The Depth Book is One Year Old Today, so Thank You from the Bottom of my Heart for all your Love and Support!

Many authors refer to their books as babies!  

Perhaps it is because the writing and publishing process can feel like you are giving birth to a new life. Maybe anxious thoughts swirl in an author’s mind just like a newborn mother worries about her infant entering the world.  Or it could be the similarity to the time and energy spent naming this important offspring.  

I never understood this process until I walked this path myself!

Unlike the typical 9-month gestation period for a human, my book took five years to birth! (More than double the time for an elephant to put it into perspective!)

Each year taught me an important lesson! Some were for me personally like patience and perseverance. Others were for my writing and ministry as God grew my abilities and knowledge.

In God’s perfect timing, Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength was born on August 30, 2022.

I cannot believe we are celebrating its one-year birthday this week! I would love to share with you both the joys and disappointments from that special book release day as well as disclose some of life lessons God taught me. Let’s start with the joy!

The evening of the launch, family and friends gathered to celebrate this special milestone with me! With both laughter and tears, we prayed and commissioned Depth into the world! My heart was filled with joy as I heard my kids’ beautiful prayers over my book and my ministry! My mom and dad shared words of encouragement and even my mentor flew out for the special occasion. It was a night I will never forget! (Here is a link to a reel I made of that special night!)

I was in awe of how God’s peace settled over my soul that evening after a very stressful day involving a delay.

Just like some moms have complications at the hospital during their birthing process, I had my own set of difficulties on book release day.  A two-week shipping setback crushed my spirit as Amazon sent emails to my loved ones letting them know the books would not arrive on time.

For a book launch, rating and reviewing the book on the day it releases is so important. Sadly, all of that came to a screeching halt. I still do not understand why, but that morning, I had to surrender it.

I remember pouring out my heart in a blog post called Trusting God When You Don’t Understand the Plan I recommend reading it if you are struggling at all in understanding God’s timing. Here is a link to another blog post called Learning Patience When Plans Change when the Amazon link to preorder was delayed too.

I truly think God will be teaching me about waiting well and patience until the day I meet him face to face!

Writing a book to me was more than just birthing a baby! It was a partnership with God as He dropped words and ideas into my head. Each morning I sat down at my computer, I felt the Holy Spirit speaking through me. I remember many times going back and reading what I wrote and thinking, I am not capable of this.

My part is faithful, God’s part is fruitful!

This favorite quote of mine rang true during this entire process. From the first time the idea was dropped into my head to the writing and editing of the book to finally publishing and releasing into the world. (To read more about the entire 5 year process, check out this special post I wrote the day I signed my book contract)

Friend, don’t underestimate what God can do when you partner with Him!

This reminds me of the words I wrote in the acknowledgements section in my book. I would love to share what I said about my Heavenly Father!

God, I never could have made this dream a reality without You guiding me. This whole process has taught me the importance of depending on You for all my needs and inspiration. The words, “In Awe Of God”, frequently left my lips as I saw Your hand directing me and presiding over the words chosen in this book.

The Depth Book is one year old today, so thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and support!

I believe God-sized dreams cannot be accomplished on our own. We need strength and wisdom from the Holy Spirit as well as love and support from family and friends to make it happen.

As I ponder all that God has done over the last year, just know you will be in my thoughts! Your encouraging emails and phone calls as well as your support by purchasing and reading my book means the world to me! I cannot say thank you enough!

Love, Jodi

This week in honor of Depth’s first birthday, I would love to ask you a favor! Would you be willing to post a picture of you and the book on social media and tag me on Instagram and Facebook. Also, if you read the book, would you be willing to leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. It would be a beautiful gift to me on this special one-year mark! Thanks again!!