This post is a bit different...Lee and I are doing a blog exchange today...hope you enjoy learning about her book. And I'm going to give away an e-copy of her book in gratitude for her sharing my work (and organizing the Scavenger Hunt I participated in a few weeks ago). So, comment away and win a book (I'll wait until Sunday, January 7 before I draw a name).
A Change of Heart by Diana Leagh Matthews
“Hurt people hurt people.” The old adage is so true.
Years ago, I shared my thoughts on a movie adaptation of my favorite book, but instead of thinking about what I said, I spoke unfiltered and with venom, damaging the friendship. My anger wasn’t toward anyone in particular but part of the hurt I carried inside, having recently left an abusive relationship.
When I wrote “Carol of the Rooms,” I had to dig deep to determine what hurt my main character so much. She reminded me a lot of Scrooge and the invisible chains he carried around.
Both Scrooge and my main character change their ways after experiencing an out-of-body experience.
However, there’s only one person whom I know that could heal my heart. Jesus Christ. Healing has not come quickly or easily. It’s been a long process and a gradual stripping away of layers. However, He never gave up on me.
Scripture is full of hurting men and women, whether it was emotional pain or physical pain. In Psalm 6:2-3, King David calls out with "Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love." (NIV)
Whatever hurt you may carry, know that the Lord loves you. He’s there for you. Call upon His name and ask for His help. If there is hope for Scrooge, then there is hope for all of us.
How do you call upon the name of the Lord?
Click here to purchase the “Carol of the Rooms.”
Bio:
Diana Leagh Matthews shares God’s love through her story from rebel to redeemed. Her day job is as a volunteer coordinator, but at night she writes and hunts genealogy. She gives programs as a speaker, teacher, vocalists, and presents historical monologues. Leagh (pronounced Lee) is the author of Carol of the Rooms, History Made Real, 90 Breath Prayers for the Caregiver, and others in the Breath Prayers series. She also writes the history behind hymns at DianaLeaghMatthews.com. While there you can sign up for her monthly newsletter where she shares all her news first.
Connect with Me:
Twitter/X https://twitter.com/dileaghmatthews
Readers, please share below something fun about your Christmas...a fun gift, sweet memory, whatever you'd like!
The cover is is very interesting and intriguing. Author is new to me.
Interesting cover, I always try to not cause hurt.
So hard to monitor our words when we're in the flush of emotion. But once said, they can't be taken back. I'm interested to read your book.
I've seen several posting on Goodreads about this book! It's nice to put a "face" with the author of the book. :) My favorite part of Christmas was seeing my parents so excited to receive a blanket with pictures from Mom's trip to Israel in May. I wanted to get pictures but then thought a blanket may be more useful. Mom said she doesn't want to use it but wants to hang it up. She kept going over and looking at it on Christmas day. The light bulb moment came to me while walking during my lunch break at the end of November. She and dad had sent me pictures from the trip in May, so I didn't have to…