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Are you overwhelmed? If you’re like me, you spend at least some of your time overwhelmed. It’s 2020, after all!

I recently encountered a health issue. Inconsistent test results tossed me around like a roller coaster ride and left me feeling overwhelmed. Thankfully, everything got sorted out and wasn’t as bad as first anticipated.

It’s all good, as the saying goes. Right?

But what if that’s more than a saying? Not everything in life is good, certainly not a health crisis or the loss of a loved one. Yet we can rest in the goodness of God’s grace, mercy, and peace through the crisis. As a Christian, we know Christ walks through our trials with us. Without that assurance, we would stay overwhelmed!

Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…”

With every not-so-right moment comes beautiful moments like the sunrise every morning, the giggles of my granddaughter—and the amazing moments spent in nature like the weekend at the beach with my family, soaking in the sun and surf, and having some much needed down time.

The enjoyment went beyond jumping waves with the kids and looking for shells. God’s greatness flooded my soul with peace as I walked along the shore. Humbling might be an accurate word to describe the magnitude of my feelings. Or perhaps overwhelmed? Even better.

Maybe the solution to our stress lies in changing our mindset so we can be overwhelmed by God’s “eternal power and divine nature” instead of our circumstances.

So many things we take for granted—the air we breathe, awaking every morning, our health, the ocean, even the ability to hear a bird singing in a tree—are here because God chose to give us an amazing gift called life, along with the ability to appreciate and enjoy it.

What blessing completely overwhelms you with gratitude for God’s greatness—a greatness when embraced is bigger than your problems? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

In my latest novel, Hope’s Gentle Touch, my main character Misty Stephens, is overwhelmed by starting over. As an abuse victim, she doesn’t know who to trust. Men certainly aren’t at the top of her list. But she soon learns that walking hand-in-hand with God means she doesn’t have to pin her well-being on a man.

So does Misty learn to trust again? You’ll have to read Hope’s Gentle Touch to find out if she gets her happily-ever-after!

Humor and fun, colorful secondary characters, and a few surprises along the way provide the backdrop for this sweet story set in the beautiful upstate of South Carolina. Hope’s Gentle Touch is available on Amazon by clicking here.

Praise for Hope’s Gentle Touch:

Poole handles the tender topic of abuse with grace and just enough tension to remind the reader that our happily ever afters are often hard won. She writes with the kind of authenticity and wisdom that transforms a sweet romance into a meaningful tale that will give readers something to think about long after turning the last page.
– Sarah Loudin Thomas, Christy-nominated author of Miracle in a Dry Season

A heartwarming novel with characters you can’t quit rooting for. This book is perfect for fans of small-town inspirational romance.
 Heidi McCahan, author of Unraveled

Hope’s Gentle Touch is a profound look at the effects of spouse/ date abuse on its victims. Heartbreaking and honest, the story weaves a realistic psychological study of the long-lasting turmoil faced by those who are trapped or have been trapped in abusive relationships. Yet author Laura Poole offers words of hope in the midst of tragedy, light in the midst of the darkness. A well-crafted novel that will bring understanding about this often-hidden evil. – Elaine Marie Cooper, author, Love’s Kindling, Scarred Vessels

Back cover copy: After her abusive husband’s death, Misty Stephens returns to her job as a nurse and volunteer at a women’s shelter. She intends to put her life back together and has no intention of ever being vulnerable to a man again. But when an abuse victim dies in her care, Misty finds herself consoling the girl’s brother … and fighting attraction.

Adam Jenkins sees Misty’s heart for the oppressed and implores her to help build Hope House, a women’s shelter, in honor of his sister. Though grieving, Adam is drawn to Misty. But he approaches romance the way he does ranching—quick and decisive—an almost disastrous mistake. While dealing with family fallout and troubles at work, this new project and Misty become a light shining into Adam’s grief.

A common purpose binds them together, and Misty’s heart starts to open to Adam. But she finds it much harder to lower her defenses than she imagined. Can any man be fully trusted—especially a powerful, wealthy rancher? When the past rears its ugly head and her reality starts to crumble, Misty’s trust in God and hope for a bright future are put to the test. Will hope’s gentle touch finally bring the love Misty’s heart needs to heal?

Biography: Laura Hodges Poole is an award-winning Christian author. Her most recent novel, Return to Walhalla, was a Selah Award finalist. She enjoys encouraging others through her blog, A Word of Encouragement. On beautiful days in South Carolina, you might find her hiking instead of writing. A mother of two, grandmother, and empty-nester, Laura enjoys a quiet life with her husband.

To connect with Laura and learn more about her other books:
Website: http://laurahodgespoole.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Laura_Poole
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/LauraHodgesPoole
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lhpoole/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Hodges-Poole