Boy 1 ran in with the mail last night, a package tucked under his arm.
“What is that?” I asked.
“A package,” he answered.
Right-o. I love this first boy, so guileless and uncomplicated. I swallowed the dry, sarcastic answer on my lips and looked at the mailing label.
Good grief, it’s from the publisher of a new book by Kathi Lipp that includes one of my blog posts.
In fact, the package is the book. Butterflies and fireworks began exploding in my very soul.
I ripped open the envelope and leafed through the chapters. I found my excerpt, right there on page 138 under the heading “When You Feel Broken”.
I felt so…published.
And then this really awesome thing happened, that had to happen, because God enjoys poking at my pride and playing cute little jokes on me. It’s His special way of loving me, and I can’t explain it except to say that, well, He’s God and so He gets to do whatever He likes.
I don’t know why, but I anticipated seeing my whole name at the end of my little contribution, but instead, it was just my first name, “Carrie”.
I showed Mr. Fantastic and the kids, and Boy 3 made a fabulous suggestion:
“That’s okay. You can just write “Stephens” in there yourself!”
God is so funny.
He’s looking down at me, smiling and saying, “It’s not about you,” and because a good way to avoid having your ego shattered is to inflate it a bit more with unreality, I’m looking back at Him saying,
“I know. But now this means that I’m first-name famous, like “Madonna”, “Tiger”, or “Mary”.”
Or not. You know, whatever.
In all reality, I am amazed that words my fingers typed were considered worthy of being included in such a lovely book abut prayer. I am beyond blessed to think that there may be a few people who hear God’s own voice in what He birthed in my own soul.
I’m also grateful to have a new book to read, and the fact that its title is “Praying God’s Word for Your Life” lets me know that God is still up there laughing at me just a little bit, because His word to me lately has been this:
“The greatness is all Mine.”
And so it is. Yes, Lord, so. it. is.
Love it! So fired up for you! You are all gold, thru and thru!
Aw, thanks, Matt!!
Oh, Carrie, Congrats on your exciting publishing endeavor! I am laughing with you because God has used hilarious ways to battle my tendency toward pride, too. I think CARRIE, just CARRIE sounds like the next top ten hit 🙂 By the way, I LOVE your blog. I don't comment much, since I indulge in reading your words when I'm on my phone sitting in the carpool line or on the sidelines of a ball game, but every time I finish a post, I just smile and whisper, AMEN! I'm a mom of five in the same season of life as you, and God never fails to speak into my world through your faithful scribbles here. THANK YOU! -Alicia@The Overflow