In my 30s…when writing and promoting The Cracker Queen:
I had a Vision Board
Oprah’s name on it
Said yes to every invite, no matter the expense or time
Drove 6 hours to South GA to speak to a civic club–in exchange for Vidalia onions (they were good, too)
Craved recognition, media attention, the validation of the world
I was hard-driving, trying to control outcomes, forcing
Clutching
Ego
Now…not that I’m any wiser, but I am growing:
Letting God lead
Trusting this book will go the way it needs to go and reach the readers it should reach
Still working very hard but surrendering at the same time
Not attached to the outcome
Trusting the inner voice
Declined being considered for 2 prestigious book festivals because the inner voice said to
Leave space open for wonderful things as yet unseen
Learning when to push and when to rest
His plan, not mine
Open hand instead of tight fist
Coming August 4, 2026…A Priest Walks into a Waffle House: Stories from a Gritty, Grace-filled Life