Tuesday, May 8, 2018

The Best Laid Plans by Merrillee Whren

When I signed up for this date several months ago, I was sure I would have the fifth book in my Front Porch Promises series, A Baby to Call Ours, finished and for sale. I don't even have it ready for presale. Three reasons. First, I found out in February that my computer hard drive was failing, and I had to have it replaced. Thankfully, I do have everything backed up in the cloud, but even with that, it takes a week to get the new hard drive installed. Then it takes another week or more to reload the software and all the files on the new hard drive. Secondly, we had unexpected grandparents' duty. We watched our grandchildren for a week, and that included two cross-country flights from Arizona to New Jersey and back. That meant three weeks of my writing time disrupted. Finally, I have no cover for the book. Here are the covers of the current books in the series.



As you can see all the covers have front porches. I want a cover with a front porch with a baby crib or carriage on it. I have been unable to find a photo that works. The first, second, and fourth books have covers made from stock photos. The third book is a photo I took of my friend's front porch with the three chairs on it. The child's chair was borrowed from one of her friends. I would take another photo myself, but I don't have a crib or cradle or a front porch. While the book is being edited, I'll keep looking for that perfect photo to use for the cover. 

All of this reminds me of the verse in Proverbs. "The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps." Proverbs 16:9 (NRSV) I am trusting that this book will come out at just the right time. Not my plan, but God's. 

Have you ever made plans and found that God had something else in mind for you?

PS  If you come across a photo with a front porch and a crib or cradle on it, please send me a message. You can contact me through my website. Click here to find the contact page. 

Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of America. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.

             

12 comments:

  1. All the time! God's plans always end up far better than my plans. Best wishes on your crib/cradle hunt, Merrilee. The other covers in your series are adorable.

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    1. Thanks, Christine. Maybe I'll find the perfect porch somewhere and take my own photo again.

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  2. Computer problems seem to crop up at the very worst times--though I'm not sure there's EVER a good time! And family should always be a top priority. We do what we must when it comes to helping out our children and grandchildren. I speak from experience, as last year our daughter's family of 6 moved in with us for 8 months! I think we all went a little crazy!

    Lovely covers, Merrillee! Hope you find the perfect crib photo!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Myra. Wow! That's a lot of extra people in your household. I can see why there was some craziness.

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  3. Merrillee, I love your covers. So inviting!

    A few years back, I started working in "God's perfect time." What's that mean? I realized he always provided the hours I needed to get various tasks done...yet I always worried. Finally, I gave it all to him and now know that, if I'm in His time, the projects will get done. Yes, I work hard, very hard, but he provides...and often empties my schedule of less important obligations so I can devote all my energy to the BIG project.

    His time is perfect. You will find that cover photo when you need it! Congrats on your continued success!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Debby. It is so true that God provides a way.

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  4. I can't seem to get it through my thick head. It's something I've been learning and relearning, along with the characters in my books.

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  5. Boy, can I identify with this! My dad used to say that I would work and struggle until God literally slapped me down. I'm afraid he was correct. The older I get, the more I try to slow down, but when family calls...

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    Replies
    1. God can certainly get our attention. Then we need to listen.

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  6. I think that I have plans and GOD says no you do not. I am in the place now with work but I can see God's hand. I try to listen faster now when I was younger I wanted to follow the plan.

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  7. Great verse to cling to. I love the covers and will keep my alert for a photo.

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