Embracing Life—Together
For many years, I believed the lie that everyone else had life figured out. They didn’t have problems, they didn’t struggle, and their lives were perfect. I no longer think that way.
No one gets the life they dreamed of. I didn’t either. Life can beat us up.
I guess that is why Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John16:33).
I hope this space will be a place for us to sort through those troubles—a place to mourn the life we had imagined and embrace the one we have.
Since I’m passionate about encouraging others in their faith, I’ll be sharing monthly reflections on various topics—from facing fears to forgiveness to finding hope when life gets hard. It’s my desire that these reflections inspire hope, deepen your trust in God, and encourage you on your journey.
That journey can get rather bumpy at times (I’m writing this in a plane during turbulence), but whether sunny skies or stormy seas, I pray that you will hold on to the promises of God and trust him with everything.
Show up here as you are—whether flying high, falling apart, or somewhere in between.
Since we’ll be spending time together, let me tell you a bit about myself. I’m a wife, mother to four, and grandma to two. I’m also an author. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Waterloo with a studio specialization that fulfilled my love of drawing and painting. When not writing, you’ll find me painting large abstracts, gardening, or having tea and scones with friends. Did I mention I love tea and coffee?
My husband (a serial entrepreneur) and I have been married for thirty-two years, and I homeschooled our children for nineteen years.
My Family
When my oldest three launched and my youngest went to school, I dove into my passion for writing. One More Tomorrow is my first book, a sweet romance novel I wrote when my kids were little but waited to publish until they were grown. In 2020, it won Best Romantic Fiction, and I was given the title of Best New Canadian Author at The Word Awards—Canada’s top Christian literary awards. Shortly after, I published my second book, Soul Focus - Trials, a 30-day devotional inspired by the written prayers to God I scribbled in my journals over the years. My newest work, a novella entitled Where My Heart Belongs, is one of four stories in I’ll Be Home, a Christmas anthology that releases in fall 2024, a collaboration with the Fab Four—my dear author friends.
The Fab Four
I’m thrilled to be here with you at BE Magazine’s inception, and I look forward to us growing in our faith and love of God together.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Melanie xo
