Monday, April 6, 2015

Dry Patches by Jude Urbanski


Hi, everyone! I hope everyone had a Happy Easter! Please welcome author Jude Urbanski. Here's Jude:

Katalina Davidson and Seth Orbin, main characters in my Chronicles of Chanute Crossing Series, and I share a big, dry patch in our lives. We each have lost a spouse. My loss is only weeks old, but the three of us have tried to water and refresh this dry patch in very different ways.

I admit I am still new in the grieving process and miss my husband immensely, but with the help of God, family and friends, I am focusing on good memories of my long years with Conrad. And, I do not grieve without hope of resurrection and I am confident of Conrad’s presence with God. I’m sure my response would be different did I not hold these beliefs.

Anger at God is one common response when loss is experienced, but God has big shoulders. He can take it for He knows loss is universal and grief is evergreen. Who among us has not felt loss or grief?
Kate thought a capricious God had played a cruel trick on her and her grief remained unresolved. She became stuck in anger with God, asking the proverbial question: “Where is God when bad things happen to good people?” Being young in her faith, God’s grace and mercy escaped her. Seth’s deep love almost escaped her also.
Kate
At first, Seth, who had lost both his young doctor wife and son, sunk into depression as his response. He asked the same question as Kate, but finally realized it was not his to ask God why, but to accept God’s sovereignty. He probably didn’t realize how wise this choice was, for God always and forever has our back. He is always on the journey with us, even when we don’t feel it or see His answers. Of this I am confident.

Seth had so grown in his faith he knew he could never settle for a wife who did not believe in or love God as he did. He was conflicted about his strong attraction to Kate, yet didn’t want to give up on this beautiful widow and her winsome, little children even though events seemed destined to keep them apart.

Seth
Kate, Seth and I had to ask, “How do we reconstruct our lives after loss?” I’m still framing that reconstruction, but through Joy Restored and its sequel Nurtured in Purple, my hero and heroine and all the other amazing characters of my Chanute Crossing series, come off the pages and delight with their diverse stories. They show we can never go beyond the grace and mercy of God.

Natalie, I enjoyed talking with your readers, Blessings on the day to each.
Find more about me or my books at my Amazon author page or at links below:


Jude Urbanski writes women's fiction featuring strong inspirational romance elements. She invites you to stories of heroes and heroines who spin tragedy into triumph with help from God.

Fun poll about Jude: 




Natalie, here. Wow. What a sweet-spirited testimony of God's grace. Thank you so much, Jude, for allowing God to use you even in the hard times.

Jude is graciously offering an e-copy of one of her books from her Chanute Chronicles or her nonfiction title, I Don't Remember Me. Enter using the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you suffered a time of loss in your life? How has God helped you move forward?

9 comments:

  1. Have not had the pleasure of reading any of your books and this is the first time hearing about you. Would so love to win your book! thanks for the contest. Mary Lou K
    flowersmarylou85@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, Mary Lou! Welcome to the Sweet South Blog! Thanks for coming by! Best wishes on winning one of Jude's books!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Mary Lou! Thanks for dropping by Natalie's refreshing blog and I'd certainly enjoy your getting acquainted with my books. Seth and Kate became characters I still think about and learn from.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Natalie, thanks so much for having me on your blog and allowing me to share my favorite characters with your readers. I am imagining what Spring in Chanute Crossing would have looked like with all the surrounding flowers and hills. Of course, it is my bestest season of all!

    ReplyDelete
  5. When there has been loss in my life I get overly busy. I want to prove to myself and others that I am ok. As I have slowed myself down to enjoy who God made me to be in the midst of it all, I am comforted. He's the greatest Listener!
    I read Jude's book over a year ago and yes, I remember the tragedies and then....God's grace. God's grace be with Jude!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for your comments, Laurie. I like what you're saying about allowing yourself to slow down and be at peace. I see you doing that and admire it. May God's grace abound for us both.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Natalie, thanks so much for having me. Several friends dropped by but left no comments! I love being comforted by the fact that God is always, always on the journey with us even though we may think otherwise sometimes. Let me know who won the book. Blessings to you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Welcome to the Sweet South Blog, Laurie! Thank you for coming by and sharing your experience with us!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sure thing, Jude. Once again, thank you so much for coming to the blog. This post really ministers, and I'm so glad you were able to share this with us. I'll be in touch about the winner.

    ReplyDelete

Let's chat!