Cindy Sproles, Featured Author, plus Monthly Book Give-Away

Christian author and speaker, Cindy Sproles

It's time again for our guest author and monthly book give-away.  It is my pleasure to introduce Cindy Sproles to you today.  I've recently become familiar with Cindy's writing through ChristianDevotions.us.  Cindy is co-founder and executive editor of this 501c3 non-profit ministry. Cindy is the co-author of the successful He Said, She Said devotions and is the co-host of the nationally syndicated BlogTalk Radio show, Christians Devotions Speak UP!  She is a contributor to CBN.com and is director of Writer ADVANCE! Boot Camp Writers Conference. I recently read her new book, New Sheets. I was touched by its relevance and candor.  I believe almost every woman can find encouragement there.  So, I've asked Cindy to tell us about herself and her writing.  And I'm giving away a copy of her book.

Tell us about your new release, New Sheets--Thirty Days to Refine You into the Woman You Can Be. 

New Sheets is a thirty-day devotional/inspirational book.  It was a project I thought of years ago.  Every time I picked up a pen to write it, I found I hadn't matured enough to write it with authority and hindsight.  I came up with the idea in 1984.  I'd gone through a divorce, and moved back to Tennessee with a broken heart and two boys under the age of three. I had no car, no money, and no job.  It took years to look through the rough times and find the good.  But I came at it with the mindset, "God has a plan.  I'm gonna learn."

I kept a journal for a while just to help me through, then one night as I turned down the comforter, ready to crawl into bed, I realized I was still sleeping with the memories of the man who'd divorced me, sleeping on the same sheets I'd slept on with him.  It was time for something new.  A new start.

I couldn't afford a shopping spree.  I could barely afford groceries, but I literally saved quarters in a mason jar until I had enough money to go to Wal-Mart to buy new sheets.  I found some brown and pink paisley ones in the bottom of the sale bin.  New.  Crisp.  Wrinkle-free.  And when I put them on the bed, it was like a new page in my life. 

So after that, every new turn in my life, I bought a new set of sheets. Each new set marked a time in my life when God stoked the fire under me, hung me over the flames and refined me like silver. By the time I hit my 50s I could look over the prior thrity years and say with confidence. . . "I've matured.  Refined.  Learned."  Hence the book.  To this day, I send new sheets to friends who have gone through major devastating life changes.

Tell us about your family.

We're a combined family.  After my divorce, I never imagined I'd remarry.  I struggled with the scriptural side of divorce.  But God sent me Tim.  He took my children (one of them disabled) and me and loved us as though we had always been his.  We have four boys between us, aged 32 and 31 years old.  We're looking forward to our first grandbaby.  We live in the mountains of East Tennessee.  There is never a day that passes I do not praise God for my family.  We are blessed.

You mentioned a special ministry where your heart lies.

There is an organization called Hope House that helps young, unwed moms choose life for their babies.  They help with housing, parenting skills, job training, teach Biblical principals, and so much more.  Our lives and hearts have been touched by the work these folks do.  With every sale of New Sheets, a portion of the money goes to Hope House for the women and the babies they help.

Do you have any closing advice for us?

If I had words of wisdom to offer it would simply be to live by the words of the Apostle Paul.  "Rejoice in the Lord always.  Rejoice in all things". All of us occasionally hit the river and bounce like a skipping rock.  The bounces hurt, but when we manage through them and the skid comes--what a ride.  Learning to rejoice in every situation takes skill and faith.  That's where God refines us.  Those are my words of wisdom.  That and this:  Buy yourself a set of new sheets when the storm is over.  It's a fresh start.  New Sheets. . . new day. . . new start.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.  Philippians 4:4

 Now, for an opportunity to receive a copy of Cindy's devotional, New Sheets.

At least ten readers must comment and share in order for there to be a book give-away. So come on everyone. Join in. Follow these easy steps to qualify for the random drawing.

1. Leave a comment on this blog.  (Include your name and email address if you want to be included in the drawing. I will use your address to contact you if you win.) I love to read your comments.  Cindy will comment as well.

2. Share this blog post on Facebook so your friends will read about it and visit too, or tweet it, or mention the book give-away on your own blog. If you do not have a facebook, or a blog, become a follower of this site.

Complete these steps by 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 8th. A winner will be announced here on Monday, December 10th, so be sure to check back to see if you've won.

Thank you for supporting my writing by reading and commenting on this blog.  You are a blessing to me.  Please come again.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:6.

God be with you.