God's Word | Real life | Contemporary Christian stories to get you on your feet when life knocks you down. | Join my list for free stories and updates on my latest novels!
In cases of abuse or neglect, estrangement may be necessary. But often, these factors are absent.
I'm not a counselor or teacher, but recovery programs have taught me the hard truth: No technique or worldly wisdom can force a person to engage in relationship. Self-help materials may offer useful tools but if they promise reconciliation, they're lying.
So what do you do, when a loved one goes no-contact?
The only person I can change is myself. And even that's in question! Yet every answer to prayer I've received has involved me changing. And God's power has done it. Not mine.
It’s normal to panic and allow estrangement to consume us. But Jesus warned us:
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37).
As I see it, our first response to estrangement, like any painful situation, must be to reaffirm our allegiance to Christ. Putting anyone else in His rightful place is sin.
No matter who does what, we must stand with Him and align with His Word.
The good news is God wants to heal estranged relationships. He knows our pain. He cares.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
"Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4).
As we focus on Him, receive His love, own our sins and failures, and surrender to His will, we welcome His transformative power.
That's all we can do, but it's powerful.
It's the best gift we can offer an estranged loved one. It shows a life undergoing transformation, by His grace. A commitment to follow Him, no matter what it costs.
Trusting and obeying Jesus, even when we don’t understand life’s disappointments, is true victory.
It proves the love of God is more than just platitudes.
And maybe that's exactly what estranged loved ones are looking for.
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Romans 16:20).
Life Lately
The truck is in the shop, so we got our ducks in a row and took the Jeep to the family camping trip.
No truck means no truck camper. This is the view from the rental house.
A wildfire took out much of the forest a few years ago. You can see the burned hills.
Jeeps have many uses. Paul set this up so I can stand while writing. He even got Starlink, too.
Me 'n Mr. Wonderful
What are you up to lately?
Writing News
Tara Johnson, author of Engraved on the Heart, endorsed Sons from Afar:
With honesty and perception, Columba Booth weaves a beautiful tale of hope amid pain and redemption among brokenness. Sons from Afar is an engaging tale of grit, grace, and truth. A story to savor and an author to watch!
Thank you, Tara!
I’m generating an audio version of Sons from Afar for another author who might endorse it. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, I’m working on a main character for my next novel. Meet Jody Greene, a teacher at a Christian camp in the mountains.
Jody's there to guide and protect the vulnerable kids in the camp’s programs—but will her compassion blind her to the truth? And what’s up with young Sarah’s mysterious single dad?
Meet Jody Greene!
If you’re reading an advance reader copy (ARC) of Sons from Afar, thank you! Please don’t forget to leave your review on Goodreads. (Amazon doesn’t allow reviews for pre-published books.)
Let's Pray
...for those suffering from estrangement:
Dear Father,
This world’s lies are harming many families with estrangement. Thank You for Your Word, which promises, “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Please restore those relationships. Turn hearts to You, and family members to one another. Grant those in estranged relationships wisdom, humility, love, and the ability to forgive and admit their own need for forgiveness. Heal and restore today’s families, dear Lord.
In Christ’s holy name we ask it. Amen.
Life-Changing Fiction
Encouragement for the Weary Soul isn't fiction, but for those dealing with estrangement or other challenging circumstances, it may be just the thing. Click here to read.
Here's a collection of free stories featuring inspiring women! Some clean romances, a horse story, a prequel to the "Perfect Love" series, and more! Get your summer read!
More from Columba...
Join my team to spread the word about Sons from Afar! Get a free pre-published copy of Sons from Afar. Your review on Amazon or Goodreads would help on launch day. Thanks, and God bless you!
Did you get the freebie I'm offering, By His Grace? Click the button below to download it! Once you've downloaded the EPUB file, follow these easy instructions to pop it on your device and start reading!
When you've downloaded the EPUB file, make sure it's in your Downloads folder.
Go to https://amazon.com/sendtokindle (You'll have to type it in. I couldn't find this page by clicking around Amazon.)
Are you on Amazon's "Send to Kindle" page? Great!
Click the button that says, "Select files from device." In the popup window, navigate to your Downloads folder.
You should see the By His Grace EPUB file. Click on it and use the "Send" button to upload your short story to your Amazon library.
Now, you can access By His Grace from anywhere you have the Kindle app installed. Have fun!
God's Word | Real life | Contemporary Christian stories to get you on your feet when life knocks you down. | Join my list for free stories and updates on my latest novels!