Hello, friends! I hope it’s raining where you are! (If you’re in the southeastern US, you’ll understand that’s meant as a compliment.) This month’s newsletter is primarily about miracles—first, the miracles that are you and me, and then the miracle that’s a PET scan result delivered to the Bean family yesterday morning. This newsletter is also a foreshadowing of fast-approaching book fun. Read it all—and enjoy!
Everyone, a Miracle
Recently, I told my mom she needs a shirt with the word “MIRACLE’ emblazoned on it. After all, in less than nine months she’s survived two brain bleeds and a fight with stage four cancer.
But, really, if you think about it, we’re all miracles.
All the battles we’ve fought, all the blows we’ve taken, all the fires we’ve walked through, all the pillows we’ve drenched with tears … yet here we are—laughing, loving, getting ready in the mornings, grumbling at mundane inconveniences, pausing to admire sunsets. After all the things that should have taken us out, we’re still breathing, even hoping, hopefully growing.
And all the sin that should have consumed our souls long ago—if we’re in Christ and walking by faith, the Holy Spirit is washing it away. We’re becoming more like Christ every day.
All this leads to a stunningly wonderful conclusion: the Lord indeed desires our good (Romans 8:28). Not our comfort or pleasure, but the survival and flourishing of what’s best in us.
Today, take a moment to reflect on the miraculousness of your life. Thank God for all the love and care He’s shown you.
And if you haven’t yet embraced the greatest miracle of all—the miracle of a relationship with God through Christ—I invite you to do so. God designed us for a close, loving relationship with Him. Our sin wrecks that relationship, but in His love for us, God offers redemption through Jesus. Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins, was buried, and rose to life on the third day afterward to defeat death. As a result, anyone who repents of their sins and puts their faith in Jesus can enjoy an intimate relationship with God, now and forever.
If you want that wonderful gift, confess your sins to God and repent of them. Believe what Jesus did for you through His death and resurrection, and ask Him to be the Lord of your life and Savior of your soul.
He is the great Miracle Worker. And you and I are His greatest works.
A Special Update on my Mom
On Monday, April 27, Mom had her first PET scan since January. We got the results Tuesday: besides a spot in her lung where the tissue is thick, there were no signs of active malignancy.
We’ve been told before that a clean PET scan doesn’t mean there are zero cancer cells lurking in the body. With stage four cancer, the focus has to be on management, not cure. But we’re praising God for His greatness and compassion. He’s done a very real, very good thing for us. And it’s enough.
Please say a prayer for Mom as she recovers from all her body has been through these past eight months, and as she finds the right management plan moving forward.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support on this journey. They mean so much to me and my family.
May God bless each of you.
Behind the Screen
Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on the book format survey! I’m gathering information about logistics and will keep y’all posted.
Thursday, May 28 marks the long-awaited Selah Award ceremony at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. In addition to the excitement of the actual ceremony, I’m thrilled at the opportunity to meet my publisher in person, plus fellow Redemption Press authors and other members of the Christian writing community. Watch my social media and next month’s newsletter for updates and pictures!
With Just Megan turning one in June, also watch for information about upcoming book birthday fun—including how you can join the celebration!
ICYMI: Podcast Alert!
It’s been over a month since my interview with the wonderful Shelly Brown of Redemption Press, released on the At This Table podcast. If you haven’t had a chance to listen—or if you’d like to enjoy it again—follow the link below! Be sure to share it with a friend who needs encouragement.
For those who prefer iTunes, listen here.
Just Megan’s 90 Days to 90 Reviews Challenge
As of this newsletter’s release, we’re forty-one days into the “90 Days to 90 Reviews Challenge,” and up to twenty-four Amazon ratings!
Thank you to everyone who’s posted a review! If you haven’t yet, but you’ve read and enjoyed the book, please consider joining the challenge by leaving Just Megan a review on Amazon. You don’t have to have bought your copy from Amazon in order to do this. And don’t worry about coming up with something long or formal—your honest, heartfelt opinion is what counts.
I’d love for Just Megan to have 100 reviews for its first birthday on June 17. But more importantly, I’d love for more readers who need this message to discover it.
Let’s help others find grace and resilience in the face of the unknown.
Jesus loves you. Embrace His love and live it out.
BeanSpired Editions 