Omega Writers Conference 2026 - It's a Wrap!

 

What do you get when you add 125 Christian authors, tons of helpful input from Australian and overseas presenters, a beautiful location, lots of prayer, unity in the Spirit, and all underpinned by God's leading and care? Our biennial Omega Christian Writers conference of course. This year's event was held at the Nunyara Conference Centre, situated on a hill overlooking Adelaide. The theme was 'Building Blocks and Pathways', and there was something for everyone, no matter where they were in their writing journey.

Australian Presenters

Publisher and author Rochelle Stephens led a pre-conference workshop on children's writing, which was greatly appreciated. Our two friendly lecturers from Tabor College's Creative Writing Department, Dr James Cooper and Dr Pete Court, ran beginner's workshops on fiction and nonfiction respectively. Other workshops focused on writing for children and young adults (Rochelle Stephens), bringing history to life (Katrina Roe), editing (Nola Passmore), and sci-fi/fantasy (Adam Collings). One of our past presidents, Penny Reeve, gave an inspiring talk on unexpected turns in the writing journey and the goodness of God. Quite a variety!

Overseas Presenters

We were also blessed with two overseas speakers. Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith is an American physician, speaker and writer with a passion for helping people to live out their God-given destiny. She gave keynotes on rhythms of grace and the importance of seven different types of rest in the writer's life. She also gave a couple of talks on marketing based on Biblical principles. We really appreciated her warmth, expertise and quirky humour. If you would like to hear a sample of Dr Saundra's teaching, click here for a short YouTube clip. You can access many more videos, including interviews, on YouTube.

British comedian, preacher and evangelist Mark Ritchie gave an inspiring talk on how God led him to pursue humour as a way of presenting the gospel in surprising places. Many have become Christians through his comedy gigs. He also gave a workshop on how to use humour in your writing. If you'd like to hear more of his heart for sharing the gospel through comedy, click here for a short YouTube interview.

Prayer and Worship

We had some beautiful times of worship, led by Steph Penny and Jenni Mills. Our Sunday morning service was particularly moving, as Chaplain Raewyn Elsegood shared from the heart about following God even when the music of your life changes. Chaplaincy was a key part of the weekend, with several chaplains helping out at the conference, including Tamika Spaulding and Karen Roper. A prayer room was available for people to talk to someone or to pray or meditate alone.

Genre Groups, Chapter Groups and the Hub

Times were also set aside for genre groups to get together to chat about their writing and build connections. While everyone benefitted from these, they were especially useful for the many new people who were attending their first Omega conference. We can never underestimate the value of the connections formed at events like this. Thank you to all of the genre group facilitators.

I think all of the Omega chapters were also represented, including a huge contingent from Melbourne shown in this photo.

As part of the HUB, delegates could also make appointments with industry experts, including publishers, editors, agents and other mentors. Thank you to the coordinators, those who gave appointments and those who were willing to 'put themselves out there' and talk to someone about their writing projects.

CALEB Awards

This year's CALEB Awards for published books was also incorporated into the program. CALEB is an acronym that stands for 'Christian Authors Lifting Each Other's Books', and there were certainly a lot of great books nominated. And the winners are:

• Adult fiction - 'El Roi' by Jo Wanmer
• Memoir and biography - 'Encounter: A Journey into Chaos, Culture and Compassion' by Ian Reilly
• Non-fiction - 'Epiphany and the Shopping Trolley' by Catherine Bradshaw
• Young adult fiction - 'Last Chance Joey' by Meredith Resce
• Children's fiction - 'Renegade Time Officer' by Bethany Loveridge
• Picture book - 'Moxie vs Cat Memes' by Andrew Dittmer
• The Mary Hawkins Award for Christian Writing - 'Wow God! Thank You, Sorry, Please: A Kid's Guide to Prayer' by Simon Camilleri

Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees. Those who were able to attend the conference are shown in the photo below. Also a big shoutout to Tamara Wenham and her team for the huge job of coordinating the awards and to all of the judges in the various categories. It was a stellar effort.

Also, thank you to:

• Our brilliant conference coordinator and past president Meredith Resce.
• Our Omega president Carolyn Tonkin, Secretary Karen Roper, Treasurer Amanda Deed and all of the committee members.
• Our volunteer book fairies.
• The folk at the Nunyara Conference Centre, including the caterers.
• Everyone who came along and made it such a great event. 

One of the dangers in writing a blog like this is that I may have inadvertently left someone out who should have been thanked. So please let me know and I can include them, or please add a note in the comments.  

Apart from the scheduled conference activities, there was also some great camaraderie, networking, inspiration, firing of creative juices and a general feeling that we are all part of something bigger. I look forward to seeing the fruit of what God has birthed in each person during the conference.

And of course the biggest thanks goes to our precious Father from whom all creativity flows. May we use our creative gifts for His glory.

Where Next?

In 2027, we will have an online retreat. These have been  extremely valuable in the past, so it's well worth attending.

It was also announced that the 2028 face-to-face conference will be held in Queensland.

More details about both of these events will be announced on the Omega website in due course, so stay tuned!

If you attended the conference, what is something that God showed you over the weekend and what were the highlights for you? We'd love to hear your comments.

Author Bio

Nola Lorraine (aka Nola Passmore) loves weaving words of faith, courage and hope. She has had more than 150 short pieces published, including fiction, memoir, devotions, and poetry. Her inspirational novel Scattered was a finalist in the 2021 CALEB Awards. Her devotional book Comfort Zone was published in 2025, with No Standing Zone published in 2026. She also loves helping other authors through The Write Flourish—a freelance writing and editing business she and her husband Tim have run since 2013.

Photo Credits

Thank you to the following people for your photos: Anusha Atukorala (group inside chapel, the Nunyara grounds, and prayer pebbles); Carolyn Tonkin (Penny Reeves speaking); Barbara McKay (Nola Passmore speaking; and James Cooper, Pete Court and Barbara); Tamika Spaulding (Mark Ritchie speaking); Louise Tonna (Melbourne chapter group); Alison Lloyd (CALEB winners and nominees); and Nola Passmore (photo of Dr Shauna and Nola).

Tell Me More!

 by Anusha Atukorala

One day, not long ago, I turned to a friend for prayer. What I needed was someone who listened, asked a question or two to know more and then prayed for me. My friend, let’s call her Simone – did do what I asked for and I was grateful. But … she talked. Too much! The instant I shared my prayer request and before I could finish, she began sharing similar situations in her life – which in truth, had little bearing in my own. She meant well and I did appreciate her praying for me. However … she didn’t understand my need - she made invalid assumptions without first listening.

Simone didn’t understand what caring for a friend means in the fullest sense. Which is … talking less and listening more. Talking less and praying more. She in fact taught me what I needed to do, if a friend approached me for prayer. Not to talk more or make assumptions. But simply to listen. And then to say ‘Tell me more!’ Isn’t that what friendship and caring are about? Seeking to learn more about another in order to support them well! Psychologists talk of curiosity being important in a relationship. I prefer the word 'interest’ rather than curiosity. When someone is interested in another’s feelings or life or experiences, it helps. Tell me more! Three words that can make a difference.

 

A good listener, draws out another by an attitude of ‘Tell me more’ even if she doesn’t mouth the words. And of course … a good writer answers the question ‘Tell me more’ that’s asked by an interested reader. There are books and books. Some books I can leave aside. Others I can’t put down. Tell me more, I cry in my reader’s heart as I turn the pages swiftly and read more. I’m eager to get to the end of the story but also don’t want to reach the finale, because I am enjoying it too much! Have you been there? It’s a great feeling is it not, (despite it being a conundrum)!

 

Writing a best seller that draws readers wanting more, is a writer’s dream come true. These days, sadly I can’t get to the library as often as I used to (it used to be once a week – now, it’s more like once in a few months due to my ill health), so I check the writers whose books I’ve greatly enjoyed and put more of theirs on hold – then ask my beloved to pick them up for me on his weekly trip to the library. My unspoken question then towards each of these gifted writers is ‘Tell me more’! If one of their novels was an exceptional read, their other books too are sure to be enjoyable.

You know, it blesses me deeply when a friend says ‘So tell me more. What is it like to live with chronic fatigue?’ Or ‘It must be so difficult for you, not having the energy to do basic tasks. Tell me about it?’ But few people realise that it’s a way of helping me and others with chronic illness. I know that it’s not that they don’t care, it’s just that they have not experienced the challenges and don’t realise the power of being heard. People are often fixers – they want to fix broken things. But when broken things cannot be fixed ... listening is a way of fixing what cannot be fixed.

Tell me more! Three little words that can bless another. My beloved blesses me often by letting me vent and complain when I have unbearable pain or debilitating fatigue. After I share – even just one sentence, I feel so much better. And then I can move ahead to be more positive.

 

In our experiences with others as believers, we can bless them through our attitude ‘Tell me more.’ Do we instead formulate responses in our head about what we’d say in response, even before our friend stops speaking? I’m sure we are all guilty of it. And what of our walk as believers? ‘Dear Jesus, do tell me more’,  should be our heart’s spiritual posture every day. Last year, when my church Bible study group studied ‘Learning to discern God’s Voice’ – a powerful study by Priscilla Shirer, we were asked to list a few questions of what we hoped to hear from God.

 

A question I asked God that He answered most fully was: Who are you God? He responded to it in amazing ways, not once, not twice but many many times over. I learnt so much about Him that I hadn’t known before. It made me realise that God wants us to seek Him and know Him better and better. So here’s a challenge for all us. Let’s learn to write so well, that readers will say ‘I want more. Tell me more’. Let’s learn to listen to others with a stance of ‘Tell me more about your joys and sorrows. I am listening’. And in our spiritual lives, let’s have an attitude of seeking and finding God in full measure.

 

And now dear listener, dear reader, dear writer, dear friend. 

Here is my question today: 

“Tell me more about yourself. What are your own hopes and dreams? Tell me more! I am listening.”

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2^nd book ‘Dancing in the Rain’ brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, ‘Sharing the Journey’ is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey'.

 

Do drop in on her two websites to say G’day! She’d love to connect with you.

Dancing in the Rain 

Light in the Darkness

Perfection Not Required!

by Anusha Atukorala 

 

Ever since we came to this beautiful Land Down Under, 27 years ago, our local library has enjoyed plenty of custom from all three of my family, and especially from little old me! I’d often emerge after a browsing session, carrying over 40 books. And how wonderful to know that that number was still less than half the number of items anyone is allowed to check out at a given time! Amazing! Thank You God for libraries!

A few months ago, I discovered that I had plenty of unread books in my own personal collection. The fact is, I always gave priority to my library books, since they needed to be returned by a certain date and therefore, I never seemed to get to my own. I had to do something about those unread books! Before my two cataract operations, the first in mid-January this year, I plunged into a frenzied de-cluttering and re-arranging spree of all of my books in our bedroom, and placed all my unread books (mostly gifts) on one shelf for easy access. Brilliant!

After my first surgery, I was delighted that I could SEE clearly again! What a difference good eyesight made! The titles of the books on my bookshelves were not a vague blur as they used to be … I could even read the titles while lounging on my bed, a fair distance away. I stopped borrowing too many from the library so I could concentrate on those close at hand. One of the first books that I read was Christian fiction – a long novel it was. I had no idea if I’d found this book at a second hand bookshop or if someone had gifted it to me. I mostly read secular fiction or Christian nonfiction, so this was unusual.

At first, the story seemed to be a basic plot. There was also quite a bit of head hopping … hmm … how good would this story be? And was it worth my time? As I kept reading, I decided it was. I even began to find great enjoyment in the story. Its main character Sophie became very real to me. She had a beautiful faith and a gentle heart that impacted others around her for good. Although the Christian content was perhaps too explicit for my liking, it still continued to capture my interest. I stayed with it for all 425 pages of it, finally loving the story and especially the happy ending.

And what did I learn from reading this story? That as Christian writers, perfection doesn’t have to be our aim. Yes, God calls us to excellence, and we need to do the best we can. Yes, we must take our writing seriously. We must work hard to polish and cultivate our craft. But … perfection? Now that is another matter! Perfection rarely exists on this side of eternity. 

The thing is, that if we don’t get to publish our writing because we can’t stop editing it … no one will ever read our work. If we compare our writing with other gifted writers, we might give up in frustration, hanging our heads in shame down like a child who’s been sent to her room as punishment for bad behaviour. We each have a calling from our Almighty God. Psalm 139 verse 16 says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16 Which means that He who created us, planned that you and I would write for His glory, well before the beginning of time! Wow!

So here’s my encouragement to you today, dear friend. If you feel less than enough as a Christian writer, think again. If He called you to write (and you know He has), your best is good enough. Your efforts to write as well as you can for Jesus is enough. You can communicate the love of God, even without a perfect story. You can communicate the heart of God, simply by following the whispers of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we need to aim at excellence in our craft and with all of our being. But self-condemnation and comparison with other writers is not required.

What IS required is a humble trusting heart, a pen yielded to the God who writes our own stories and a desire to be used of Him. So ... what are you waiting for? Keep sharing the stories He laid on your heart. In the bigger scheme of things, reviews or the lack of them, the number of books you sell or don’t sell isn’t what is most important. Reaching hearts, one at a time, is a goal we can all aim at. Doing what you can, when you can, how you can, with our faithful God’s help, is all that’s needed. So keep those stories coming, dear friend and let your voice be heard. God’s created you to bless and build His world. It won’t be complete without you and your awe-inspiring stories! Keep writing!

P.S. As for our spiritual lives, now that is a tad different! Jesus said to his disciples, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48  Like our books, our lives too will not reflect His perfection, this side of heaven, but our goal is to become like Jesus. So let's work long and hard on our books, and let's work even harder to become more like our Creator, the Author of each of our stories, JESUS!

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2^nd book ‘Dancing in the Rain’ brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, ‘Sharing the Journey’ is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey'.

 

Do drop in on her two websites to say G’day! She’d love to connect with you.

Dancing in the Rain 

Light in the Darkness

 

Running Your Own Writing Race

On a summer's day in 1954, the air was palpable in the Empire Stadium in Vancouver. British athlete Roger Bannister and Australian athlete John Landy were about to compete in the one-mile race at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. They were the only two men to have broken the four-minute mile and this was their first head-to-head showdown. 

Landy was leading as they came into the final straight. He looked left to check the position of his opponent, and Bannister ran past on his right at that very moment. Bannister went on to win, with Landy close behind. Would Landy have won if he'd kept his eyes on the finish line instead of trying to look at what his opponent was doing? We'll never know. But Landy's sideways glance has become an iconic image. There is even a statue in Vancouver that captures that moment.

I'm not a runner, but I've watched enough athletics to know that middle-distance races are as much about tactics as speed. It's not a bad thing to be aware of your competitor's position, but you also need to run your own race and keep your eyes on the goal.

So what does this have to do with writing? 

I Am Not Kate Morton

When I started writing my novel many moons ago, I wanted to 'do a Kate Morton'. If you haven't come across her writing, she's a wildly successful Australian author known for her sweeping parallel narratives. Namely, books that weave different stories together within the same overall story arc. In Kate's case, this usually means having at least one story from the past and one story from the present, that move along in parallel and then intersect in a way that eventually brings the whole story together.

I especially loved her books The Forgotten Garden and The Distant Hours. To me, that was the pinnacle of writing and I wanted to do the same. I had the chance to meet her when I went to an author lunch and talk with my friend Janet Camilleri (fab founder and director of Front Page SEO). Not long afterwards, I enrolled in an intensive weekend novel writing workshop at the Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) to kickstart my fabulous career. When the instructor did the usual introductory whizz around the table to see what everyone was writing, I even said that I wanted to write a parallel narrative like Kate Morton. 

I persisted with that novel for about three years until I did QWC's 'Year of the Edit' course in which we had to critically evaluate our works in progress. After a big helping of denial, I finally realised that the novel I was writing just wasn't working. I was trying to fit the pieces together, but the links between the past and present story were becoming contrived. The past story had become the dominant one and I needed to pull that out and make that the story. That meant a lot more cutting, plotting, editing, writing and rewriting; but I think the finished product was worth it. My debut novel Scattered was an historical novel rather than a parallel narrative, but that was the best way to tell the story. 

I am not Kate Morton and that's okay. 

The Comparison Trap

There are a lot of wonderful writers out there and we can take inspiration from them, be encouraged by them and learn from them. But if we start comparing our writing journey to theirs and wishing we were like them, we can fall into a trap.

Discouragement

We might feel discouraged because our writing seems to pale into insignificance beside theirs. We can't imagine ever writing as well as they do; or achieving the sales, accolades or followers they do. 'Woe is me. I may as well give up this fanciful dream of a writing life. What made me think I could write a book anyway?'

Envy or Sour Grapes

Comparison can also turn to envy or good old sour grapes. 

'How come his debut novel is selling like hotcakes, while the sales of mine are still limping along after several years?' 

'My book is just as good as hers, but I wasn't shortlisted for the prize. That stinks.'

'If he's publishing that many books a year, they must be shoddy quality, unlike my stellar work. Another few years should do it!'

Envy is never a good look, especially for Christians who are supposed to be cheering each other on.

Taking our Eyes off the Goal

If we're too busy watching what another writer is or isn't doing, we're not focusing on our own writing journey and what God wants us to be doing.

Running Our Own Race

God has given each of us different talents and spiritual gifts. We have different passions and personalities. We have different backgrounds and life experiences. We are all at different stages of life and have different responsibilities. And here's the clincher. He wants each of us to serve Him in ways that only we can. He has called us to run our own race, not someone else's.

So what has God called me to write? I was working on the sequel to Scattered when God sent me on a detour to write a devotional book, which was published this year: Comfort Zone: A 40-Day Devotional on the Father of All Comfort. It turned out to be a big detour because I'm currently writing the second book in that series. I'm also putting together an anthology of short stories and poems on the theme of social justice, as well as a separate poetry collection. God has also been prompting me to do more with all of the songs I've written over the years, and the sequel to Scattered is still in the mix somewhere. However, there has been no mention of me 'doing a Kate Morton'. Funny, that!

The following verses, written to first-century believers, could just as well apply to us as Christian writers.


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV)

What race has God called you to run? I'd love to hear your stories and cheer you on.

Sources

Bible verses taken from the New International Version of the Bible that appears on Bible Hub. Featured photo of runner on track by Roshan Rajopadhyaya on Pixabay. Photo of Bannister/Landy statue by Paul Joseph from Wikimedia Commons and used under their licence. Photo of Janet, Kate and Nola from the author's collection. Author pic by Wayne Logan from Encouraging Photos.

Author Bio

Nola Lorraine has a passion for faith and social justice issues, and loves weaving words that inspire others with courage and hope. Her books include the inspirational historical novel Scattered, the Christian devotional book Comfort Zone, and the Christian charity anthology Glimpses of Light which she co-edited with Jeanette O’Hagan. She also has more than 150 short publications, including fiction, poetry, devotions, true stories, magazine articles and academic papers. She loves sharing the words and stories God impresses on her heart, and prays that He will use them to bless others. 

Nola would love to connect with you on her website: www.nolalorraine.com.au

Even More Important than Your Writing ...

 by Anusha Atukorala

I will never forget that season – a season of deep grief it was, when much that I cared about was prised out of my hands. It started with God's leading to leave my much loved church family of 15 years and a ministry I’d enjoyed for more than 10. Life had thrown a few curveballs and I was bewildered. Sad. Lost! Why did God give me a task but whisk it away from me, an all too brief 8 months later? Why did God give me such a purpose and passion to serve others – if He didn’t want me to continue? But … we know the truth, don’t we? Scripture tells us that God’s ways are not our ways. His ways are always better of course, but it takes hindsight to realise it!

 

It was a season of deep pain and sadness. Questions filled my mind ... large grey clouds pregnant with rain, filling up every inch of sky before a downpour. I’d loved serving those in our community who came to us for financial and other kinds of help through this arm of the church I’d been involved in. I loved praying with non-believers – I don’t think anyone refused my offer of prayer – even though most had no personal knowledge of God. It was wonderful – being able to be part of their journey, to bring light and hope into lives that were hurting. It had been a God-breathed, God blessed ministry.

During the months that followed, I questioned my worth. If what I did was taken away from me, what did that say about me? I was a nobody! Useless! Yes, I was a Christian writer and I loved writing for Jesus. But … I was more than a writer – I was also called to bless and help others. I knew it was what God had created me to do. One day, as I read the words of a well-known author and speaker, light came flooding in, dispelling the darkness I'd been wrapped in.

 

“Your significance doesn’t come from what you do. 

It comes from being a child of God.” Joyce Meyer

Her words created an arrow of joy that pierced deep into my spirit, renewing my heart and mind. It was true. I was a child of God. The peace that washed over me then, was not just a step towards healing, but like running up a whole staircase towards it. God's truth took root in my heart where it now abides deep within, giving me the sure knowledge of being loved and of having worth, apart from anything I do. 

And so … during the past 8 ½ years, when my writing moved from centre-stage to the periphery due to ill health, this same knowledge held me – I had worth, not because I was a Christian writer, but because of Whose I am! It’s been my toughest season … but I got through it, because God said I was enough. Thank You Jesus! How grateful I am!

 

Today, I’d love to cheer on anyone who needs a word of hope and encouragement. Perhaps you have not achieved your writing goals in the recent past? Perhaps you have been fighting writer’s block? Perhaps your book sales have been dwindling of late, as mine have been? Perhaps you have had little time or energy to spend on your writing pursuits, despite yearning to do so – that’s me! 

Perhaps your editor’s comments on your latest manuscript made you wonder if you would ever make it as a writer? Whatever the source of discouragement, here’s a thought. While our writing craft is important, perhaps this season is a gift - a path to finding untold riches of the spirit?

What’s more important than your writing? Well, YOU, for instance. You matter. Did you know that? You are a child of God. Beloved. No matter what successes or failures you’ve encountered in your calling, you matter even more than that to Him. You really do. El Roi, the God who sees, is looking at you this moment, His Daddy eyes resting on His beloved child. He is proud of you just because you belong to Him. He loves you with an everlasting love. You are safe in Him!

What’s more important than your writing? Your walk in perseverance qualifies for that space too. No one but you know the challenges you’ve faced, the tough times you have overcome. No one but God knows how you have kept clinging to Him, no matter what. I know He is proud of you for keeping on, despite the setbacks. Well done, my friend! Well done!

 

What’s more important than your writing? Obedience to God! God has a way of asking us to give up what we prize most, just like He tested Abraham. He tests our hearts by requesting that we step away from our ambitions. He removes what we believed was our goal and we stumble headlong into a perplexing season. At times, obedience to Him makes no sense at all. But we know that even more important than writing a best seller, to be obedient to what He calls you and me to do today – and that’s what matters most of all!

 

What’s more important than your writing? The Father’s heart of love! That’s what! He doesn’t want you to lose out on the riches of His Spirit that He pours out on those who yield to Him. So sometimes, when it seems we have been failures – God knows that we have succeeded, because we have done what He has asked– no matter how small and insignificant it seems in the world’s eyes. 

Today I say Well done, dear one. God sees you. He knows you. He is pleased with you. I see the twinkle in our Father’s eyes as He cheers you on, His precious child. So be encouraged. Be blessed. Keep doing all He calls you to – we are in this together. You are not alone. You matter. 

And YOU shine!

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her second book Dancing in the Rain brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her third book, Sharing the Journey is a sequel to Enjoying the Journey.

 

Do drop in on her two websites to say G’day! She’d love to connect with you.

Dancing in the Rain

Light in the Darkness

 

 

 

                                                        

 

 

 

Enjoying Hot Water!

by Anusha Atukorala 

April was an interesting month. I’d recently been diagnosed with a heart condition that could be serious, so I was sent off for a battery of tests – expensive ones at that – a halter monitor for 2 weeks, a CAT scan, an MRI and more. What fun! Not! I was dismayed at the thought of being forced to spend two days with a zero caffeine intake! My energy levels were about one tenth of what I needed most days … and that was if I was fortunate. Other days, it went into minus figures! Help! I need my caffeine!

 

On the day of my MRI, I found a perfect drink to replace my morning cuppa. No! It wasn’t a herbal tea. I simply filled a mug with piping hot water and sipped it slowly, as if I was drinking heaven’s nectar! Believe it or not, I enjoyed it. I really did. It was no replacement for caffeine of course, but I loved my delicious zero calorie drink. And, you will be happy to note that I got through those two caffeine free days pretty well … snoozing comfortably through my MRI, since I was so sleepy. It was all good.

 

I recalled then that years ago, a friend had been appalled that then too, I had sipped hot water on occasion. I did it only because my friend drank numerous mugs of coffee when she visited – but my temperamental tum could only tolerate one cup of tea a day. So I sipped hot water just to keep her company. Iris (not her real name) had had a bad experience with a family member who did the same. This woman had been nasty. My dear friend was triggered every time I sipped hot water – perhaps she thought I must be then, according to the hot water theory, as evil as her sister in law? Oh oh!

 

Sometimes I am in Hot Water! Literally so, as I stand under a steaming hot shower and relax under its deluge – but … also … figuratively! Listen to James 1:2-4 on the subject. 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

That kind of Hot water? Oh no!

I’ve in fact just been through a challenging season in ultra-hot water … where debilitating fatigue and debilitating pain impacted my creativity big time. I love composing worship songs, which helps get me into flow, and therefore is good for my well-being, but I haven’t had the energy to sit at the piano. 

My Season of adversity was hard. Way too hard! However … I have also learnt so much in the process and my character was immersed in a learning curve, like a tea bag in hot water leaking all that delicious caffeine out, due to the 100 degree heat. During my tough season, God’s presence and reality has become more real and glorious – a steady beacon of hope, joy and beauty – Jesus was my Lighthouse who shone bright on choppy seas.

 

Recently, I discovered the benefits of my Hot Water Season, after my pastor asked me to share my testimony at church of 50 years with Jesus. I loved sharing, but I had a little problem. A good one! I’d effortlessly filled 16 pages of what I wanted to share (and could have written so much more). However, the message had to be only 20 minutes long, so reluctantly, I pruned it down to 6 1/2 pages! (Clever me! Perhaps I am a good editor?) I found then, that my season of doing only a little writing was a time of research! I’ve journaled a great deal these eight years, so my computer is bulging with material. 

 

Perhaps all this hot water I’ve been dunked in, will lead to the birth of my next book? And the one after? And more? Hope springs eternal – I pray fervently that 2025 is my year of comeback with a return of good health. Today, in faith I praise my God who does all things well – and whose ways are perfect, knowing that good will come out of all the enemy threw my way. I thank God that He uses everything. yes, everything, for good as we trust in Jesus and seek His face.

 

The hotness of the water I sipped was perfect for my tummy, because warmth helps digestion. Water is good for me because hydration is vital for my wellbeing. Likewise – the hotness of my past season only heightened the precious love of Jesus and brought Him closer to me. The water I was dunked in, cleansed me from the inside out, to create a better me! It’s therefore been a wonderful season, really! And now my heart is bursting to share more of God. This little writer may just be ready to hatch from her cocoon, and to fly high, so she could sprinkle more of God’s beauty, truth and goodness around her!  

What about you, dear friend? How much hot water have you been seeped in, of late? Not too much, I hope? I trust your present season is bright and beautiful and that your creativity continues to fill our world. Let’s do what we can, knowing that with God, all things are possible and that He turns our mourning into dancing, our ashes into beauty and tough times into God-exalting stories that will enrich our world!

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. 

The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, 

as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book 'Enjoying the Journey' contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her next book ‘Dancing in the Rain’ brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons and is dear to her heart. Her third book, ‘Sharing the Journey’ is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey'.

 

Do drop in on her two websites to say G’day! She’d love to connect with you.

Dancing in the Rain 

Light in the Darkness