Growing up as the child of an alcoholic father who abused my mother and neglected us kids, taught me how to be a really strong protector, a really good nurturer, and a provider. I was well prepared to be a parent long before that event ever occurred.
There are two sides to every coin though. My childhood gave me the above strengths, but I discovered that most often my strengths actually hinder what God wants to do in the lives of the people I love.
The downside of my strength is: I had a hard time relating to a loving heavenly Father for all of my needs, and the nurturing aspect to my personality can lean in a mild degree towards a “savior type” compulsion. I was often guilty of trying to ‘fix’ the circumstances in my children’s lives so that they wouldn’t suffer.
Have you ever stopped in the middle of helping your kids or a friend out of a jam, and thought, “maybe it would be better if they took their lumps and let God teach them something from their situation?”
It wasn’t easy but I had to come to the point of surrendering my kids totally to God, meaning I had to assume a “Hands Off” attitude. I’ve learned that it’s safer to pray that God make the choices for the people I love, even if that means discipline, even if that means hardship.
That might mean not being there for a hand-out when one of my adult kids needs money.
That might mean keeping my mouth closed when it comes to advice and just listening and praying for them instead.
That might mean standing back as they hurt in hospital after a suicide attempt, and telling them to trust God and no one else, and crying buckets of tears with them.
Surrender your loved ones to God, and stop trying to save them yourself.
Sofi’s Bridge by Christine Lindsay.
This is the theme of Sofi’s Bridge, my latest historical romance, releasing this April 16 for digital, and May 1 for paperback at can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Books.com and Pelican Book Group.
To read the first chapter of Sofi’s Bridge, click HERE.
ABOUT CHRISTINE LINDSAY
Christine Lindsay is the author of multi-award-winning Christian fiction. Tales of her Irish ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in Colonial India inspired her multi-award-winning series Twilight of the British Raj, Book 1 Shadowed in Silk, Book 2 Captured by Moonlight, and the explosive finale Veiled at Midnight.
Christine’s Irish wit and her use of setting as a character is evident in her contemporary romance Londonderry Dreaming. Her newest release Sofi’s Bridge also features a dashing Irish hero.
Aside from being a busy writer and speaker, Christine and her husband live on the west coast of Canada. Coming August 2016 is the release of Christine’s non-fiction book Finding Sarah—Finding Me: A Birthmother’s Story.
I love to chat. Food. Current Events. Sports. What Jimmy Fallon did last night on The Tonight Show. What God’s showing me. But sometimes I have to bring up discussion that’s more business related. I struggled with that for a long time but realized if I don’t talk about my writing and where to find…
Mystery and intrigue abound as Emily and Matthew are trapped inside an unfinished escape room in the basement of Whit’s End. Meanwhile, the Odyssey High School Football team heads toward the state championship and deals with unexpected challenges. Join your favorite Odyssey characters on a special journey of imagination, excitement, and discovery in More than…
Book Description: Behind him, beside him, before him, the synchronized cathedral bells began to ring out. One, two, three . . . Then she said it first. The words his heart burst to share. “I love you, Stephen. You are my true prince.” An American heiress and a crown prince seem destined to be together….
Each week I put a video in the right sidebar of my website (new and improved, by the way) and use it to promote book trailers. This week is Charisse by Fay Lamb. Book Description: Charisse Wellman’s husband has been gone a year, and she’s about to lose the only home her son, V.J., has…
You’ve been asking when the sequel to The Love Boat Bachelor is coming out. Well, I have some answers. First, let’s admire the pretty cover. Because I’ve read all the chapters but the ending (because YOU get to vote for the hero you want to see in the end) I think it’s a perfect cover….
Her Amazon bio reads: Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams,…
I love to chat. Food. Current Events. Sports. What Jimmy Fallon did last night on The Tonight Show. What God’s showing me. But sometimes I have to bring up discussion that’s more business related. I struggled with that for a long time but realized if I don’t talk about my writing and where to find…
Mystery and intrigue abound as Emily and Matthew are trapped inside an unfinished escape room in the basement of Whit’s End. Meanwhile, the Odyssey High School Football team heads toward the state championship and deals with unexpected challenges. Join your favorite Odyssey characters on a special journey of imagination, excitement, and discovery in More than…
Book Description: Behind him, beside him, before him, the synchronized cathedral bells began to ring out. One, two, three . . . Then she said it first. The words his heart burst to share. “I love you, Stephen. You are my true prince.” An American heiress and a crown prince seem destined to be together….
Each week I put a video in the right sidebar of my website (new and improved, by the way) and use it to promote book trailers. This week is Charisse by Fay Lamb. Book Description: Charisse Wellman’s husband has been gone a year, and she’s about to lose the only home her son, V.J., has…
You’ve been asking when the sequel to The Love Boat Bachelor is coming out. Well, I have some answers. First, let’s admire the pretty cover. Because I’ve read all the chapters but the ending (because YOU get to vote for the hero you want to see in the end) I think it’s a perfect cover….
Her Amazon bio reads: Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams,…
I love to chat. Food. Current Events. Sports. What Jimmy Fallon did last night on The Tonight Show. What God’s showing me. But sometimes I have to bring up discussion that’s more business related. I struggled with that for a long time but realized if I don’t talk about my writing and where to find…
Mystery and intrigue abound as Emily and Matthew are trapped inside an unfinished escape room in the basement of Whit’s End. Meanwhile, the Odyssey High School Football team heads toward the state championship and deals with unexpected challenges. Join your favorite Odyssey characters on a special journey of imagination, excitement, and discovery in More than…
Book Description: Behind him, beside him, before him, the synchronized cathedral bells began to ring out. One, two, three . . . Then she said it first. The words his heart burst to share. “I love you, Stephen. You are my true prince.” An American heiress and a crown prince seem destined to be together….
Each week I put a video in the right sidebar of my website (new and improved, by the way) and use it to promote book trailers. This week is Charisse by Fay Lamb. Book Description: Charisse Wellman’s husband has been gone a year, and she’s about to lose the only home her son, V.J., has…
You’ve been asking when the sequel to The Love Boat Bachelor is coming out. Well, I have some answers. First, let’s admire the pretty cover. Because I’ve read all the chapters but the ending (because YOU get to vote for the hero you want to see in the end) I think it’s a perfect cover….
Her Amazon bio reads: Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams,…
Thank you for sharing this, Christine. It’s not easy to step back and allow God to work in our kids’ lives, but I’m learning (finally!) that it’s best for all concerned.
Thank you, Julie, for featuring Christine and her story.
Blessings to you both.
Christine Lindsay is the author of multi-award-winning Christian fiction. Tales of her Irish ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in Colonial India inspired her multi-award-winning series Twilight of the British Raj, Book 1 Shadowed in Silk, Book 2 Captured by Moonlight, and the explosive finale Veiled at Midnight.
Thank you for sharing this, Christine. It’s not easy to step back and allow God to work in our kids’ lives, but I’m learning (finally!) that it’s best for all concerned.
Thank you, Julie, for featuring Christine and her story.
Blessings to you both.