FAITH, HOPE & LOVE - Weight of the Past, Hope for Renewal

ALT="author Susan G Mathis" and book Julia's Joy

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

Today I’m happy to introduce friend and fellow author Susan G Mathis with her latest release, Julia’s Joy. I hope you’re blessed.

Weight of the Past – Hope for Renewal
with Faith, Hope, and Love
By Susan G Mathis

In 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 we read, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Sometimes, a story can help us see a little more clearly what the Scriptures are trying to say.

In Julia’s Joy, Julia Collins embarks on a profound journey that serves as a reflection of healing from personal loss and the discovery of hope in unexpected places. Her emotional struggles, intertwined with the vibrant yet isolated setting of Sister Island and her relationship with William, create a rich narrative that resonates with themes of resilience and transformation.

Like us, Julia grapples with the weight of her past. The deaths of her parents, and later her grandmother, leave her with profound grief and feelings of abandonment. This loss shapes her spiritual identity and influences her decisions as she arrives on Sister Island with the intent of claiming her inheritance. However, beneath her practical exterior lies a questioning heart burdened by unresolved pain.

As the story unfolds, Julia’s emotional struggles become increasingly apparent. She battles feelings of isolation, questioning her worth and the direction of her life. Her spiritual journey is marked by the challenge of confronting this grief head-on, rather than merely attempting to move on. This internal spiritual conflict is a central theme, illustrating the complex nature of healing—it’s not just about letting go; it’s about facing the past to make room for God to mold the future.

Sister Island serves as more than just a physical setting; it becomes a catalyst for Julia’s healing. The island’s serene beauty and faith-filled atmosphere provide a stark contrast to the turmoil in her heart. As Julia immerses herself in the island’s community and its natural surroundings, she begins to experience spiritual moments of peace and clarity.

The isolation of the island forces Julia to slow down, reflect, and truly engage with her emotions. Nature often acts as a healing balm, and for Julia, the tranquil waters and lush landscapes symbolize hope and renewal. This environment encourages her to confront her grief, allowing her to process her feelings and gradually open her heart to the possibilities of life beyond her loss.

We can learn to see our brokenness and the need for God’s help a little more clearly as we explore the stories of others, whether in the Bible or in another book. My prayer is that you’ll see the journey of faith, hope, and love through the mirror of Julia’s Joy.

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About Julia’s Joy:

She came to claim her inheritance, but the mysterious scarred lighthouse keeper makes her question all her plans.

When Julia Collins reluctantly sets foot on Sister Island, compelled by her wealthy grandmother’s will, she is intent on claiming her inheritance and moving on. But when she experiences the peaceful, faith-filled island life, and connects with the handsome lightkeeper, William, Julia finds herself confronting her open wounds from her parents’ deaths.

William Dodge, lightkeeper of Sister Island, harbors a heart hardened by a past betrayal. Between that and his chronic pleurisy, he wants nothing to do with love. But when Julia arrives on the island bursting with vitality and unconventional notions, William’s world is turned upside down. As she chips away at the walls William has built for himself, he finds his reluctance waning.

But just as love begins to blossom between them, Julia is faced with a tempting proposal from a prominent Brockville family. Will she succumb to societal expectations or choose the richness of her island life and the love of the steadfast lightkeeper?

About Susan:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has thirteen in her fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Peyton’s Promise, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment, A Summer at Thousand Island House, Libby’s Lighthouse, and Julia’s Joy, the second in her three-book lighthouse series. Her book awards include three Illumination Book Awards, four American Fiction Awards, three Indie Excellence Book Awards, five Literary Titan Book Awards, two Golden Scroll Awards, and a Selah Award. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Northern Virginia and enjoys traveling around the world but returns each summer to enjoy the Thousand Islands. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.