Shaped by the Spirit: Released
A book, a writing space, a longing
It was a year ago when I first sat down to form some musings for the Substack named Shaped by the Spirit. I was looking ahead along the year-long zig-zag line that would lead to the day when my book by the same name would be released into the world. And now that day has come.
Monthly Musings: Released
In the early hours of this morning I arrived back from several weeks overseas, just in time for today’s May 16th release of Shaped by the Spirit into the world. Some of that time was in the UK, where I was able to meet my editor, the wonderful Lauren Windle, in person and visit the SPCK office.
I held my book for the first time -
a tender holding of a fledgling,
an awestruck holding of something beautiful,
a joyfully bewildered holding of something now real.
It was also a delayed meeting, as the box of author books was sent to me after I had left Australia. I am yet to open them! We had a fun and adventurous day together as my cousin, Shaped and I visited various sites around London and before that copy (signed and everything!) took a dive into the River Thames to bob away, afloat upon the murky waters. (Check out my Facebook countdown series for more.)
While I was over there a friend sent me a photo. My book was being sold in Lichfield Cathedral. What?! And then I spent the night with this same friend, and saw her copy which had arrived several days before. She was starting to read it, a bookmark keeping watch. Is it true, that these words wrapped in its sea-green cover, are now ‘out there’ for all to see, for all to read? Is the wait really over? Do I really want it to be?
In response to a “Shaped fell into the River Thames” post that I made yesterday, a friend replied with “John 3:8 comes to mind”. Although his comment was tongue-in-cheek, it is actually a great verse as Shaped by the Spirit is released into the world.
"...The wind blows where it wants to. You hear the sound it makes. But you can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going. It is the same with everyone who is born with the Spirit.”
I don’t know what will happen with this book, how God the Spirit will use it to shape a community of people or a disparate constellation of people. I don’t know what part it will play in their particular story. I don’t know if it will have momentary or lasting impact. I don’t know if it will draw people deeper into God’s heart and pivot them outward towards the world. That’s my prayer, but I don’t know.
What I do know is this: I was entrusted with it for a time and sought to steward it well. I was never in control of it, even when I wanted to be. And now, I release it. I can’t tell “where it comes from or where it is going,” so to speak, but God the Spirit is more invested in it than I will ever be. And I can trust that. I can trust Him. Today, that is enough.
Book News
My friends, Shaped by the Spirit is officially released. 🎉🌟🤩🎈
May it bless you and yours as together, we continue to be shaped by God the Spirit into an outward-focused people.
Australia - Word (now the cheapest in Aust.), Koorong or Amazon.com.au UK - SPCK USA - Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Cokesbury or Walmart
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Beautiful read Kate. Am certain there will be much blessing to the many readers of this of this 'treasure'.