BE A GIDEON

BE A GIDEON
Friday, June 6, 2025 by MAUREEN MILLER

Categories: Friday's Fiction / GUEST AUTHORS / Reviews and Interviews

PLEASE WELCOME

MAUREEN MILLER

FICTION FRIDAY

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

He was timid and weak. Afraid and insecure.

That’s right. Listen to his doubt when the Angel of the Lord called him to defeat the enemy. O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house (Judges 6:15 NKJV).

To say Gideon was lowest on the figurative totem pole is an understatement. Yet, what mattered most, even with all his shortcomings? He was obedient. And God didn’t hold it against him when Gideon asked for a sign—an “If… then” confirmation that he could count on God to come through (v. 17-18).

Guess what. He did.

I’ve had a similar conversation. “If this is from You, Lord, please show me. Only then will I move ahead. I need to know it’s Your idea first.”

Just a bit of backstory (because remember—too much slows good fiction down). My recently released timeslip novel, Gideon’s Book, began with what I call a holy whisper. It was 2007 (That long ago? Yes, but that’s another story!). I heard God say, “Write about a Gideon Bible by a bed.”

A Bible by the bed?

But that’s what He’d whispered. At that point in my writing life, I was telling mostly nonfiction stories—submitting to Christian publications and newspapers. But I sensed God moving me into unfamiliar territory. Yes, the uncharted waters of fiction.

That was scary, and I felt insecure. I doubted I could do it, questioning God’s nudge. I mean, creating fiction requires… well, creativity—the kind I lacked, or so I thought. But I’d been walking with God long enough to know. If He called, He’d equip. Still, I asked Him for a sign.

Not long after this initial whisper, I was scheduled to speak at a Christian Women’s Club event in Eden, NC. I’d served as a regional speaker for Stonecroft Ministries for some time, but this particular engagement was to be my last. With two little boys at home, with the addition of a daughter, my husband and I were hoping to adopt, I needed to lighten my workload. I explained to the women that I was stepping down from speaking to focus on my family, though I did not share with the group what I sensed God calling me to do.

As I gathered my things, an elderly woman approached. She smiled as she took my hand. “I just wanted to wish you well and thank you for obeying God’s call. There’s nothing better than obedience, even when we don’t understand or see what’s next.”

She paused, then pressed something into my open palm.

“Here, dear. I want you to have this. My husband is with Gideons International, and it’s always my joy to share God’s Word with those to whom He leads me.”

There in my hand was a small, blue pocket New Testament. My gaze met hers. “You have no idea all this Gideon Bible means.”

And she didn’t. But Jocelyn Gordon didn’t need to. She’d simply heard God’s voice, and with that small act of obedience, confirmed God’s plan.

How about you, mighty writer? Have you heard His whisper, “Write this? Pen that?” And have you, like Gideon, asked for a sign?

You may doubt, feeling less than, insecure, or afraid, but I promise—your words are weapons in this broken, beat-down world where an enemy lurks.

No matter what God calls you to write—no matter how long it takes—with His help, you, too, can be a Gideon.”

MORE ABOUT GIDEON’S BOOK

Gideon’s Book is a timeslip taking readers from 2016 to the slower pace of 1969. A love story laced with

mystery, it’s about a Gideon Bible discovered in a Myrtle Beach hotel room, and its major themes are racism, abortion, and adoption. It’s my hope this story will encourage healthy conversation concerning these sensitive issues of our day, inviting readers to “pull up a chair” and, well… share. Gideon’s Book is available on Amazon and wherever fine books are sold.

BUY LINK

MORE ABOUT MAUREEN MILLER

Maureen Miller is an award-winning author with stories in more than twenty collaboratives. She contributes to Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures, her local newspaper, and several online devotion sites. Married for thirty-five years to her childhood sweetheart Bill, she enjoys life with their three born-in-their-hearts children and three grand-girls, not to mention a variety of furry beasts. They live on Selah Farm, a hobby homestead nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. She blogs at “Windows and Wallflowers” (Maureenmillerauthor.com), telling of God’s extraordinary character discovered in the ordinary things of life, and her debut novel, Gideon’s Book, is now available.

MY REVIEW *****

I can’t wait for the movie!

Maureen Miller’s book is a true reading treasure. It excels in all the aspects of a great fiction work: interesting characters, good dialogue, an intriguing plot, and a great message. These characters' lives intertwine in unexpected ways. This timeslip novel demonstrates that God is the same yesterday and today and always. My website bears the thought I use in all my novels: God turns our worst past into our best future. I’m so pleased that this work of fiction exemplifies this truth. The main characters all learn this truth too. I didn’t want to put the book down. As the present-day heroine, Cassie, struggles with cancer, she finds purpose in writing the love story of her friend’s parents. In doing so, she finds more than a story. But reader, you need to discover that for yourself.

I recommend this book.

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