Why Mary?

Read Luke 1: 26 - 38.

There were several reasons Mary didn't look to be the best choice for the mother of the Messiah. For one thing, she was young. Biblical scholars don't think she was more than sixteen years old. She doesn't seem to have a good support system. Elizabeth, a distant cousin, appears to be her closest relative. Yet, God chose her. Why?

One reason is that Mary had a heart for God. We can see that from her conversation with the Angel Gabriel. Even though she was stunned and confused by the news, when he told her that nothing was impossible with God she answered, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

Mary was surrendered to the Lord. Whatever He asked of her, she would do. She depended on Him. That's what made her fit to be the mother of the Savior of the world. What about you? Are you surrendered to God and willing to be led by the Holy Spirit? Do you depend on Him for everything? If not, you can change that now. This can be the season you let Christ fill your heart and take over your life.

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Trusting God’s Best: How Faith Shapes My Writing Journey

Guest Blogger & Author
Heidi Gray McGill

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight"  (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

 As a Christian author, I share how prayer, faith, and trusting God’s direction led to my debut novel, Desire of My Heart, and how He continues to guide my writing.

The Role of Faith in Writing
As an independently published author, the journey to create a story that fuses faith and fiction is one of trust and growth. God has taught me invaluable lessons along the way, not only in writing but in life. Through prayer, seeking His guidance, and embracing His plan, I’ve learned to let go of my desires and follow His perfect will. Today, I’m excited to share a bit of my heart and how it connects with my debut novel, Desire of My Heart the first book in my Discerning God’s Best series.

A Heart for Christian Historical Fiction

As a Christian author, my passion lies in writing Christian Historical Fiction that reflects faith's challenges and triumphs. I strive to show how God works through our struggles and joys with every character I create. The historical backdrop is more than just a setting; it’s a way for me to explore God’s timeless truths within a specific historical moment. In Desire of My Heart, set against a pre-Civil War community backdrop, the characters wrestle with love, loss, and faith in the same way we do today.

The Birth of Desire of My Heart
Writing Desire of My Heart was a long journey. I didn’t set out to write a novel—it started with a calling, a story that had been quietly forming in my heart. I wanted to create a work of Christian Historical Fiction that entertained and encouraged readers to trust God’s plans, no matter how uncertain life may seem. The book explores themes of healing, redemption, and the beauty of God’s grace. While writing, I reflected on my life, the challenges I’ve faced, and how God has shown up. This book is deeply personal, especially since it marks the beginning of the Discerning God’s Best series. The lessons from my own experiences—trusting in God’s best, discerning His will, and having faith in His timing—are woven into the characters' lives while I fleshed them out in my faith walk. Throughout the writing, God taught me to surrender my timeline and trust Him with the story He had planned. It’s easy to get caught up in our ideas of success, but when we hand our work over to Him, He shapes it into something far greater than we could imagine. One key lesson that resonates through Desire of My Heart is that God’s timing is perfect. While the characters in the novel must wait for God’s provision and healing, I also learned the same lesson in my own life. Patience isn’t always easy, but it’s in the waiting that we learn to rely entirely on God.

Looking Ahead: 

The Discerning God’s Best Series

I’m thrilled to share that Desire of My Heart is the beginning of the Discerning God’s Best series. The next book, With All My Heart, continues the journey of discerning God’s will for our lives. It reminds us that God’s best is always worth waiting for and that He has a purpose for each one of us. Each book in the series features different characters, but the underlying message is always the same: God is in control, and when we trust in His plan, we discover true fulfillment and peace. I hope my story and the journey of Desire of My Heart resonate with you. Whether you’re a reader or a writer, the message is clear: Trust God’s timing, follow His direction, and allow His story to unfold in your life. Writing this book was an act of faith, and I believe it will encourage anyone seeking to discern God’s best for their life.

Also on Audible - 

About the Author 
Heidi Gray McGill writes impactful Christian fiction, blending faith, hope, and love with humor and depth. Despite blindness, she has authored twelve books, including the Discerning God’s Best series. Heidi lives near Charlotte, NC, with her husband of over 30 years. She enjoys family, cooking, games, and finding inspiration daily.

Connect with Heidi Gray McGill (links)

Heidi Gray McGill invites you to stay connected and explore the stories that inspire her heartfelt writing. As a special gift, she’s offering her free prequel, Deep in My Heart, available in both eBook and audiobook formats. This captivating journey from South Carolina to the Midwest sets the stage for Desire of My Heart. Visit https://heidigraymcgill.com/free_book/ to join her mailing list and embark on a path of faith, hope, and inspiration alongside Heidi.

You can also connect with Heidi on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill

https://www.youtube.com/@authorheidigraymcgill/?sub_confirmation=1

https://twitter.com/HeidiGrayMcGill

https://www.instagram.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill/

 

 

 

Innkeepers

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:6-7).

Being in labor and not being able to find a room in the inns must have been an uncertain time for Mary. The first baby always brings more apprehension anyway. But she and Joseph had a strong faith in God. An angel had appeared to them both on separate occasions, and they knew this child was to be special. God would take care of them.

We all go through times of uncertainty and problems. They are a part of life in this fallen world. But like Mary and Joseph, we should trust God and look to Him for all our needs. He will see us through. If we follow His guidance, He will lead us to the place we need to be.

Innkeeper after innkeeper had no room for them. They never considered that this baby about to be born might be the Messiah they had been waiting and longing for. They didn't even have compassion for a young soon-to-be mother. Instead, they informed the couple there was no room.

What would you have done if you were in those innkeepers' places, not having the prior knowledge you have now? Well, we all have to make that decision. We are all innkeepers of our hearts. Will we let Jesus in? Will we let Him stay, or must He leave?

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 Some of My Newer Christmas Books

Many of my 77 books include Christmas somewhere in them, but I have quite a few where Christmas plays an important part, and I would like to share some of them with you for your holiday reading. 

My five books in the Old-Timey Holiday Kitchen, not only give a heart-warming story, but they also share the recipe for the title treat. Books in this series are:

Walnut Cake by Wylene
Sauerkraut Cake by Sophie

Forget-Me-Not Cookies by Fern

Upside-Down Cakes by Dana

Fruitcake by Fran

In A Christmas Snow for Sadie, Sadie Alexander needs to leave the household when her employer dies. Mrs. Ludlow's son is making improper advances, so she travels to California as a mail-order bride. When she gets there, Mr.Laird is out of town with his construction business, and his older friend meets her. What kind of groom will he be if he can't even find time to welcome her?

I also have two books in the Christmas Quilt Brides series: Lily and my latest publication, Andrea. In these two very different books, both Christmas and their quilts play an important part in them finding their happy ever afters. 

So, here are eight wonderful books for your holiday reading enjoyment. They are all on Kindle, KU, print, and Audible. Check them out. I'm sure you can find some that will bring you joy this Christmas season.

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Joy to the World!

Read Psalm 98

Issac Watts loved the Psalms and wanted people to be moved by them, so he paraphrased some of them into hymns. "Joy to the World!" (written in 1719) was one of them. It's based on Psalm 98, which calls for the earth to rejoice and sing praises of God's coming. It's a well-known Christmas hymn that we often sing during the holiday season.

However, Watts didn't write it as a Christmas song. It really addresses the second coming of Christ, and there are parallels. Just as the Israelites waited for the promised Messiah, the Savior of the World, Christians now wait for Jesus' return to take His people home. Either way, it's a joyous occasion and yes, joy to the world!

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrow grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And the wonders of His love,

And the wonders of His love,

And the wonders, wonders of His love.

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A Christmas Novel

I have a new book publishing on December 6th -- Andrea: Christmas Quilt Brides. Andrea grew up in an orphanage and has loved teaching literature, sewing, and quilting classes for the last year. She doesn't know much about the world outside of there, so when the director sends her to live in a small town a state away, she's faced with obstacles not many people understand. She stays with a pastor and his wife, and they help her, but Mrs. Crawford seems to expect her to find a husband, and Andrea's not ready for that. Only Zane Wagner, the store owner, seems to understand her. He even gives her a part-time job, and she's still able to quilt, but the future looks more uncertain than ever.

The book is on preorder now and will publish on Friday. LB Neibaur produced the Audible, and it should release soon. It's with ACX now for their final approval. Laura also narrated Lily: Christmas Quilt Brides, published for Christmas last year, and she does excellent work. I love to listen to her narrations, and I've used her for several Audible projects. From the reviews, I think listeners love her too.

What could be better than quilts in a cozy romance for the holidays? Don't miss out on this sweet read. Reserve your copy today.

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Thanksgiving Blessings

 

Doctors in the West

A western town was blessed to have a doctor in the early years, but 1880 Town did. His office and living quarters were above the emporium. One took the steep outside stairs to get there, and a small sign above and to one side of the door announced Dr. Adam's practice. I don't suppose he had to worry about advertising his business. If someone needed a doctor, they would find him. 

If a man was brought there badly injured, it might be difficult to get him up those narrow steps. However, the doctor would be called out to visit most patients. Early doctors went to people's homes and rarely treated patients in their offices. Yet, they had that capability should it be needed, and victims of saloon or street fights could end up there.

The rooms were small but adequate. The doctor had his office, an examining room, and a bedroom. His hat and medical bag sat nearby, ready to be grabbed at a moment's notice. Dr. Adams must have been single because a family would have required more space.

I have a novel, Beckett's Brides, featuring a doctor as the main character. Beckett Steele is the doctor in Deadwood, South Dakota. In fact, I was going to Deadwood to do research for this book and attend a writer's festival when I toured 1880 Town in Midland, South Dakota. In the book, Beckett can't believe it when his aunt sends him twins who have no place to go, and he's supposed to provide a chaperone and choose which one he wants to marry.

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 Come, All Ye Thankful

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever (Psalm 107:1).

When I was a child, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed long. Not anymore. The two holidays come back to back, running into each other. But then that's appropriate, isn't it? I'm certainly thankful for the meaning behind Christmas, for a Savior coming to earth to save me. We should all be thankful more often. True thankfulness dispels negative emotions and leaves us with a positive, joyful disposition. It makes us happy.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

One of the hymns we sing at Christmas begins, "O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant." What if only those who are thankful and joyful could come? How many Christians would be there? Since we have Jesus and forgiveness, we have so much to be thankful for. We should show that in the joyous way we meet and greet those around us. As this holiday season begins, let's spread joy and cheer wherever we go because we truly have a thankful heart, and let's make it last the whole year through.

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 Jail in 1880 Town

Most towns in the West had some sort of jail, especially in the later years. However, 1880 Town was rather unusual. It had two buildings. One housed the marshal's office and jail, and the other was a small building where another prisoner could be locked up. It looked like it might have been a former house converted into a jail. These holding areas tended to be austere and rustic because they weren't concerned with providing comfort.

Can you imagine being locked up in a place like this? I suppose it helped act as a strong deterrent, but you can understand why those being pursued by a lawman might go to extreme measures not to be apprehended. Prisons were often worse because they also involved hard labor. 

My newest release, A Match for Reece, features a sheriff in a small Texas town. Finding himself middle-aged, Reece decides to finally send for a mail-order bride, but his intended is running from the Chicago mob, and he and his young deputy struggle to protect her. The book is available on Kindle, KU, print, and Audible. 

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 Fear Not

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

You've probably heard the often-quoted statistic that we're told in the Bible not to fear 365 times -- one for each day of the year. One of the reasons God tells us not to fear so many times is that it's such a paralyzing force, and Satan often uses it. It's one of his main weapons of attack.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Fear and its rotten fruits, worry and anxiety, keep us from living the Christian life God wants for us. They immobilize us and prevent us from stepping out in faith. They take over our minds and steal our joy. We can't focus on God when we're occupied with such controlling thoughts.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

I remember when I was preparing to go to the Philippines as a missionary to replace a man and his pregnant wife who were on furlow for six months. I didn't know a soul there, and I was going as a single female. The night before I left, I lay, unable to sleep for all sorts of bad what-if scenarios rolling through my mind. Satan would have loved it if I'd decided that going was too risky. However, I decided to trust God and put everything in His hands. I had a great six months.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea. I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).

Decide not to let fear into your life. Choose to turn to God instead. There is no fear in Him and His perfect love. Instead, Christ offers freedom from such burdens. Don't let Satan win but instead, be victorious in Jesus.

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).

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 The Barbershop in 1880 Town and More

Most Western towns had a barber shop. Sometimes the barber would also take on different jobs, depending on the situation. Some were known to act as doctors, veterinarians, undertakers, etc. In 1880 Town, the barbershop also had a bathhouse, so cowboys, travelers, and others could get cleaned up.

The buildings and facilities would vary. Nicer ones could usually be found in the larger towns and cities, but one had to take whatever was available in the smaller locations. Although adequate, I found the barbershop in 1880 Town more rustic than the one I envisioned in my novel, A Match for Milton. 

Milton Cauley, the main character in A Match for Milton, is the barber in Pinyon Falls, Texas. A widower from a marriage that had turned unhappy in the end, Milton plans to spend the rest of his life single until a well-meaning friend secretly sends for a mail-order bride for him. Although Milton declares he'll have nothing to do with her, things don't turn out as he expects.

Link to A Match for Milton

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Two Opposites

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8).

The Bible tells us that God is love. It's His nature, a part of who He is. And unlike most humans, He loves unconditionally. If we belong to God, His love will overflow from us into others. It's amazing that so many people reject God and His perfect love. They don't know what they're missing. It's a precious treasure.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16).

In opposition, Satan works against us, fueled with hate. The Bible tells us he was a murderer from the beginning, and the truth is not in him. He's the father of lies because he told the first lie to Adam and Eve and brought sin into the world when he convinced them to disobey God.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth,  because there is no truth in him. He speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44).

It's for each one of us to choose. If we don't choose God, we are Satan's by default.

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A Writer Who Loves Quilts

Before I retired from teaching and became a full-time writer, I used to dabble in many arts and crafts. One of my favorite things to do was quilt, and I made many of them, selling most of them in craft shows. I not only made quilts, but I studied them. Some of the first magazine articles I wrote were about quilts and quilting. I've even appraised their value.

With an Appalachian heritage, I come from a long line of craftspeople. My great-aunt, embroidered, made quilts, and did other crafts to be sent to a gallery in New York City and sold there. My mother was talented and did many crafts, but interestingly, I brought her back to quilting when I became so involved in it. She used traditional patterns, but she also liked to draw her own, like this morning glory appliqued quilt she made for me.

Now, my quilt background enters some of my novels. The first one that focused on a quilter was Got Your Goat. Set in the Appalachian Mountains right after the Civil War, Emily Rose was both a quilter and a potter, but she had more success with her quilting. Then, came Candace, who finds a way to make a quilt in a remote cabin in the Rockies without the proper supplies. Two quilts play a very important part in Lily finding a happy future in Lily: Christmas Quilt Brides. The next book of mine in the same series, Andrea, involves an avid quilter and will publish on December 6th. As much as I love quilting, I'm sure they will be included in more books to come.

Got Your Goat

Candace: Runaway Brides of the West

Lily

Andrea

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