Jerry and Ann
I was one of those kids who wanted to be a writer as soon as I started spelling out words. I love writing stories and I’ve been doing it a long time. Not always successfully. I’ve had plenty of walks through rejection valley. But in 2004 the Lord opened up a new door for me into Christian publishing. What a gift! That gave my writing new energy, and I was ready to share about my characters who came to life in my imagination to live out their fictional stories.
I had never considered writing nonfiction. I not only didn’t want to, I didn’t think I could. That’s what made writing Jerry’s story a challenge. I did feel it was another door the Lord had opened for me. At the same time, I was hesitant to even ask Jerry about writing his story because I didn’t know if I could. I should have been ready to trust the Lord’s nudging. If the Lord opens door, He has a way of making sure you have whatever you need to walk through them.
Anyway, I did ask about writing his story and Jerry agreed to an interview. At the time I didn’t know a tenth of his story, but I took my little recorder and sat with him around his kitchen table to listen to his story. Jerry started at the beginning when he was a child and went through his high school years. Then came the difficult Army year that sent him into a spiral of addiction that eventually landed him in prison. He told me about those hard years and how during that time, he finally truly found the Lord. Before that he had leaned on his parents’ faith without having his own personal faith. Bad things happened all along the way, but someone was always there to help Jerry and guide him back to a better path. Jerry and I decided to think of them as earth angels. Not actually angels but simply people the Lord inspired to help Jerry.
That recording of Jerry’s verbal telling of his story helped me know what happened in his life. However, the one who truly helped me write the story was Jerry’s mother who had died years before. When I went to interview Jerry, he brought out a plastic storage box containing every letter he’d written home while he was in prison. His mother had saved them all. I took that box home and as I read the letters, I stepped back in time and into Jerry’s thoughts during the time of the story. The young troubled Jerry sprang to life in my imagination. I walked with him on that cold, snowy day when he went AWOL and hitchhiked home. I felt his fear and sorrow as he tried to sleep in those prison bunks. I knew his regret when Christmas came and he was locked away in prison away from his family. All because of those letters.
I used portions of Jerry’s letters throughout the book. I included his words just as he’d written them. I think that’s what makes the story work. That along with Jerry’s willingness to tell what happened without trying to gloss over the parts that he might wish different. I was also able to talk to Jerry’s father and hear some of the story from him too. By the time I sat down at my keyboard to actually write the story, my fingers could barely keep up with the words that spilled out.
While I feel the Lord helps me write all my stories, that feeling was extra strong as I wrote Angels at the Crossroads. I did so want to do justice to the story. Come back Wednesday and I’ll share more about what happened as we worked to find a publisher.
Book Giveaway – Angels at the Crossroads
Meanwhile, you can enter a giveaway to win Jerry’s book by leaving a comment on my blog post here. I do appreciate the many comments I got on the last post. It was great hearing from some of Jerry’s friends and wonderful to know that a few of you have already read the book and remember being touched and inspired by the story. Even if you did comment on last Wednesday’s post, you can comment again to get another entry. If you didn’t comment yet to get your name in my drawing hat, you still have time. Deadline for entries is midnight EST February 1, 2019. You have to be eighteen or older to enter. I’ll pick two winners by random drawing from the entries I receive. Contest for a print copy is open to United States and Canada. If an international reader wins, I can send an e-book.
Have you ever been blessed and encouraged by someone’s help during a difficult time in your life? Or were you the one the Lord used to help someone else through a rough patch?
Comments 40
Ann, what a wonderful undertaking to tell someone’s true-life story! Thank you! I can answer both of your questions. When I reached the end of my self – living my life as I wanted, in a lot of anger and pain and self-destruction, and ignoring God – God sent a woman friend into my life in the workplace at a time I needed a friend, who invited me to Bible Study and church, and who mentored me back into a relationship with God. That was in 1991. I now live fully committed to serving Him. How and where I serve Him will surprise many. I am in prison ministry. I hear a lot of stories from inmates who have been addicted, have lost their children, who live in what they think is hopelessness, who feel they are unloved and unlovable, and unforgivable. We tell them our stories. We offer them God’s love, God’s forgiveness, and God’s hope. What a rewarding experience to see change take place in those lives where life is hard and still a struggle. Thank you for telling Jerry’s story. I look forward to reading it.
Author
What a wonderful testimony, Maria! And how lovely that you turned your life around, found new hope for living, and then chose to share that hope with others who need to know God loves them. Sometimes that’s a hard thing for any of us, no matter our situations, to believe. That God, the almighty God, could love us when we know how much we lack being good enough for that love. But instead we have to lean on God’s grace and mercy. Thank you for doing a prison ministry to share that truth about the love of God. Jerry felt unloved and unforgiveable too before he found Jesus.
I have been blessed many times. The time that comes to mind the most is when my nephew was born. He lived only 33 days my work gave me paid time off, and people were always bringing us food and making sure that we were financially okay so that we could be with him. We had to travel to Louisville to be with him. I was 6 months pregnant when he was born. I hope that I have been a blessing to people in my life.
Author
What a very sad time for all of you, April. I’m so sorry. But at times like that, you can be blessed by those who want to help and try to make things easier for you. Difficult times can also be times when the Lord blesses us in other way. And later from those experiences we can share the blessings forward as I’m sure you do.
When I was going through breast cancer, an angel came and watched my children, cleaned my house, did the laundry and prayed for me. I will always be grateful for her love and support.
Author
What a blessing to have such an angel in your life, Diana! Friends or loved ones like that are one in a million.
During the time 16 years ago when my husband had triple bypass heart surgery, there were 2 or 3 people especially that went that extra mile to be with me and support me.
Author
During a sickness or trouble of some kind seems to be when I see that earth angels the most, Connie. So glad you had people to help you while your husband was having surgery. That can be such a stressful time.
I met a couple in a park nearly 14 years ago. Today, we buried her. As we drive across ground blizzards In Minnesota to get home, I truly understand God’s sovereignty and His grace. I invited that young mom to MOPS and she came! She grew in her walk with Christ, disciples by those around her! Shorty after she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She fought hard for 12 years. God knows our hearts and our needs. He always provides in his own way for us!
Author
How sad to lose your friend, Debbie. But at the same time your story has an underlying joy since your friend found the right roads to walk with Christ. I feel sure he was with her every step of the way in her fight against cancer. You were an earth angel to her by inviting her to MOPS and giving her a support group as hard time came her way. May the Lord bless you and comfort your friend’s family and especially her children.
Love your fiction books, and I look forward to reading this non-fiction book. I think it’s wonderful how the Lord has helped you write it!
Author
I think it was wonderful too, Grace, because I truly felt it was a story that needed to be written down. Now my hope and Jerry’s too is that the book will fall into the hands of some people who can be helped by reading his story.
I so appreciate you reading my books.
I believe there are angels among us. I’d love to read the book. Remember many have entertained angels unaware.
Author
I won’t say there aren’t angels among us, Betty. The ways of the Lord are way beyond our understanding. And surely we can hope we won’t fail to entertain those angels when we have the opportunity.
God has truly gifted you with the ability to write! He knew your heart’s desire & He answered! What a blessing! God continually sends folks to encourage me – it maybe through reading a devotional or reading His Word or hearing from a friend! It may be in myriad of other ways! I am grateful for His faithfulness, mercy & grace!
Author
I love the blessings you listed, Betsy. Some of those may not seem like big things, but those kinds of little things are what build a good life. The Lord does find ways to send an encouraging word or action to us. A myriad of ways indeed.
The Lord did give me the desire of my heart by letting me write the books I have. And He sends me encouragers too. People like you and others who read my books and my blogs and tell me to keep writing.
I can not wait to read this! The Lord always leads us correctly. Mrs Ann you are a great writer and o enjoy your books!
I have a hard time expressing my self, i struggled with a comprehend things, however i can and have gotten lost whike reading your book. All well written! I can almost see Rosey corner! .. GOD bless you today and always!
Author
I’m so happy that you enjoyed your trips to Rosey Corner, Cara. I so appreciate you telling me that and I especially appreciate you reading my books and wanting to read this one about Jerry’s testimony. Thank you for being a blessing to me with your comment.
Sounds like a great story to read.
Author
I’m glad you think so, Ola. I’ll throw your name in my drawing hat. 🙂
While people have told me that I have helped them, I don’t know, that wouldn’t be for me to say. One of my close friends now has helped me as I watch her walk her cancer journey, one that she is not going to win. She is strong, determined and that enforces my own strength. She has verbally helped me, also.
Oh, did I forget to say that while she walks this journey she also lost her husband to cancer. I tried to be there for her along the way.
Author
Then I am sure you have been a blessing and one of those earth angels to her, Loretta. Another person’s courage in the face of hard times and hopeless illnesses can touch our hearts and make us wonder about our own courage in like situations. May your friend continue to find brave determination to be a blessing to those around her.
Thank you for following the Lord’s leading to write Jerry’s story. It sounds very inspiring. The Lord blessed us with 8 children and also with many earth angels who helped and encouraged us along the way.
Author
Eight children. That surely kept you busy when they were young, Carol. But what a blessing children are to us. I have three and sometimes wonder why I didn’t have at least one more. But my children are a blessing.
Glad you think Angels at the Crossroads sounds like a book you might like to read.
I would love to read Jerry’s Story. I know God blesses you to write as I have read a lot of your books and I don’t believe you could put all those beautiful words and thoughts on paper without His help. This must have meant a lot to Jerry to find the right person to tell his story. May God bless you to continue to write stories that will be a blessing to others and that will show God’s love.
Author
What a sweet and encouraging comment, Brenda. I so appreciate your kind words about my books. I do hope that each book I write is one that can help readers get some insights on their own faith while my characters search for answers in their fictional stories. But I want my stories to be entertaining too or at least good reads. Jerry and I did work together to get this story on paper. As you say, with the Lord’s help.
To give a smile or an encouraging word, I hope I am always to those in need.
Author
You’ve certainly given me some smiles and encouraging words, Melanie. I appreciate you.
I love stories from real life! Can’t wait to read it!
Author
Great, Shirley. I hope you will be glad you read the story when you get a chance to do so.
The Lord led you to write this book .He wanted Jerrys’ story told and he picked you. What a wonderful talent you have,
Author
I like the way you put that, Norma. I do think sometimes the Lord does give us tasks to do. Whether we always do them or not, we have many opportunities open to us. And thank goodness the Lord doesn’t give up on us just as he didn’t give up on Jerry.
I have been truly blessed by help along the way and hope I have been a help to others.
It seems as this book was meant to be, I am.looking forward to reading it.
Author
It is such a blessing to have people in our lives willing to go that extra mile for us and at the same time it is a blessing to go that extra mile for others. I know you are a blessing to many, Lisa. You’ve been walking a rough road for a few years because of illness, but I’m thankful your last doctors’ reports were good ones.
What a wonderful opportunity! I’m positive the Lord was with you as you wrote this story. I am very anxious to read it!
Author
Thank you, Belinda. I did feel the Lord helped me find the words to best tell Jerry’s story so that it could help others to warn them away from making wrong choices in their lives.
I’m thoroughly enjoying Jerry’s story. I’m just about halfway through now. It’s hard to read because it mimics my brother quite a bit. My brother has never killed anyone, but he’s so very impatient and “flies off the handle” much like Jerry in the early years. I purchased the ebook, but wish now I’d gotten the hardback so I could share it with him.
As to your question, I’ve been blessed with a best friend that’s my prayer warrior, my accountability partner, and we have sort of a 6th sense of when we need to call one another. We met when we were 12, and even though we’ve lived in different states most of that time, we’re still as close as sisters. We both know that God allowed us to meet all those years ago!
Have a great week, Ann. Enjoy this milder weather before the arctic blast hits in a couple of days.
ps…thanks for the plug for my page last week! 😉
Author
How wonderful that you have such a special friend and ever since you were both kids. Those kinds of friendships are to be treasured as I can tell you do yours. God does have a way of putting people together for good reasons.
I appreciate you giving Angels at the Crossroads a try, Lavon, and I do hope your brother never gets into the kind of trouble Jerry was in. At the same time, we can pray that he will make the right choices at his crossroads to live a good life.
Thank you so much for sharing some of the inside details of how The Lord helped you share Jerry’s Story for His Glory,Ann! Hallelujah for how He makes beauty out of our brokenness for His Glory! 🙂 To answer your question,friend, I am blessed every day by the loving help of my Dream Team! God Bless,Ann and Jerry! 🙂 ✨Proverbs 11:25✨
Author
Hi, Emily. Glad you are liking the behind the scenes info about Jerry’s story. Indeed the Lord can make beauty our of our brokenness as you say. And you are blessed by your Dream Team.
For the rest of you if you would like to know more about Emily and her Dream Team, you can check out a post she wrote for One Writer’s Journal a couple of years ago. Here’s the link. It is an inspiring story by an inspiring person. Thanks, Emily, for sharing about your Dream Team. https://www.annhgabhart.com/2016/06/26/emilys-amazing-dream-team/