Please welcome my guest author, Melanie Dobson.
Twenty years ago I graduated from college in Virginia, ready to embark on a career in journalism. I began sending out dozens of resumes to newspapers across the country, but instead of landing a job, a stack of rejection letters accumulated in the tiny bedroom I rented from a girlfriend. I sent out another stack of resumes and received the same number of rejections in my mailbox. Fear began to overwhelm me as I read the rejections, and I felt as if I might implode from anxiety.
A friend’s parents owned an old home near Williamsburg, and I escaped there one weekend for a retreat. Just like the character of Lydia Caswell in my latest novel, I sat under the shade of a tree, overlooking the wide James River, and sought wisdom from God. I desperately needed direction, but wasn’t sure which way to turn.
Since I was sitting along the James, I opened my Bible to the book by the same name. This is what I read:
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. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
I stared at the words in awe. I was the one lacking wisdom, the one being blown and tossed by the wind, scattered and unstable as I floundered about in my search for a job. That morning along the river God spoke directly to me and put an incredible peace in my heart. “Trust me,” he seemed to whisper when I asked Him for wisdom. And so I decided to trust.
I returned to my little room in Virginia Beach, but this time I stopped throwing resumes to the wind. First, I really perfected the information I was sending out to people, which included using the resume templates at https://www.cvmaker.uk/ so that my presentation was top-notch, then I began a slow, deliberate, prayerful search for a job and less than a month later, God opened the door for a position in Colorado (where I had always wanted to live), working with an organization I loved. I remained in awe. Looking back, I now see clearly why I had to wait and most of all, why I had to learn to trust Him and His timing.
Last year I had the opportunity to return to the James River to research for The Courier of Caswell Hall. As I visited the old plantation homes with my daughter, God reminded me of His faithfulness over the past two decades. I don’t always understand the way He works, but I’m so grateful that in the midst of chaos and confusion, I can ask Him for the gift of wisdom. And He gives it generously every time, without finding fault.
About Melanie Dobson
MELANIE DOBSON is the award-winning author of twelve historical and contemporary novels including The Silent Order and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana. Born and raised in the Midwest, Melanie has lived all over America, including eight years in Virginia. Now she resides with her husband and two daughters near Portland, Oregon. Read more at MelanieDobson.com.
Melanie would like to know, “Have you ever felt like you were floundering for direction? What did you do before you took your next steps?“
Leave a comment answering her question for a chance to win a copy of her novel, The Courier of Caswell Hall. There is one week to respond, US residents only. An email address must be provided in order to notify the winner.
Congratulations to Nancee, the winner of Carla Stewart’s book, Sweet Dreams.
Many times I have floundered….I usually take a deep breath and pray…sometimes I go for a walk, or call my mom to just refocus & look for ideas.
Would love to win a book. mandn@wisper-wireless.com
Thank you for sharing! I love to walk and pray… It helps calm my mind and refocus too.
Yes and I did the same, take a deep breath, pray, and listen for the answer. If things go smoothly then that means I heard the answer right.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks, Wendy!
Would love to win her book! Am getting low on reading and need some more soon, as I will be having a full shoulder replacement next month. Bgauthier49@live.com
Thank you for your note!
I still feel like that. Sometimes I feel very unsettled,not knowing what I’m supposed to do with my life. At those times I just remember the scripture…..
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
Hi Rita! I love that Scripture you shared. It sounds so simple but it’s sometimes hard to still my racing mind and remember that. Thank you for the beautiful reminder!!
Every day feels like I miss-step so I’ve learned to pause and pray to find the right way. Versus usually pop in my head to help me go on. =) would love to win! truckredford(at)gmail.com
Isn’t that wonderful how God uses Scripture to comfort and give us peace just when we need it? I love it! Thank you for sharing!!
Melanie, your post really touched me and brought tears to my eyes. You have a powerful testimony for the Lord. We need to trust and wait, but most importantly to have Faith that God knows what’s best for each and everyone of us who Love and Serve Him.
Blessings!
Judy B
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh, thank you so much for sharing this, Judy! I really appreciate it. The lesson from this blog was a hard one for me to learn, but one that has given me so much peace for the past twenty years of my life. I’m grateful…
I feel like I am floundering quite often. At those times, sometimes I forget to ask God for His leading. When I finally realize that is what I need to do, things settle down. I may still have the same problems, but I don’t feel as overwhelmed.
susanmsj@msn.com
That’s beautiful, Susan. Thank you for your authenticity. I sometimes forget to ask too until I remember that Jesus invited all of us who are weary to come to Him. So grateful for His peace and help when I feel overwhelmed… Thanks again,
I understand where you are coming from as I know we all experience this at various times in our lives. Sometimes we have to remember to have faith in the Lord and his directions for us, which may not always be clear. We have to hold to that faith and wait for Him to answer our prayers in His time, not ours…that’s the truly hard part, because as humans, we want those answers right away.
Thank you, Sonja! That is so true… I love the reminder of holding onto our faith in Him even when the direction isn’t clear. Blessings,
As always to God’s Word and prayer. The advice of family and friends will be considered. But God’s advice is much truer.
So true! Thank you, Phyllis.
Before I started trusting God to control my life – I floundered about, trying this & that, doing my own thing, making unwise decisions. I, now, God’s directions – in all things, big, or small.
Enjoyed your post, & would love to read your book!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks so much for sharing a bit of your story, Bonnie! Blessings,
Yes, I have and I do flounder around. I can be a little stubborn and head straight for my way without stopping to listen to God. My Mom says I get that from my Dad’s side of the family. Now, I try to pray and fast for the Lord to give me the right direction. Thank you for the opportunity of the giveaway and please enter my name.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
It’s so easy for me to forget to stop and listen! Thank you, Barbara. I love that you pray AND fast when you need direction.
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When I feel like everything is piling on me, I try to stop and pray and ask for the Lord’s guidance and then things seem to fall into place better! a_stonecipher@yahoo.com
I love that! Thank you so much for sharing.
Floundering is an uncomfortable place to be. I want to say that I always seek the Lord in prayer and my husband for counsel but that wouldn’t be true. Once I have beat my stubborn head against the wall, I get down to business. Often times, it is a matter of being still so I can hear what the Lord is saying, ‘turning off’ the outside influences and ‘tuning in’ to Him.
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net
That’s beautiful, Anne! You’re right–floundering is such an uncomfortable place and yet I sometimes forget to ask for help and find myself there again. I’m so thankful for His faithfulness in answering when I finally remember to ask for direction!
It is hard when you don’t know in which direction to go. It is hard to give it all to GOD and not to worry about the things going on in America. Scary. I especially worry because of my kids and my large group of grandchildren and lots of great-grands who might be pilled into all of the chaos of these times. I know HE says to put it all in His hand and not worry, but I’ve always had a hard time not worrying. One of my weak spots.I have given my heart to Him many years ago and trust what He can do, I just feel our morals and evil has gotten so bad and it seems God is being left out of everything. I need to be able to listen better and hear His voice talking to me. I need to be strong for my family but at times don’t feel strong.
I love Melanie’s story today. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
It’s hard not to worry, Maxie. I’ve cut my TV news time down to a minimum and don’t get the paper. A sad state of affairs when I feel better living in ignorance. But that doesn’t stop me from praying!
A big thank you to Melanie Dobson for being my guest this week, and to all of you for your comments! Good luck in the book contest!
Thank you so much for having me, Kate! It was a pleasure to share a bit of my journey and get to know your readers. Blessings,