Staying the course - Jo-Anne Berthelsen

I almost gave up on my latest book, Becoming Me. I began exploring the idea behind it in 2013, then wrote most of my original version during 2014. I sensed God was in the project and sent it off to my potential publisher in January 2015. Yet one key, nagging question remained. Should it really be published? It is a very personal book, after all—it contains many honest reflections on my own journey of discovering who God created me to be and of removing the layers covering my true self. Besides, I had already written six published novels and a memoir, Soul Friend. Should I call it a day?

I was also very tired, so decided to give myself a semi-sabbatical during 2015. At times, I tried to polish up Becoming Me, while waiting to hear from the publisher, but those nagging doubts remained. Had I heard God wrongly? Did I have the energy to see this project through?

Then, in January this year, my publisher suggested I remove the reflection questions from the end of each chapter, which necessitated other changes as well. I resubmitted, but to no avail. My book was simply not the type of non-fiction my publisher now produced—and I respected that.

So what to do? Should I consider self-publishing? For various reasons, I had always resisted this idea. Then, one Sunday morning in early May, three things happened in quick succession.

The first was a simple, mundane event—I picked up a nail file on my desk and, for the first time in months, noticed the image of a Russian babushka doll, so intrinsic to my story, on the end of it. A friend had given it to me, after she heard about the concept behind Becoming Me, as an encouragement and a reminder to complete the book.

We headed to church, where a young minister preached on knowing our identity in Christ. To my astonishment, he proceeded to elaborate on many key themes contained in my book. I sat bolt upright—it was as if an electric current was flowing through me. ‘All these themes are still so important’, I sensed God saying. ‘Put your book out there!’

I came home and discovered an email from a dear friend. She had felt prompted to share John 1:12 from ‘The Message’ with me. It read: 

Whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, HE MADE TO BE THEIR TRUE SELVES, their child-of-God selves ... 

She had capitalised the words ‘He made to be their true selves’—without knowing this was the main theme of my new book!

That week, I began to set in motion the whole self-publishing process, asking others to design the cover and complete the layout for me. And now, on 1^st October, Becoming Me: Finding my true self in God will be released at last! Please check out my website for the special deal available until that date.

I am sharing this publication journey to encourage you all to stay the course and do your best to carry through with whatever project God has challenged you to undertake in your own life. Yes, sometimes we might have to put things aside. But maybe, just maybe, God wants us to persevere. God is so faithful—so it is up to us to be faithful too, don’t you think? 

Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne is passionate about touching hearts and lives through both the written and spoken word. She is the author of six published novels and one non-fiction work, Soul Friend: the story of a shared spiritual journey. Jo-Anne is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and four grandchildren. For more information, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.  

Identity Crisis!

By Andrea Grigg

Twenty years ago this month, I ventured back into the world of primary school teaching. I’d been a stay-at-home mum, and had enjoyed three terms of ‘freedom’ once our third and youngest child had started school. Now, I was ready to dip my toes back into the Sea of Education, and see if I still had what it took.

What with moving countries, working in the clerical department at David Jones in Sydney, getting married and moving to the Gold Coast as well as having three children, it had been a long time since I’d been in a classroom, and I missed it. Missed the kids and the satisfaction of seeing them achieve and grow, missed the camaraderie with my colleagues, missed being part of a vibrant school community.

I filled out the paper work, started relief teaching at the same school my children attended, and loved it! I was back! Eventually, I was given a three-week contract, which ended up being extended for the rest of the year, and was then offered permanency.

I’ll never forget pinning on my identification badge. I wasn’t just Andrea Grigg anymore, I was Andrea Grigg, Teacher.

Of course, over the years I’ve belonged to many other groups too, some formal, some informal. I was a Christian, a wife, a parent, a musician, a singer, a worship leader, a soccer mum, a life group member … lots of things. Most of all though, I was proud to be able to answer the question, ‘And what do you do?’  with, ‘I’m a teacher.’

Unfortunately, I burned out. In 2010, I went from full-time, to part-time, which actually made things worse. Three years later, I had to give in my badge.

But you know what? It wasn’t hard, not hard at all. I had a new identity. I was a writer!

I finished teaching in 2012, the same year my first book, A Simple Mistake, was published. I used the next year to get well, then finished my second book, Too Pretty, which was published in 2014. And then it all went to custard. I had writers’ block.

 Best thing that could have happened to me.

You know that song, ‘Heart of Worship’? It’s always been a favourite, and even more so now. It talks about the music fading and everything being stripped away. That was me. I wasn’t a teacher anymore, and I certainly couldn’t call myself a writer because I wasn’t writing! All the ideas I’d had flying around in my head vanished the moment I sat down at my laptop.

So who was I?

You know, the frustration of writers’ block got so bad, I didn’t care if I never wrote another thing. The thought lasted only a few days, but it was essential I went through the process. Because it was during those few days that something was engraved on my heart.

A couple of years earlier, I’d read a statement somewhere while waiting in a doctor’s surgery, and I’ve used it shamelessly ever since:

We’re not human doings, we’re human beings.

At first, it was simply a reminder to stop rushing around like a mad thing. Now, it has added meaning because of Acts 17:28: ‘In Him we live, and move, and have our being.’

Who gives me purpose? God. Who do I belong to? God. Who made me? God. Who am I? God’s child.

I am a daughter of the King. He has saved me, and filled me, and given me everything I need. He holds me in the palm of His hand. My beloved is mine and I am His.

If I never sing another note, never write another word, it doesn’t matter. Those things don’t define me. They’re not the essence of who I am. God is.

I am Andrea Grigg, daughter of the living King.

Maybe I should order the badge :) 

Andrea Grigg lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and is a writer of two contemporary Christian romance novels, ‘A Simple Mistake’ and ‘Too Pretty’. Her Christmas novella, 'All is Bright', will be released September 27 in a boxset along with five other authors, entitled, 'An Aussie Summer Christmas'.  She would love to connect with you via: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.andreagrigg?ref=hl

Twitter: @andreagrigg https://twitter.com/andreagrigg

Email:    andreagrigg@live.com