Snark & Sensibility

PLEASE WELCOME

JOAN C. BENSON

TO

ANYTHING GOES

It was a blustery cold morning, and as usual, I was walking my dog. It was what we always did after his breakfast. Why, I wondered, did he always seem to stop to investigate a good scent when we were walking in the shade? It felt at least ten degrees colder than when we were in the sunlight! The wind chill didn't seem to bother my furry friend, but it was biting through my parka in a most piercing way.

Since our home sits on the shady side of the street, I decided on a course correction. A new routine. Going forward, I took command of my "mostly" obedient German Shepherd and crossed the street as soon as we exited our cozy home. I made a deliberate choice to walk in the bright sunshine and relative warmth. After a few days of this new plan, I started to sing, like a young child, making up my own tune: "Walk, walk, walk to the sunny, sunny, sunny side...." The more I repeated this little ditty, the more clearly the Lord spoke to my spirit.

The parallel seemed clear. "God is the light ..." we are told in Psalms 27:1. When we make the decision to walk in his light, spiritually speaking, he does make a difference, no matter what pain or discomfort we encounter. The scripture confirms this cause and effect. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you," James 4:8 (ESV). Note how we are to make that decision first.

When you face the raw chill of physical, emotional, or spiritual pain, what do you do? Perhaps you experience the normal emotions of human grief. You want to deny what has happened, at least in the beginning. It feels so impossible. Once reality shakes out the truth, you may feel the grip of anger and sadness. Whenever you feel like you're a victim and all is lost, choose to run into God's light. It's our choice to remain in the misery of the season of despair or to take steps to draw nearer to God. There, we are assured, He will draw near to us.

Psalm 91:4 provides us with a beautiful word picture: "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge," (NIV). In his refuge, you can find healing. Run toward his light and be warmed. It is there where we will be overcomers.

ABOUT JOAN C. BENSON

Joan C Benson is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author/speaker. She has been writing professionally for over thirty years, in addition to her career as an educator, serving primarily as a reading specialist. Her debut historical fiction novel was released in 2020. She has been published in multiple Christian magazines including LifeWay’s “ParentLife,” and Regent University’s “The Christian Leader.” She has published devotional writings on CBN.com. Joan also wrote the children’s ministry curriculum for LifeWay Publishing.

website: https://www.joancbenson.com/

Blog: www.bensonjj.blog (WordPress, but also found on the website)

Author FB: https://www.facebook.com/YIHAVEHOPE

Twitter: https://twitter.com/11Ccaj4life

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20555254.Joan_C_Benson

ABOUT HIS GIFT

Brace yourself for a thrilling race through the twists and turns of a young woman determined to see her dream come true.

On the cusp of the stock market crash of 1929, seventeen-year-old Molly has aspirations for a career in music after high school. With the passion of an athlete preparing for the Olympics, she trains relentlessly to become the best she can be.

As her world collapses in unimaginable ways, she is left to find peace and purpose in the midst of her crisis. The message of His Gift is universal to anyone who has ever dared to dream in spite of uncontrollable circumstances. The reader will discover with Molly, the hope and peace in a life when yielded to the Giver of all gifts.

 Buy links: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1649490305/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-gift-joan-c-benson/1137413827?ean=9781649490308