You Can’t Do It Alone: A Writer Needs God and Other Believers

Jesus called me in a church in Jerusalem, where I was not supposed to be. Experiencing both His power and His love made me realize I couldn’t do life all by myself.

This is where my testimony memoir, She Does Not Fear the Snow, begins.

As a practicing Jew, I wasn’t supposed in be in a church. I was only there because my travelling companion on this Israel vacation was a Christian. She had graciously welcomed in the Sabbath with me at a synagogue. How could I refuse to attend her worship?

That Sunday evening service changed my life.

My faith journey echoed that of biblical Ruth, which is my Hebrew name. Like her, I discovered that I needed to trust in God for my future after everything in life went wrong. In my case, cancer was followed by a broken marriage. Jesus picked me up, dusted me off and, in time, blessed me with a strong man of faith, a Boaz, to be my husband.

It is very special to worship, share the Word and pray together as a couple. It is priceless to be facing in the same direction as the man I am yoked to when things get tough.

Married or single, you can’t be a Christian alone. Leastways, you miss out on a lot if you try it.

The Book of Acts makes it clear that Christianity needs community. Since my marriage, four years ago, I’ve enjoyed fellowship at churches and home groups on three continents. We’ve experienced the same spiritual uplifting and mutual support in congregations in Canada, Israel and England.

So I’m thinking the same applies worldwide, which gives my heart a surge of delight.

Now that my memoir is nearing publication, I find I can’t do this alone either, despite template technology, my own writing background and a certificate in graphic design.

I enjoy the support of a Platform Building Facebook community that is composed mainly of Christian writers. On this page, any question posed gets ready advice, suggestions and answers. I learn a lot from the responses to questions that I wouldn’t even think to ask. All this is free.

Not so the close manuscript edit from an editor who really knows about (Christian) publishing. I found Beth Jusino at the Editorial Department through a guest post recommendation on Jeff Goins Writer’s blog. She has saved me from the confusing first book I might have published and I will be a better writer going forward.

If the edit was the best money I’ve ever spent, the cover design comes a close second. I was tempted to do this myself. I’m so glad I didn’t. Sadly, the talented designer I chose — another Jeff Goins recommendation — is quitting designing, so I can’t give you her name.

I’m feeling like I’m part of a team, a member of the Christian publishing world. It’s so good to know I just can’t do it alone.

Question: Do you ever feel like you can’t do it alone? Other than God (or the Bible), where do you find strength and encouragement from?

* Image credit: The U. S. Army (Creative Commons)