The Journey Didn’t End With the Last Page

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”
— Proverbs 16:3

My plans never included writing a memoir. I occasionally toyed with the idea of reworking my master’s thesis and perhaps submitting it to a university press one day—but pouring out the details of the seasons of my life had never entered my mind.

Yet about a year ago, I felt an unmistakable drive to write He Ordered My Steps: From Shattered Dreams to Something Beautiful. The words poured out of me like a raging volcano—completed in just two months. I cannot fully explain it, other than knowing I felt deeply inspired. Even now, I stand amazed that at seventy-eight years old I could recall so many details from childhood through the present. Of course, what followed were many months of editing and reworking passages.

Through college and graduate school, I wrote countless papers, lengthy thesis work, and articles—many of which were published. But that writing was always done under the supervision of gifted professors who tirelessly edited my drafts and helped shape the work into something polished and precise.

Writing He Ordered My Steps was very different.

I hadn’t expected that.

This time, I found myself largely alone on the journey, occasionally sharing passages or chapters with friends or family for feedback, but without the steady guidance I had always known. Somewhere along the way, I realized this book was no longer simply the story of my life—it had become my testimony to the awesome faithfulness of God throughout every season.

That realization led me to briefly consider finding a publisher. When I explored that possibility, I quickly learned that traditional publishing would require an investment far beyond my means. So I did the only thing I knew to do–I talked with the Lord.

“If You want this published,” I prayed, “You will have to make it happen.”

Through a series of what might appear to be chance meetings—each one leading to another—I found my publisher. And throughout the publishing journey, God uniquely and faithfully provided for each new financial requirement as it arose.

While the writing itself was invigorating, I soon discovered that the publishing process can feel like a bad dream at times. Although friends suggested I write a second book. But after the challenges of publishing, I realized blogging may be my way of fulfilling that request. This space allows me to keep writing honestly, without pressure, as the journey continues to unfold.

Once the book was published, a new struggle emerged: guarding my heart against pride and the desire to control its success. It is difficult to fully surrender the process and resist the urge to take matters into my own hands. There are moments when anxiety creeps in—wondering about sales, questioning whether this was only a “flash in the pan,” fearing that everything might quietly fade away.

In those moments, I remind myself that I placed this journey into the very capable hands of my Good Shepherd. I take a deep breath and choose to trust that He will guide me through this uncharted season—and that whatever comes will be due to Him. And once again, I am reminded…He is still ordering my steps.

If you find yourself in a season where God is still writing, I hope you’ll walk along with me here.

God doesn’t just meet us in our past stories—He walks with us in the chapters still being written.

May you find courage to take the next step, even when the path ahead is unclear.
May you trust the God who goes before you, steadying your heart when doubts rise and fear whispers lies. And may you rest in the assurance that obedience—no matter how small—places you exactly where God intends you

Continue the Journey:

Finding Purpose in Life’s Winter

Read more at HeOrderedMySteps.com