Sixty-three years ago my sweet husband, Greg, was born, and I was privileged to be married to him for almost 37 years before he died. Today, a few precious words he wrote just before he died touched my heart and brought healing and hope.
I started completely over plotting my 2nd novel tonight. The “muse” was there–the ideas coming faster than I could write. Actually, what some writers call the “muse,” I call the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. As I put myself in the main character’s shoes and allowed her to journal, I realized how much of what God showed me years ago in my marriage, He wants to show this character. And, ultimately, my readers. As with any relationship, Greg and I had good times and rough spots. God so graciously introduced us to a Spirit-filled Christian counselor who taught us to communicate more effectively, set loving boundaries, and learn to respect and honor each other as unto the Lord. With God’s help, our marriage went from about a seven to WAY over the ten we both wanted! Praise God!
Anyway, as I finished working tonight, I thought about this being Greg’s birthday and how much of what we shared will indiscreetly go into this book. Totally different circumstances, but the same lessons to be learned.
That being said, the memory of what we shared brought great regret to my heart as it has ever since Greg died. Regret that we didn’t learn what we learned years earlier. Regret for not trying to understand my husband better. For not totally knowing his heart until the 2nd half of our marriage. I don’t feel guilty, but I do feel incredibly sad. I’ve prayed and asked God to help me give this sadness up, but didn’t know how to do it.
Tonight I was finally able to release that sorrow when I realized that what we experienced together will go on to bless others and bring them joy in the Lord. As I did, peace filled my heart, and I remembered something Greg wrote in a letter he left me when he died. “Don’t look back. This is just life on earth. We will be together throughout all eternity.”
I will write this book with that in mind. This will be my birthday gift for Greg. My love for him will go forward as a gift to others. That would make Greg SO happy. And me, too.
Why I Write . . .
Barbara E. Haley
4/24/2023
A New Morning Awaits!
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A Peek at my Biz 3 Book
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When Bad Things Happen to Good People ...
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"Love is ..."
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Read Between the Lines
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Just because . . .
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When Bad Things Happen to Good People
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1/23/2023
Ever Been Visited by a VIP?
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God-Moments
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6/8/2019
When Life Happens!
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1/23/2019
Great Deals for Christmas!
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11/24/2018
Guardian Angel to the Rescue
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9/16/2018
Biz On the Go Now Available!
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6/10/2018
Nothing Compares!
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4/5/2018
STUCK in your Comfort Zone?
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2/5/2018
There's a Song in the Air!
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12/15/2017
When you think you're finished, and then . . . God!
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8/6/2017
Those Branches HAD to Go!
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5/30/2017
Eight Years Later ...
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1/9/2017
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
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12/16/2016
O Holy Night
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12/15/2016
A White Christmas
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12/13/2016
We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
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12/12/2016
We Three Kings
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12/11/2016
Birthday of a King
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12/10/2016
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
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12/9/2016
Hallelujah Chorus
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12/8/2016
Joy to the World
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12/7/2016
Do You Hear What I Hear?
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O Little Town of Bethlehem
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I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
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12/4/2016
Angels From the Realms of Glory
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12/3/2016
Silent Night
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12/2/2016
A Closer Look at the Christmas Carols
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When Prayers Take a LONG TIME to be Answered
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Anybody Up for a Bit of Transformation?
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9/24/2016
Diving in the Wind
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8/16/2016
Because I Can!
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7/12/2016
Baby Steps
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6/30/2016
No Help From Me
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6/12/2016
Day One: Do I Need a Blindfold, Lord?
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6/10/2016
Depression? I'd Kick It if I Could
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6/9/2016
God Has Our Backs
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The Winner Is...
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11/30/2015
Sample sections from A Second Wind
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11/28/2015
Has Anyone Heard From the Lord Lately?
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The Emotional Strain of Chronic Pain
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9/8/2015
Why does God test us?
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1/29/2015
Inciting Incident-What?s That?
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9/1/2014
Act One?the Ordinary World
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Tell Me the Story of Jesus
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Story or Plot?
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True Light
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4/15/2014
Words of Love Last Forever!
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7/19/2012
Alzheimer's-Not the Only Way to Let Go
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7/9/2012
The Hunger Games
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6/26/2012
What Would God Say?
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Keeping It All Inside
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The Rest of the Story
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Trust and Obey
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Hidden Dirt
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5/22/2012
One Layer at a Time
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5/17/2012
Welcome!
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5/15/2012