Yesterday, I bumped into someone who read Letters to My Friends in Pain. Just before Christmas, I gave away copies of the book along with Christmas cookies at a few places where I write my sermons. Most were shocked to find out that the sandals wearing guy in the corner booth would write anything at all.
She said, “I’m almost done with the book. Thank you. It has helped a lot.” She added, “It also helped me with some of the God stuff. I haven’t really believed in God but it helped me understand better.” One more: “Oh, and my two adult daughters are reading it too.”
Let me come full circle.
Every author dreams of readers buying and reading their book. Nobody writes a book just to have it sit on their own shelf. That said, I know that most indie authors sell only a few hundred books. I had no visions of being featured on Oprah’s book club or seeing large ads for the book on the screens in Times Square.
After I began writing and was confident that I would finish the project, I sat down to tell my family that I was going to publish a book. They asked, “Why do you want to publish the book?” My answer revolved around helping people in pain. Helping people find strength to take one more step forward. Helping people connect with God as they go through their pain and gain a better understanding of where God is when they suffer. I wanted to give people of faith and people who do not have faith something to think deeply about as they contemplate pain, suffering, grief, and God. I’m convinced that we don’t have a very good theology of suffering. And one of humanity’s greatest God-questions is “Where is God in a world of suffering?” I just wanted to help people.
Mission accomplished.
Maybe you know someone in pain that needs a better perspective. I know of at least a couple of small groups in two other states that will study Letters to My Friends in Pain to begin the year. Maybe your small grow wants to grow stronger together.
One more thing about why I wrote the book. I want you to help people too. The book is a tool that you can use to empathize with and encourage others who are suffering. It matters that we show up for each other. Community is powerful. Together, we can walk five mindset shifts that make all the difference between pity and perseverance.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention. Letters to My Friends in Pain was published one year ago this week. In honor of that anniversary, the book is still on sale for under $15 on Amazon: https://a.co/d/6JIjmEa