Do you Ever Want To Escape?

Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey released last week on the nineteenth anniversary of my only sister's kidnapping. Heidi remains missing today. The first decade following her disappearance I hid from the world, and even from my family at times. It isn't healthy to hide or escape when life gets hard.

Pastor's new message series opened with the verses of James, we are challenged to rejoice in our suffering. Nineteen years ago, this would have made no sense to be and quite possibly it might have driven me farther from the Lord if someone told me, "Sorry your sister is missing but rejoice in this trial, God has something better coming." BUT thankfully, today, I can see the beauty in the midst of our tragedy.

The first draft of Where's Heidi? was written in 2006. Six and a half years later, it is now available on Amazon.com, at the River's End Bookstore (Oswego, NY), at book signings, and when I speak. 

At the start of this book writing journey and even in the final months leading up to the release I had moments of "Run, don't do it. You will be ridiculed. People don't care. You're not special, so who would read your book?" and other negative thoughts. I had choices to make. 

Do I believe the lies uttered and shouted at me by satan or do I lean harder on God? I had a choice - God gave us free will. 

Just like nineteen years ago, I ran to hide when the lies and attacks came at me BUT this time, I ran into the arms of Jesus as I read my Bible for verses to counter each lie tossed at me. I searched for verses to remind me of the hope only found in Jesus. I hid between the covers at night with my audio Bible lulling me to sleep. I choose to serve, share, write, and speak in obedience to God.

I hope you will join me and stop running away and escaping to the dark and often lonely places where no one can find us. Instead, run to the Light and give it all to Him. God loves you! God cares about you! God is waiting to hold you while you cry! God wants to me your Saving Grace? 

Because I am human, I still try to escape when life gets difficult yet instead of locking myself in my room behind closed blinds - I open the blinds, sit on the deck, and absorb all the Son has to offer through prayer, reading my Bible, getting together with other believers, and celebrating each moment God blesses me with.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1:2-6

What drives you to your quiet place of escape?
 
Who do you escape to first - God or your best friend?

Do you have a favorite spot that helps you relax, clear your thoughts, refocus, and maintain a calm sense of living?

Escape for quiet time with Jesus, you'll never be the same!