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Pursuing Dreams

February 5, 2017 By Tara Johnson Leave a Comment

It’s an odd thing to see a long awaited dream fulfilled.

You reach, you pray, you cry, you plan, you anguish and lament, you work and beg, and pray some more. Hoping, wondering. Sometimes, your focus can become muddled. That was the case for me a few years ago. My dream was to become a published author. An admirable goal, especially since I wanted to write stories that pointed people towards Jesus, right?

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The problem with dreams, with any dream, is they can become gods if we let them.

In all my dream striving, I lost my joy and instead became plagued with despair. God tenderly revealed to me I was pursuing the dream more than I was pursuing Him.

Pause. Time for a heart check and reevaluation. My prayers changed. Instead of asking God for a publishing contract, I asked Him to help me write stories He could bless. I asked Him to reveal my own wounds and give me the courage to expose them to His healing light…and then have the audacity to write about the scars afterwards.

He did.

I’m happy to announce I recently signed a three book contract with Tyndale House Publishers! me-signing-contract-with-tyndale-houseThe very first book of this Civil War series, Engraved on the Heart, will be released sometime around May of 2018. Books two and three, tentatively titled Where Dandelions Bloom and Cadence’s Song will follow in 2019 and 2020. I have no idea why God has blessed me so, but I’m typing this through tears, still amazed. To be among such talented authors like Francine Rivers, Candace Calvert, Rachelle Dekker, Allison Pittman, Joel C. Rosenberg, Diann Mills, Lisa Wingate, among numerous others, is humbling. And to work with Tyndale’s incredible editors, artists and businessmen leaves me in shock. I’m so thankful to God for their willingness to embrace me with open arms. When God said, “Yes”, He said yes in a big way.

I’m excited to step foot on this new adventure, yet I pray I don’t lose sight of the beautiful lesson He’s taught me during the past few years of waiting.

The world will tell you to reach for your dreams before time runs out. God says to trust Him because His timing is perfect. The world says the only way to be more is to work harder, push, do, strive. God says if you’ve given yourself to Him, you are His child and heir. Your identity is already rock solid. (Rom. 8:15-17) The world says the only way to reach your dreams is to become a better multi-tasker. Cram in more. Do it all and have it all. God says to be still. He will give you rest. The world issues demands and still, many people never see the fulfillment of their dreams. God promises if you delight yourself in Him, He will give you the desires of your heart. (Ps. 37:4) road

Goals are wonderful things, but they are not the destination. True satisfaction and lasting joy can only be found at the feet of Christ. Jesus is not walking with me towards a dream. He is my dream. 

It doesn’t get any better than that.

Check out Tyndale publishers here. www.tyndale.com

Filed Under: Beyond What We Can Imagine, Uncategorized, Writer's Life, Writing Fiction Tagged With: dreams, giving dreams to God, goals, God, God's best, God's timing, Jesus, Jesus is my dream, journey with Jesus, publisher, striving, Tyndale, world, writer, Writing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Teddie James Helms says

    February 5, 2017 at 11:30 pm

    The whispers of lies….often sound like councils of truth…if that is what we want it to sound like.
    (guilty)
    Thank you for being open………

    Reply
  2. Pat Martinez says

    February 6, 2017 at 4:24 am

    And don’t I remember reading not long ago that you were disappointed that your singing voice was changing? Looks like when God closes one window, He opens another! We are blessed by your journey!

    Reply
  3. jennycarlisle says

    February 6, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    I am so happy that your “waiting period” is over! Can’t wait to actually hold a Tara Johnson story in my hand!

    Reply
  4. gladys.meier13@comcast.net says

    February 7, 2017 at 5:02 am

    Dear Tara –

    Congratulations! I’ve always had the faith that you would find your dream come true. I am so very proud of you and know that you are using your talents to serve God. Love you always, Grandma

    Reply

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Engraved on the Heart

Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

Engraved on the Heart
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Reader Reviews:

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“Engraved on the Heart brings Savannah, Georgia, during the Civil War to life.”… Read more “Sarah Sundin”

Award-winning Author

Robin Lee Hatcher

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“Tara Johnson delivers a stirring tale of danger and hope.”… Read more “Robin Lee Hatcher”

RITA and Christy Award winner

Laura Frantz

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“Johnson weaves a tale of selflessness, and service . . .”… Read more “Laura Frantz”

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Jocelyn Green

Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

“Lovers of Civil War fiction will rejoice to add Engraved on the Heart to their collections.”… Read more “Jocelyn Green”

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Meet Tara

Tara JohnsonTara Johnson is a writer, singer, speaker and passionate lover of stories. Tara uses fiction, nonfiction, song and laughter to share her testimony of how God led her into freedom after spending years living shackled to the expectations of others. She lives in central Arkansas with her husband and children.

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