2023 has been one of my most challenging years to date. But guess who’s never fazed by a challenge? Guess whose power is made perfect in our weakness so we can confidently declare, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10)?
While writing this blog post I finally realized why I have faced so much opposition this year, from seemingly random injuries to longstanding health issues flaring up, from financial difficulties to doors that refused to open…
I couldn’t figure out why these attacks kept coming no matter how much I prayed and stood on God’s Word by faith. But when I began writing this blog post it struck me that my trials of 2023 were directly related to the fact that I’d just written a book on Job!
After the publication of There Once Was a Man Who Suffered: The Book of Job in Limericks in November 2022, I heard of another author who experienced trial upon trial when he began writing on Job, the Bible’s book on suffering. And yet he lived to finish his book, and I have lived to write this blog! The Lord is truly faithful!
My good heavenly Father made sure 2023 had its share of blessings for me. Here are three highlights from the year that was.
One, I made my first-ever trip to New York, to attend my oldest niece’s graduation from Columbia Law School on May 15. The reunion was extra special because I was seeing my family for the first time since Mummy’s passing in May 2021. Manhattan gave us some fine weather, well befitting my niece’s dedication and hard work.
Two, at the NRB Convention in Orlando, also in May, I unexpectedly met Nick Vujicic, who graciously allowed me to read this limerick from the prologue to There Once Was a Man. It is referring to those who can only offer pat answers to our suffering. Also known as Job’s comforters.
They’ll remind you that millions of folk
Are sick, all alone, and flat broke
If your mood is the same
Eventually the name
Of Nick Vujicic they’re sure to invoke.
Three, June 29 marked my first decade as a published author! The Tenth Anniversary Edition of my first book, Pioneer Boulevard: Los Angeles Stories, was unfortunately delayed by six months, but I’m grateful it is now on Kindle and in paperback. This commemorative edition includes a bonus Q&A section with book insights and writing tips.
To celebrate these first ten years, the paperback will be available at a special price of $10 for the first ten days of its life. Offer valid in the US through Sunday, January 7. Grab a copy for the aspiring writers in your life!
If you do buy any of my books, I’d be grateful for published reviews, word-of-mouth publicity, and podcast interviews. And if you can help me with a tax-deductible gift, please visit the donate page of this site.
Thanks, and I wish each of you a fruitful and faith-filled 2024 in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
(c)2023 by Sharon Arpana Edwards. All rights reserved.
SHARON ARPANA EDWARDS 