A Special Day to Give Thanks by Mary Ellis

Happy Friday, readers,

As all of you know Thanksgiving is at the end of this month and even though 2024 has felt like a roller coaster ride with one wheel off the track, we have plenty of reasons to be grateful.

 ~ Although recently I had a major health crisis, I wouldn’t have to look too hard to find people in worse shape than me.

~ Although you might not be happy with the end result, the election is finally over and we don’t have to listen to malicious mud-slinging each time we pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV.

-Although thousands of people around the world are dying from disease, American researchers come up with new treatments all the time, plus we have the best health care in the world.

~Although my husband and I will dine alone on Thanksgiving, without the family and friends we love so much, at least we’ll have each other and enough food to eat. Some people will be alone and some will go hungry.

~Although on Sunday we will attend a service on TV instead of in our beloved country church, at least we’re free in this county to worship wherever and however we wish.

So tomorrow morning before I start thinking about breakfast or what I plan to wear I’ll get down on my knees and give thanks for my many blessings: I am still alive. I have someone who loves me, a roof over my head, and enough food to eat. And I have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who loves me even more than my earthly father did. No matter what happens between now and the end of the year, God promises to never leave me or forsake me. And for that I’m eternally grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  ~ Mary Ellis, Suspense Sisters

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME ~ Win a free copy of The Amish Sweet Sweet Shop by Mary Ellis, Emma Miller, Laura Bradford

Hello, Suspense Sisters, Mary Ellis here! Although usually I write mysteries and romantic suspense set in the South, recently I wrote a story set in an Amish community. My characters use their faith and trust in God to solve their problems. My hope as an author is that my fictional stories will encourage readers during their own times of tribulation. Shortly after I began my writing career, and experienced a modicum of success, I made a sign to hang over my desk of a favorite Scripture:  “But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  Matthew 23:12 NLT

My mother had her own version of that particular passage: Stop tooting your own horn. And her favorite: The less said about one’s self the better. The immortal maxims of my late mother still ring in my ears today, making me smile. The problem is Mom was a stay-at-home housewife, not a published author. How does a Christian balance being humble with the necessity of self-promotion, essential in the world of publishing? Not only writers, but musicians, dancers, actors, salespeople, public speakers, sports figures and of course, politicians must do quite a bit of horn-tooting to stay in the game. Even doctors and lawyers appear on TV enticing us to file that lawsuit or get that tummy-tuck expressly from them. Often this type of marketing isn’t just expected but required in the fine print of contracts.

I have struggled with the dilemma of promotion vs. setting oneself above others. I don’t like having to say: “look at me and what I’ve accomplished” even though I’m expected to blog, Facebook and participate in author interviews. So I must walk a narrow path between not puffing myself up, and spreading the word that a book about God’s infinite grace, mercy and love has just been released.  I focus on one undeniable truth: God gave me whatever humble abilities I possess. As long as He continues to put words into my head, I will continue to turn them into gentle stories meant to inspire. I hope I never forget: It’s not about me. It’s all by His hand and for His glory.

Please leave me a comment for a chance to win a copy of my novella, Nothing Tastes so Sweet, from the anthology collection, The Amish Sweet Shop, from Kensington Publishing. US and Canada only. Please leave your email address in order to win.

To pre-order The Amish Sweet Shop: https://www.christianbook.com/the-amish-sweet-shop/emma-miller/9781496718600/pd/718601?event=EBRN

Suspense Sister, Mary Ellis