifice, and her devotion to God. This is such a moving story and so many of us can relate to Lillie’s pain and suffering. Not all people are able to move past the agony and despair, but this book will change people’s lives forever.” (Reviewed by Rita V for Readers’ Favorite)
SHOWgrins will captivate you as you read the five inspirational stories of courage, determination and spirit from women who refuse to define themselves as only Sjogren’s patients. Join them on their journey of self-discovery as they reclaim their lives and find new purposes and meaning to how they can make a difference and be the women they always wanted to be. Those are the words of Steven Taylor, CEO, Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation. Sjogren’s (pronounced SHOWgrins, hence the title of the book) is actually an autoimmune disease that few have heard about, yet 4 million Americans suffer from this incurable disease on a daily basis.
I started my journey with this book basically because I identified with the common symptoms of this difficult to diagnose disease, and I thought I had it too. It wasn’t until midway through writing it that my doctor told me he didn’t think I had Sjogren’s. But I was determined to tell the stories of the five fabulous women in the book to help bring about more awareness and education, as well as to raise much-needed funds for research into treatment and a cure one day. I ended the book by declaring my life was far better after meeting these 5 incredible women even though I didn’t have Sjogren’s. Well, as God’s Master Plan would later unveil, 2 years after I published the book, that same doctor officially diagnosed me as having Sjogren’s after all. WOW! WHEW! WHAT!?!? I never wanted to have Sjogren’s, but I did want to know if I had it, so that I could learn how to live well despite having it. So once again, I realized it wasn’t about me after all. It was about the 5 women in the book and what I could learn from them. Had I never met them, I likely would have crumbled and fallen apart after years and years of searching for answers to all that ailed me. Not only was my mission accomplished to bring about awareness and education of this little known disease, I was well-prepared for what I would learn to face for the rest of my life. Instead of being devastated, I am more determined than ever.
However, for those of you reading this post who know my mother, don’t tell her I have Sjogren’s! I don’t want her to worry about me. Please and Thank You!
The Book about James is my fourth book, but I am delighted that Julia Gray wrote it for me! Okay, so I was her mentor, consultant, manager, coach, and even picked the picture for the front cover, but James is her son, and she was the best one to actually tell that story. The book was my idea, I had the vision, but I couldn’t write it like she could. I had planned to write it, but once again, “fate” stepped in, a.k.a. GOD stepped in. Little did I know when I first asked Julia if she would be willing to share her innermost thoughts about raising James that she had always desired to write a book. I had no idea, and quite frankly, I was afraid that she would reject my book proposal. Once again, I learned by being obedient to what I felt God had called me to do, I helped Julia fulfill a dream of hers. More importantly, the book is changing lives and misperceptions about children with special needs. According to Jo Gilbert, Executive Director of Madonna Learning Center, “This book makes you laugh, cry, and give thanks, but it also inspires you to experience the love and joy that children with Down syndrome have to offer. God places children with special needs in our paths for a reason, and he is in full control.” Ms. Gilbert’s words ring true on so many levels. God puts many things, people, and situations in our paths for a reason.
As a judge from Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards noted, “When people of faith talk about situations that may not be ideal, sometimes the temptation is to sugarcoat the less glamorous side of life. Yet Mrs. Gray lets us see the darker side of her thoughts without becoming maudlin, self-pitying, or causing the reader to doubt God’s faithfulness. This book is uplifting and definitely one that will be appreciated by Christians everywhere. I feel certain this book will be a perennial resource for those who need it. I hope readers who need it most will find it.” So, with that being said, it doesn’t really matter that the whole thing was my idea, does it? What matters is that Julia did a beautiful job telling her story, and for that, God will once again receive all the honor and glory.
And finally, about this “wishful thinking” 5th book which I have actually been praying about for the past 4 years… I fretted over whether to include this as part of my post at all. I woke up this morning with no intentions of writing anything today. After all, Christmas is right around the corner, I have oral surgery for some major dental work scheduled for Monday morning (part of those issues I deal with because of Sjogren’s, but that too is another story), and I have so many other things to do. I won’t even go there as I’m sure your TO DO lists are just as overwhelming as mine. Anyway, halfway through the day, I grabbed my laptop and took a seat in my favorite room in my house to try to get motivated while I looked at all my pretty Christmas decorations. I knew it was time! I prayed, asked for guidance as to what I needed to share with you today, and if I should include this picture.
No, it’s not a book cover, but it is the beginning of my next journey which actually began over 4 years ago. For the sake of brevity (which I think I have already surpassed) let me back up just a tad bit and explain. This is a picture of Mr. Keith Lee and me from a couple of months ago when I had the privilege of meeting him for the first time to present my book proposal. (I couldn’t leave without getting an autographed basketball! After all, I was a Keith Lee super-fan long before I became an author). He never said I couldn’t share this picture with others, but I have been hanging on to it and not saying a word as I patiently and prayerfully wait for him to give me an answer about allowing me to have the honor of writing his testimony! If you’re not from Memphis or didn’t follow his basketball career, look here for more information about Keith Lee. This is probably the most “public” information you will ever read about him. Even in today’s social media craze, some people prefer to remain private, and very little is known about the personal side of Keith Lee. As the article states:
The media had always wanted the quiet 6-11 giant to say more, and now here was another reporter, asking the 51-year-old former Memphis State forward to reminisce on his college playing days more than a quarter-century after he led the Tigers to the 1985 Final Four.
Lee very politely declined. Maybe some other time. “I thank the fans for their support,” he said softly, clearly still appreciative of his place in Tigers history and in the hearts of the thousands who cheered for him from 1981-85.
He would simply prefer to remain private, like he always has…
And while he remains a private man, Lee said he’s enjoying himself as a coach at Raleigh-Egypt, where he’s sharing his knowledge of the game with players too young to know how dominant he was at the college level. Five years ago, he earned his degree at Memphis in interdisciplinary studies.
“I give God all the glory. I’m just a vessel used by God,” said Lee, who spent three seasons in the NBA and several more as a pro in the Continental Basketball Association and United States Basketball League.
Although I have no idea if this book will ever come to fruition, just accepting the fact that it is possible gives me the faith to believe. Perhaps it won’t be Keith Lee (because he is really a very private person who doesn’t even grant interviews, let alone entertain the idea of someone writing a book about him) so if this doesn’t work out, I’m sure another name will pop in my head, and God will direct me further. I certainly won’t be discouraged. For now I am satisfied just knowing I can accept this idea without doubting God, so whatever he decides to do, and wherever he decides to lead me, I’ll be there, ready to interview and write the testimony… whether it’s Keith Lee or somebody who is completely off my radar right now. The more I think about it, the more insane it sounds, but I will leave this paragraph here anyway. Only the Lord knows if this is going to happen or not. And if it does NOT, then the seed has already been planted in my head for me to “dream big” so even if I’m not ever going to be Living Inside the Testimony with Keith Lee, it will be someone…. Someone who walks through the door that the Lord opens. (Actually this paragraph is what I wrote on 4/7/11 when I first started praying about this book, and I just copied it here because it seems to fit.) I thought it and wrote it in April, 2011, and I still think it now.
I know Keith Lee has a story to tell. He has never told it. I know he has a testimony to share. He has never shared it publicly. I know there is no one who can help him tell it better than I can. I am praying that God will help him understand that so that he can be a blessing to others. It has nothing to do with my confidence or lack thereof. It has nothing to do with my writing ability or lack thereof. As a matter of fact, it has nothing to do with me at all. Quite simply, “Living Inside the Testimony with Keith Lee” is all about bringing honor and glory to God. I am assured of that, whether I ever write the book or not.
What testimonies do you have just waiting to be shared with others?
