Highlighting Members Recent Releases

 

Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our Facebook page and blog.

Today's blog will highlight some of the recent releases of our members from Aug 2025-Feb 2026

Historical Fiction

The Hunter fo Macquarie Collection

The Hunter fo Macquarie Collection - 1795-1822

by Sara Powter

This collection of stories offers insight into life in the colony during the early days of settlement, as seen through the eyes of the governors and trusted convicts. Of the first ten governors, seven were recalled to face inquiries, and all were later exonerated.

Book 1 When Upon Life Billows
Book 2 The Saddler’s Song
Book 3 Tuppence to Pass
Book 4 His Majesty’s Pageboy
Book 5 A Fist Full of Holey Dollars

Sara Powter worked with her mother, Sheila Hunter, to research their family history. Through this, they discovered many wonderful Australian Colonial stories from the four Convicts they found in their tree.

https://www.sarapowter.com.au/ 

Universal buy link to collection:-https://mybook.to/CbMaqV

Romance

A Heart to Treasure

A Heartto Treasure

by A Heart to Treasure by Dienece Darling

The vicar’s son and the draper’s daughter have fought against all odds to be together, yet both are ignoring the cracks in their relationship. And a storm is coming. One that will shatter everything. Can two hearts torn apart by pride find their way back to each other?

Dienece Darling is a former Georgia Belle who calls Melbourne home these days. She writes first person inspirational historical romance, and her first name is a variant spelling of Denise.

Find Dienece on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063748350005

Buy link:
https://books2read.com/ahearttotreasure

Not Running Away

Not Running Away

Melissa Gijsbers

Gemma Duncan isn’t running away — she’s running towards something new. A temporary job in Sapphire Bay was meant to be a quiet escape, but friendship, community, and an unexpected connection with Adam make her question everything. When a permanent opportunity arises, she must choose familiarity… or the life that feels like home.  

Author Bio: Melissa Gijsbers is a late-diagnosed AuDHD woman and Gippsland-based author who can't stick to one thing. She has written picture books, middle grade books, novellas, and more. You can find more about her on melissagijsbers.com or https://www.facebook.com/MelissaGijsbers (feel free to leave out the Facebook link if you only want one link).

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com.au/Not-Running-Away-Melissa-Gijsbers-ebook/dp/B0GHJ1JBH6

Holly Hartmann Romances

One Cabin For Christmas: A forced proximity, second chance, fade-to-black, holiday romcom with rescue horses and a gassy beagle (Christmas in Vermont Book 1)

By Holly Hartman

One job. One cabin. One second chance at forever.
☃️Expect:

• Small-town Christmas magic
• Forced proximity
• Second chances
• Found family
• Veterinary workplace
• Rescue horses
• Heart and humour
• Swoony, fade-to-black chemistry and guaranteed HEA

Buy: https://books2read.com/u/mVJa5r
Or get it free: www.hollyhartmanbooks.com/bonus-Christmas-romance

Running from Christmas: A Grumpy-Sunshine, Snowed-In, Christmas Romance with Heart (and Paws) (Christmas in Vermont Book 2)

By Holly Hartman

She hates Christmas. He lives for it. One rescue dog thinks they're perfect for each other.

☃️Expect:

• Small-town Christmas magic
• Reverse grumpy-sunshine
• Aussie veterinarian fish out of water
• Snowstorms with great timing
• A huge rescue dog
• Widower finding love again
• She’s leaving town (ticking clock)
• Swoony, fade-to-black chemistry
• Guaranteed HEA

Buy: https://books2read.com/u/boJazp

A Very Merri Christmas: A Second-Chance, Snowed-in, Holiday Romance About Brave Love and Finding Home (Christmas in Vermont Book 3)

By Holly Hartman

She's marrying the safe choice. He's the deputy who never stopped loving her. One blizzard means there's nowhere left to hide.

☃️Expect:

• Small-town Christmas magic in snowy Vermont
• He’s always loved her / she’s been playing it safe
• Animal rescue
• Snowed-in survival intimacy
• Poignant and funny
• Swoony, fade-to-black chemistry & guaranteed HEA

Buy: https://books2read.com/u/b5LG7k

Bio: Holly Hartman writes contemporary, small-town romance, with warmth, wit and swoony fade-to-black chemistry. Her stories are filled with longing glances, emotional misfires, and love that feels like coming home.

https://www.facebook.com/HollyHartmanBooks/

Contemporary

Spiralling Solo

Spiralling Solo (book 3 of the Spiralling Trilogy)
by Michelle Dennis Evans

Stephanie is determined to stand alone, juggling finances and past trauma while her friendship with Tabbie fractures. Tabbie faces heartbreak in her final school year. The girls drift apart just when they need each other most, both drawn to the newly confident dancer Joey. Navigating loneliness, loss, love, and temptation, they must discover their true selves before their bond breaks.

Podcaster and YA contemporary author exploring life’s challenges, victories and the joy of hope. Michelle Dennis Evans balances her writing by empowering others to live with health, vitality & freedom.

MDE link:https://michelledennisevans.com/

Buy link: https://www.booktopia.com.au/spiralling-solo-michelle-dennis-evans/book/9781923533073.html

Paint the Walls Red

Paint the Walls Red
 by Suzie Peace Pybus

Meg has carried the weight of one devastating choice for forty years. Now as strange events unfold in the hospital where she works, she senses they are tied to her past. With her memory failing, she must race to uncover the truth before she forgets completely.

Suzie lives on a small fruit and vegetable farm in Tasmania. She writes distinctly Australian stories about courageous women facing social challenges, each threaded with mystery.

Suzie's website: https://www.suziepeacepybus.com/

Buylink: https://tinyurl.com/y3u4s9nv

Restoring Hope

Restoring Hope

by Philippa Cleall

After escaping harm, Hope returns to Wombat Valley to rebuild her life. But when a charming, dangerous figure from her past returns, can she stand firm in the new faith and friendships that she’s found? Restoring Hope is a heartfelt story of resilience, rediscovery, and finding a safe place to call home.

Philippa Cleall is a Children’s and Family Counsellor and volunteer Court Chaplain. She has a heart for seeing faith communities become more trauma informed so they can care for those hurting with greater wisdom, compassion, grace, and truth. www.philippacleall.com

Bu link: www.amazon.com.au/Restoring-Hope-Philippa-Cleall-ebook/dp/B0F4H6WWY4/

Speculative Fiction (Sci-Fi & Fantasy)

The Wells of Callystra

The Wells of Callystra Book 8 (published 31st October, 2025).
by Elizabeth Klein

A perilous journey to the mountains of Karakor is undertaken by elf prince, Aeron Bregolas. Once there, he manages to unite his elven tribe with the largest dwarf kingdom in Bethloria. But at a terrible cost. To save both himself and his men, he is forced to activate an ancient talisman with devastating consequences to himself.

Elizabeth Klein lives and writes in a caravan and has over 100 published works. She enjoys writing YA fantasy and fairytale retellings.

Website https://www.elizabethkleinauthor.com/

Buy Link: https://www.ama:zon.com/-/e/B07ZBTVVX4

Flare Up

Flare Up: Adventure with Jett Faraday, much loved character from the Blaine Colton trilogy 
by Adele Jones

Eighteen-old, Jett Faraday is pushed to the limit when gym manager, Luca, discovers his interest in a bodybuilding competition and pressures him to take an illicit performance enhancer to accelerate his gains. When Luca makes physical threats, and he grows increasingly erratic. Jett digs deeper, unearthing a high-tech operation formulating ingestible products for engineering mind-manipulable super-humans. When that technology is turned on him, Jett faces a fight for survival that may cost him everything.

Adele Jones writes fringe and near young adult "Science fiction for the real world". Fuelled by her passion for family, faith, music and science, she tackles complex teen issues including self-worth, disability, loss, domestic violence, youth crime and more. To learn more visit: www.adelejonesauthor.com

Buy link:

Rise of the Consortium

Rise of the Consortium

by Jeanette O'Hagan

A young blind woman, an ambitious math genius, a rejected splice clone, a cynical detective, an angry post-doc student, or an agent trying to correct the mistakes of her father?

Nine interwoven stories that stretch from the seat of Nardvan power in Pelinor to the far reaches of the sun-system. Ten different and diverse people forced to face their own demons and overwhelming power, privilege and corruption. A growing band of rebels fighting against the might of Endira Corp.

Will their courage, choices and resolve save Nardva or will they die trying – or worse – be transformed into one of Endira’s mindless cyborg slaves?

Find out in Rise of the Consortium, a thrilling collection of sci-fi short stories by Jeanette O’Hagan, set in the future of the world of Nardva.

Jeanette O’Hagan began spinning tales in the world of Nardva from the age of eight or nine. Her Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations and cyborgs.

Buy link: https://books2read.com/u/47ow8A

Christian Life and Reflection

Stories of Life - Turning Ten 

Turning Ten

Edited by Claire Bell (Editor), Pete Court (Editor), Esther Cremona (Editor)

The Title Story (Jenny Woolsey): Explores a child's ordeal with major surgery, featuring themes of comfort, support from adults, and faith during a challenging time. Turning Ten is, appropriately, the title story of this tenth annual Stories of Life anthology. Once again, ordinary people have sent in wonderfully varied stories of how God met them in everyday situations readers can identify with. Some stories span many years, others a single afternoon. Some are a little sombre, and some are laugh-out-loud funny. Many, like the title story, recall childhood experiences of God’s comfort and provision in difficult times. Other writers drew inspiration from road trips, hospital trips, family life, and walking in nature. But one theme shines through them all. No matter how small or large our need, God always watches over us in love, to guide, protect and equip us.

CWD members include authors Karen John Roper, Jenny Woolsey & Barbara Jean McKay & editors Claire Bell, Peter Court and Esther Cremona.

Alternative:

Buy link: https://storiesoflife.net/product/turning-ten/

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements.

Jeanette O'Hagan

Writing goals when you’re nearly 80

by Barbara McKay

My story

Since my husband died from metastatic cancer in 2014, learning to write creatively has been therapeutic.


‘Don’t you think I’m too old to be writing?’ I was speaking with a lovely author, Anne Hamilton at a Writer’s weekend in Brisbane early this year. She answered me ‘No’ she said,

‘You are showing cognitive plasticity’. I could have jumped for joy at those words, but I couldn’t because I’d broken my leg


My creative writing journey began when I saw an ad ‘Write your Memoir’ course by Cecily Anne Patterson. In 2018, I was 73, and a widow coping with grief and loss. I contacted
Cecily, and slowly worked through every session. Lots of new terminology, and eventually, I wrote my first chapter, getting to about 80,000 words.


In 2022, Vanessa Vankcom said ‘Why don’t you send 10,000 words into Omega Writers for the CALEB Unpublished Adult Nonfiction section? I did. I received an email to say ‘You are a finalist’. I cried all day. What was God saying to me?


I was 77. I faced my fears, and decided to go to the conference at Kingscliff. I met Cecily, and many other amazing authors. They weren’t scary, but normal human beings, fun and developing their writing to bless others.


After that weekend, Nola Passmore, the encourager who specialises in nagging us to write, invited me to join the Toowoomba Omega Writers – again, a scary experience but exciting. I told the group ‘I’m in Year 3 doing a subject titled ‘Creative Writing’. Some of them told me off. ‘No, you cannot say that. You are on a creative learning curve, just like all of us.’ Mazzy even said that with my life’s experience, I’d have plenty to write about from a mature perspective.’ She’s a great encourager.

Some Writing Tips

Tips for organising your writing goals when you’re nearly 80, when you feel you’ve left it too late. Why did I ask that question?


Firstly, the ageing process does bring deficits with chronic illness, hospitalization, loneliness, and discouragement. Those of you who have older members in your families see their decline.

Secondly, our lives do have an expiry date. I do feel a sense of urgency with my writing because none of us know when that time will come. What creative work is a priority? What do I leave undone? What stories do I tell? I am in the final season of my life. I’m in my 80th year – unbelievable. To think that I’m learning at this age is surely a gift from my loving Heavenly Father. I do lose heart and that’s why I love it when the apostle Paul says ‘Do not lose heart. Though outwardly, we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day.’ 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

Thirdly, the gift of encouragement. Why is it that many of us become discouraged and long for words of affirmation? How do I finish my life with few regrets?

What makes me a feisty nearly 80-year-old who feasts on life?  Many of your comments bring the sparks that light up my life.

1. Meredith said ‘my mother finished her memoirs at the end of last year. She was 85. She passed away four months after she finished writing them. ‘What a wonderful story, and no doubt Meredith gave her loads of encouragement. We need to get a rough draft down, even if it isn’t published.

2. Nola mentioned a lady who died at the age of 96. ‘She was writing a monthly column into her 90’s. She turned in her last column on the day she died.’

3. Sue Jeffrey is the one who said ‘you inspire me’ and called me ‘feisty’

4. Christine O’Malley said ‘build yourself a group of praying supporters who will laugh with you, cry with you…and keep on asking how the writing is going to make sure you don’t give up.’ Let’s do it. That’s not easy for some of us who live in rural places, but it is do-able. We have ‘zoom’ and a ‘mobile’.

5. One young author, Stephanie said ‘I want to keep on encouraging others. The gift of encouragement is such a kind, generous gift.

6. Anusha mentioned ‘I make writing goals each year’.

7. Recently, I read a letter from my aunt, Hilda North. She was writing to me to give instructions on organising her 90 th birthday’. God nudged me. ‘Look at that aunty of yours – cognitively, as sharp as a tack. She lived until she was 101.

8. I have learnt not to compare myself with others. The more I learn about creative writing, the more I realise there is so much that I do not understand. People have said to me ‘you have to start somewhere’.

Finally 

This year, I suffered, I broke my left leg badly – hospitalised for 77 days, moon boot for 11 weeks, and transition care for 12 weeks. ‘What was God trying to tell me?' 

Again, God placed wonderful people on my radar, surprising me with heavenly hugs. I wrote two stories about my suffering, and I’m pleased they are being published in Stories of Life - His love to me during the tough times.


Now I want to hear from you, stories about those who persevere when tempted to give up – stories from those who are in their 70’s and 80’s. What legacy are you leaving?

Brought to you by Barbara McKay 

Spring Highlights 2024

 This year has been a busy one full of events and achievements. Here are some higlights. 

Omega Writers Conference

The Biennial Omega Writers Conference was held at Newport, Sydney on 20-22 September with a special worshop with the keynote speaker, Susan May Warren on the Monday 23rd. 

The conference fully booked out the hotel & the program was packed with presentations, workshops and panels. The Key Note speaker, Susan May Warren, prolific author of romantic suspense and other genres, was an electrifying story teller and inspiratonal coach. Her hairraising stories of her adventures in Russia keep us on the edge of our seats.  Other presenttions included writing craft, writer's life, publishing, promotion and marketing. Best of all was reconnecting with other writers and meeting new friends. 

Spec Fic writers at the Omega Writers Conference

On the Saturday night, many of us rose to the challenge of dressing in tune with our genres and after we'd enjoyed a delicious dinner as the highlight of the night, the CALEB awards were presented to their deservining recipients. 

Well done to all the finalists and Congratulations to CALEB WINNERS

Early Reader

Riz Chester – The Counterfeit Bust by R A Stephens

Middle Grade

Xavier in the Meantime by Kate Gordon

Young Adult Fiction

Flying Blind by Rosanne Hawke

Adult Fiction

Heart in the Clouds by Jennifer Mistmorgan

Non-fiction

The Gender Revolution by Patricia Weerakoon; Robert Smith; Kamal Weerakoon

Next year's CALEB awards will be for unpublished manuscripts.

Story of Life 

The contributors to the Story of Life anthology have been announced with many CWD members included in the anthology.

Congratulations all, especially to our CWD members, Amy George, Barbara McKay, Claire Bell, Helen Bishop, Jenny Woolsey, Julia Archer, Julie Willersdorf, Kylie Gardiner, Liisa Grace, Nola Lorraine, R. J. Rodda, Teri Kempe, Valerie Volk 

The full list of contributors:

Amy George The Picture of a Man

Arlene Dodson The Stranger

Barbara McKay The Person in the Patient and Looking Through My Bedroom Window

Caitlin Pywell Beyond Borders: Unchartered Faith

Chantel Birkin The Deepest Scarring Will Heal

Claire Bell Lifeline

Clarisse Lim Yellow

Chris Lee Sovereign Embrace

Diana Davison He Always Listens

Esther Cremona Peak Hour

Grace Yee A Perfect Failure

Helen Bishop The Truth and the Life

Helena Stretton Barzillai – a man for all generations

Jenny Woolsey Almond-shaped Eyes

Joanne Prenzler Smith Lost in Warsaw

Julia Archer The Tractor

Julie Willersdorf Weeds and a Widow

Kerry Osborne Defiant Joy and Just Look at the Trees

Kylie Gardiner Little Dove

Lesley Beth Manuel Blues

Liisa Grace My Earthly Angel

Lynda Wake Coming to my Senses

Lynda Worrell Emus, Dogs and Distractions

Margot Leggett Patting a Calf and Picnic by a Creek

N. K. Hatendi Commemoration of a Martyr

Nola Lorraine Face to Face

Phillipa Selby Uncoupling

R. J. Rodda Then I Saw Her

Rochelle Sharpe Our Dog, Rosie

Ross McIlwraith Chase the Chickens off the Runway

S. L. Wade The White Vase and Daughter

Steph Penny Heaven Scent

Teri Kempe Am I My Brother’s Keeper

Val Russell The Mouse and the Eagle

Valda Schmacker Talking Trees

Valerie Volk Any Sparrow that Falls

Vicki Smith Thank You

This collection of true stories of faith will be launched on Thursday evening, 14 November 2024, at Tabor College, Adelaide. At the launch, prize winners in the Open and Short category will also be announced. The event will be live-streamed on Facebook.

Brisbane Training Day for Writers.

 And a Reminder - the Brisbane Training Day for Writers is fast approaching on Sautrday 12 October.  

                              Here's the info.



 You have heard how 'easy' it is - so - onto the next step - the doing.

                                     Now into the nitty-gritty.

12^th October 

8:30 am to 4:30pm

Coopers Colonial Motel, 1260 Beaudesert Road, Acacia Ridge.

We will host three workshops of 2 hours each.

Workshop 1  Editing Audio Files

presented by our Brilliant Beck Robinson

Making and editing audio files for podcasts, reels or YouTube uploads.

Workshop 2  Draft to Digital

Presented by our amazing Jenny O'Hagan

Learn how to upload your manuscript into an eBook.

Workshop 3 Adding Pizzaz for That Extra Oomph 

Presented by our Awesome Annie Hamilton

Learn how to use CANVA to make pictures for social media and brochures.

Cost is $62. This includes Morning and afternoon teas and lunch.

try booking and detains -  https://www.trybooking.com/CTPQJ

 Cost for the day is $62.

If you'd just like to come for part of the day, let us know). It will be $30 at the door - there's no option to pay this online, but we need numbers - and dietary needs for ordering your lunch and morning teas, so let Judy Rogers at lindwallbears@hotmail.com. 

Remember you'll need your computers and cables. 

You're all welcome - (families too) to join us for dinner at your own expense in the restaurant afterwards.

What events and achievements are you celebrating this Spring?

Is God in Valentine's Day? by Jo Wanmer

‘I hate Valentine’s Day.’ Mandy twisted crepe paper to make flowers – red of course – to decorate cards. Polly, her daughter wanted to give them away at school. Some of the flowers were strangled, rather than twisted. How had she allowed herself to be cajoled into such an activity? Polly flopped on the chair beside her and started to arrange flowers on the front of a card, lettered with eight-year-old precision.

‘Can I have more, Mum. I want my card to be ‘stravagant.’

Gulping back a retort, she turned back to the task. Cut, roll and strangle, cut,
roll and strangle.

Later she fell into bed alone, for single mothers are always alone, unless a mini person sneaks in. Lights out. House quiet. Sleep elusive, she gazed at the dark ceiling. ‘Are you listening tonight, Lord?’

In the ensuing silence she adjusted her greeting. ‘Okay, Lord. That was a silly question. You are always listening. You’ve never failed me yet…but its nearly Valentine’s Day. The shops covered in red and hearts and cupids. Gross. Facebook ads are suggesting I spoil my Valentine. Which is ridiculous. Surely, they know I don’t have a Valentine, will never again have one. Just another year sitting at my desk, smiling at everyone, taking flowers and delivering them to some blonde bimbo in the back office. Always delivered with fake excitement and false enthusiasm. Yuk. I don’t think I can do it another year.’

She rolled over, allowed herself a few self-pity tears, and succumbed to sleep.

To the side the angels huddled together to consult. ‘Isn’t Jesus her beloved? Maybe we can spoil her this year? Send her heavenly gifts, heal her heart. We will have to ask the boss.’

Valentine’s day dawned clear, with a few clouds scattered to the east. The sunrise lit the sky with vibrant reds, golds and pinks . Polly, jumping with excitement, called Mandy from the kitchen so show her.

‘Polly, we don’t have time today. Do you have your shoes on?’

‘Ooh, Mummy. Now there is a big rainbow, a double one…’

‘Pack your bag, Polly. I’ve got a tough day and I don’t need to be running late. Have you got your cards?’

‘Decided not to give Boris one. He’s boring.’

‘Well find someone else to give it to. I haven’t gone to all that trouble for nothing.’

The angels were scrambling. Two of their gifts were unseen, unopened. They spotlighted the tree trunk near the letter box, where Jesus had carved a heart, ages ago. Maybe today she would see it.

Mandy blinked at the tree trunk. ‘Are you
mocking me God? There’s even a heart in my own yard now.’

The work carpark was full. Frustrated, Mandy yanked her car into the back up park and took a short cut through the garden. She stubbed her toe on a tree stump, but missed its message, and rushed inside. ‘God give me your grace. You say it is sufficient. It will need to be today.’

That afternoon she walked out of the office with several flowers. A red rose, a pink carnation with curled petals, a stem of purple iris and a potted fern that her boss sent with her, claiming it would die at her place. Mandy placed the flowers on the car seat and nestled the fern between a couple of bags so it wouldn’t fall. All second-hand, leftover, unwanted gifts that had been passed on to her - poor jilted, forgotten Mandy. She released her hair clip, allowing her hair to fall as a curtain to hide her tears.

Polly had gone home with a friend after school so Mandy stopped at the river and wandered down to the stony little beach under the bridge. Sitting on a rock she smoothed the sandy surface and doodled.

'God, I wish I could pray but I feel so let down today. Did you even hear my prayers?

Who did you bless today?

The random thought set her back? Her hackles rose and she spoke to the river. ‘I wished everyone a Happy day.’ The river sang in response. The leaves danced above her. Looking down, she realized she was tracing hearts in the sand. Her hand destroyed them with one sweep. Hot tears wet the sand. ‘I’m sorry Lord. I’ve been so busy worshiping my own pain, I didn’t do anything for anyone. And I’ve been given so much.  Even Christy shared from the bouquet her fiancé sent.’

Her hand smoothed the sand and drew a large slightly-wonky heart. Feeling a little foolish, she scribed her initials and below added ‘Jesus’. 

The angels danced with joy around her. She couldn’t see them, or even discern them, but her heart filled with warmth and she relaxed beneath the green canopy.

In the car, the flowers grinned at her. The fern was the exact one she'd wanted for ages. The carnation was the same as the one  her grandmother grew. Maybe God had been in her day.

Holly rushed out to the car, thrusting a huge big Camelia at her. ‘Callie’s mum said I could pick it for you.’ She dug in her bag and held out the crushed valentine card. ‘I saved it specially for you. Mummy.’

At her front gate, balancing flowers and the card, Mandy stopped at the tree and traced her finger over the heart. 'I’m sorry, I missed it Lord. Thanks for giving me a wonderful day.’

In this simple story, God is Mandy’s lover, her friend. But she was slow to see Him, to hear Him, to understand.

When I’m writing I can do the same. He presents an idea to my thinking. I miss it or discard as a terrible idea, only to appreciate it some time later. In one book, my protagonist was locked in a remote hut. I had plans to progress the plot while she was there, but the whole book was written from her point of view. I spent 3 days, stuck, not a word written as I seemed to be at a dead end. In desperation, I decided to get her out of the hut by using the delete button. Rewrite. Just before I did, I asked God. He showed me the information to advance the plot was in the hut. It was brilliant. If only I wasn’t so slow to understand.

How about you? Does He lead you, or sometimes do you too miss it?

Jo Wanmer loves to watch for God everywhere, for he is everywhere! She lives with her husband, Steve, her granddaughter and a young man who has joined them recently. They have home church every Friday evening with about 12 others and their poodle, Barclay.

Jo recently won the Stories of Life writing competition for 2021 with her short story, 'Mum, meet my mother.' Her award winning novel, Though the Bud be Bruised was published in 2012, but still blesses people today. Her passion is to inspire others to walk deeper with God and hence reach their full potential.

A Story of Life

 

Recently I was asked, as a representative of Omega Writers, to attend the awards ceremony of the Stories of Life writing competition.

 It was a blessing to see the South Australian writers present in person and know that interstate writers were able to watch online.

Stories of Life is a great competition, giving opportunity to writers at any stage of development to apply themselves to tell a story that encourages, inspired by real life events. A number of people I know from this network and other connections were published in the anthology that resulted, and it was great to read their stories.

I have a real-life story of my own I’d like to share. It is about the love of God in a difficult situation.

 

It’s a true story, a little bit funny, a bit sad, but it’s an inspirational story. It started Easter 2015, on Good Friday to be exact.

As is often the case on Good Friday, I found myself part of the Good Friday church service. I was playing the piano, and my husband (the pastor at that time) had arranged, among other things, that I would play the old hymn ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross’ as a background accompaniment while three people read pieces of Scripture. I needed to get a scanned copy of the music as I couldn’t find my old hymn books. I had it all sorted and I’d practiced it, and it was all good. The service went along as planned, and it was inspirational and a little bit stirring, as all Good Friday services should be.

 

 At the end of the service my husband did one of his special spontaneous moments that he is famous for, and announced to the congregation that he would get his wife (that’s me) to come back to the piano and sing ‘The Old Rugged Cross’. I’m sort of used to these surprise put-you-on-the-spot ideas that pop up from time to time, and I can usually fumble about and make something happen, but I honestly hadn’t played ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ in years. I couldn’t remember half the words, was not sure which key it should be played in so that I didn’t find myself shattering the glass windows with notes that were too high. AND you know with old hymns, they are notorious for throwing in odd chords outside the usual easy progression. I just wasn’t sure if I could actually do it on the spot with no opportunity to practise first. But the congregation had their eyes turned towards me in expectation. My husband magnanimously says: “Is that all right?” He'd already told the congregation I’d do it, so it had to be all right, didn't’t it? I shrugged my shoulders and said weakly, “I guess so...”

 

I got to the piano and took a guess at the key, and hoped for the best. I spotted another singer who is like me (from times past and should know ancient hymns) and invited him to join me, especially since I wasn’t sure of the words. If I was going to fall flat on my face, better to have someone else go down with me. So off I launched.

 ‘On a Hill, far away, stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame, and I love that old cross, where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain...’

 I’m pleased to say we got the right key, there were no awkward and difficult elusive chords, and the computer operator found the words and threw them up on screen. Crisis averted. Job done.

After the service my husband came to me aside, and he was really quite cross. He said to me: “Why did you have to make such a fuss about playing that hymn?”

I was a little annoyed myself, as I thought I’d done a sterling job under pressure and said so, pointing out how many obstacles I’d had to overcome without practise or music to guide me.

“But you’d just played it earlier in the service!” he said, prepared to continue the argument.

“No!” I replied. “That was ‘When I survey the Wondrous Cross’. It’s a completely different hymn!”

“That’s what I wanted you to play,” he said.

“Well that’s not what you said!”

 “Yes it was. I said, ‘When I survey the Wondrous Cross’.”

“No, you said, ‘The Old Rugged Cross’!”

 “Did I?”

 “Yes, you did!”

I waited for the humble apology, which might or might not have emerged, but instead something miraculous happened.

 A lady by the name of Julie came up to my husband, beaming and full of enthusiasm.

“That is my favourite hymn”, she said. “I was so cross with my family this morning, because they were so slow getting ready for church, we missed the singing at the beginning, and I said to them, if I miss out singing ‘The Old Rugged Cross’, I’ll be very upset. I’m so glad you kept it until the end.”

 

Several months later, Julie passed away after battling a long illness.

 That Easter morning eight months earlier was the first time I had met Julie as she was new to the church. In the following eight months I got to know her really well as she travelled the journey of battling cancer. 

In that time I never saw her that she didn’t say how blessed she was because God had done something for her. Even when she was weak and really quite sick, you never really knew it, because her whole outlook was God is in this moment. He is blessing me all the time. 

That Good Friday morning there had been no plan to sing ‘The Old Rugged Cross’. No preparation, no thought of it, and my husband didn’t even mean for it to be sung. But God did. He knew it would be Julie’s last Easter Friday, and that hymn was special to her.

I know this is a bit long, but I just wanted to honour God, because when I spoke to Julie four days before she died, she said to me, all I want to do is see God glorified.

 Even when things aren’t supposed to happen sometimes, they do, but if Julie was commentating on it, she would very definitely have said: ‘It was God.’

 

If you have something in your heart inspired by a real-life event, check out Stories of Life and perhaps you’d like to enter the writing competition for next year.

I'd like to wish all the CWD readers a blessed Christmas season, and hope that as you spend thoughtful time you may recall that story that needs to be shared. 

Click here for more information on Stories of Life

 

 

Meredith Resce

Author of the new Luella Linley - License to Meddle series and The Heart of Green Valley series