A Grateful Heart

Gracias, Merci Beaucoup, Grazie, dojeh, daw-dyeh, Danke Sher, Thank You!

I tried to find a variety of ways to express my appreciation for JUST WRITE’S - Meet The Authors Event. In my heart, I feel there isn’t a word I can say/write to express my gratitude. God gave me a vision to host the event at The Best Western Suites. I saw the center of the conference room filled with chairs and the tables positioned along the sides of the walls.

The purpose of the event was to love on our JUST WRITE members. They have worked hard. 

When I arrived and begin set-up, I changed the vision. I thought, perhaps, I’ll put a couple tables out for guests. Since we are having refreshments, people might want to rest their plates and cups. Well, that meant each author would not have their individual table to display their work.They would have to share. 

I am thankful for good people God has placed in my life. The first to arrive, Lydia Best. She said, “No, we prayed for standing room only. Let’s use the tables and put out more chairs.” That’s what we did and God did the rest. The room filled with many faces I had never seen before. I am humbled by each and every guest that crossed the threshold.

I am grateful for my friend Donna who came. She noticed something. “Why is that curtain coming down?” She immediately stood on a chair to fix it. I told her; I’ll stand here in case you fall. Well, what happened? I got distracted and walked away. Thankfully, she was fine. However, she had my back. She set-up refreshments and took pictures. My KP also took pictures (Keischa Pruden).

In the bustle of it all, I failed to appoint a greeter. Darlene, one of members that was also presenting said, “I’d be happy to greet and pass out the raffle tickets.” Just like that — no hesitation. Once again, grateful was I.

My sister, Tissany Atkinson of Women in Business supported. Although she had a full day, she was there. My WIB sisters, Kathy Hunter and Tanya Higgins supported. Thank you! Kathy was also a vendor.  She filled the room with wonderful fragrances, compliments of her Scentsy business.

I am also thankful for everyone who helped spread the word and shared the invitation on social media. It has not gone unnoticed.

My baby-girl is amazing. Ariel is a young adult with her own agenda. Still, she found time to come take pictures and video. Although, she let me know in no uncertain terms, “Do not ask to see the footage until Tuesday.” Noted.  

My authors/writers/members — yes — I call them mine. I believe God has given them to me to assist in their literary journey. They showed up and showed out. They were beautifully dressed, professionally presented, and their tables were adorned with their heart/soul; their books. Proud? That word doesn’t come close to describing my admiration for them. 

Where will God take them next? I sincerely do not know. However, I do know there are no limits to what He can do. They will do great and mighty work for The Kingdom. 

Next year, we are claiming a larger venue. We serve a mighty BIG God! So…The Hilton, here we come. 

After an accomplishment in your life, do you plan for bigger? I'd love to hear your comments.

Until We Meet Again,

Brook Lynn

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Host: JUST WRITE REVIEW

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novel) Coming Soon

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

OUTStanding (Memoir/Teen Guide)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love

More In Store -- Just Move

Every time I look at this flyer, I am simply in awe. “All I was doing was writing one book.” This is what I say when I look back over this literary journey. This amazing walk with my Heavenly Father has led to writing and publishing more books, a writing club for aspiring authors, coaching writers to complete their books, and a YouTube show supporting local authors. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I see all of this. All I knew was; God spoke, I begin writing and spending quiet time with Him. The rest just followed.

Just because it followed, doesn’t make it easy. What I mean by that is, a book is a hard sell. Especially the ones that I write, Christian Romance/Suspense Novels. Yes, I write romance and suspense, but I write to uplift, inspire and share God's love.

There are days that I want to give up. It is difficult to find your market. But I keep pushing. Why? That is what I’m called to do. It reminds me of a dream I had. I was in the car with my step-mother. I was driving. As we got to the intersection, there were people there. I slowed down, but didn’t stop. I came close to running them over. Naturally, this upset my step-mom. Truth be told, it upset me. I awoke wondering, what in the world?

The dream stayed with me, until I ran across Luke 14:23: "Then the master told his servant, Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” 

What? By me getting in their personal space, practically running them over, is this how I compel someone to come unto the Lord? Wait a minute, Lord. People will not like that. No sir re! 

However, compelling means that we have go beyond the convenient invitation. It is like grabbing someone by the hands while providing a strong case for the seriousness of the situation. You MUST COME. You’ve GOT to be born again. The table is set. YOU MUST!

Salvation, although easy to accept, it is not without strength and confidence. It is not without obedience. It requires us to do more than what we think would be easy. 

So back to my first line, “ALL I was doing was writing one book.” God said, this is your calling. This is your ministry. You are called to the reader, as well as the writer. Now go into the roads and country lanes and compel them to come.

My Dear Friend, you have got to move also. If you are a born again believer, and know what you are called to do, you’ve got to move. You’ve got to move when you’re tired, and begin to doubt if God really told you this. You’ve got to move when your finances seem small, and when people begin to speak ill of you. You’ve got to move when you’re not pleased with the results, and when you’ve made mistakes. You’ve got to move.

Stay connected in alignment with your Heavenly Father. He gives provision for the vision.

I’ll leave you with something I found. I read this scripture over and over. One day, it came alive to me. The Red Sea did not open for the Israelites until they stood before it. They had to move first before a way was made. He’s calling you, be encouraged, keep moving.

Has God called you to move and you find yourself pulling back? Share your stories, we’d love to hear from you. And if you would like to connect with our JUST WRITE authors, join us May 14th - 10 am to noon at The Best Western Suites - 2310 Greenville Blvd NE, Greenville, NC 27858.

Until We Meet Again,

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novel) Coming Soon

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love

Raising Expectations!

April 2nd with my lovely assitant Chikera

Currently it seemed everywhere I turned I heard,  raise your expectations. A friend and I partnered together to be inspirational speakers. Our first event was on April 2. Prior to the event, she made the comment that she hoped a lot of people would attend. I replied with, our job was not to worry about the crowd, but to be prepared to share our testimony.

Later, when I thought about it, I knew I had lowered my expectations. I know the point is not how many people attend, however, I’ve become accustomed to small crowds. As I thought this through, I felt a nudge within telling me to raise my expectations. 

I let the nudge ferment. As it did, I took a trip to Maryland to visit some family members. Before we left, my cousin played a Bill Winston confession for my husband and I. She said we should say it every morning. Pastor Winston begins the confession with saying get ready and expect things to happen. That was the second time I heard expect within that week. 

The more I considered this, I knew this was not the second time I heard expect. At the beginning of the year, I felt God tell me to write a confession and to speak it after my prayer and Bible study in the mornings. I started doing this, but not consistently. 

What is wrong with me? Why am I finding it difficult to speak life into every area of my life? And why does God want me to? These were my prompting thoughts. I didn’t let it go and neither did God. Thankfully, I tuned into Bible study one night and heard our assistant pastor say that God framed the worlds by His words. Moreover, we have the same power to speak and frame the world that we want to live in. 

It became obvious to me that God was telling me, He was not going to do for me what I have the power to do. He had already opened the door, but until I called forth what was waiting for me, it would not walk into my world. God gave me lungs to breathe, He gave me a heart to love, and He gave me a mouth to command. 

Author LaTina Shelley

I learned my real problem was my faith. If I truly believed, I would speak and expect manifestation. 

However, this lesson God was teaching me wasn’t over yet. I was dealing with a change within my body. I went to the doctor to ensure it was menopause and not any other concerns. It was important that I go because I’m only 44 years old. I hadn’t had a cycle in three months and I felt great about that! My doctor is an older gentleman. I chose him for that reason. I expected he would be wise and experienced, and I trusted his judgment. Nevertheless, when he told me what he saw on the ultrasound, I doubted him. He said, my right ovary had a cyst, but the left looked normal. He explained that within it, he could see follicle activity. NO WAY! How could he see that? I felt great, and had no signs or symptoms of having another cycle. I know my body, he had to be wrong. Right?

He wasn’t. After receiving all my test results, another cycle began. This was a lesson on faith for me. My doctor was the one with the wisdom and experience, he had inside information. Yet, I doubted him simply because of how I felt. I trusted my body and the history of how it normally operated. 

God is saying to me, stop trusting the history and the normal pattern of things to happen within my life. Stop asking Him to do what He’s commanded me to do. When I speak in alignment with His word, I have the power to frame my world…and so do you! Speak it and expect the manifestation.

And on April 2, more women showed up for our speaking engagement than I expected. In fact, several women from my church attended. I was blown away by the level of support. Not only that, not even a week later after the event, we are booked for another speaking engagement on June 7. 

June 7 is a very important day for me. It’s my best friend’s birthday. Another reason I can raise my expectations!

New Friend Ruth!

Is there an area in your life where you have settled, not expecting more? If so, please share. I’d love to hear from you.

With Love and Great Expectations,

Brook Lynn

Brook Lynn Dorcent
Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Host: JUST WRITE REVIEW
Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers
Missing the Mark (Novel One)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)
Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)
Above All (Novel Four)
His Wedding Vow (A Novel) Coming Soon
Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

OUTStanding (Memoir/Teen Guide)
www.brooklynndorcent.com
Why Not...Read for Love

Agree to Disagree and Let Go!

As parents our responsibility is to raise our children to be caring, loving, strong and self-sufficient adults. That is the purpose. We pray, seek guidance from our Bible, pastors, physicians and teachers, to ensure we’re doing the best for their entire well-being. Then the day comes when we must let go. This is the day we’ve prepared for, but also the day we fear most.

How can we protect them if they are not in our view? Oh, I struggle with these moments still. My children are 22, 19 and 8. They are all residents of our home, however, they are adult children. They have jobs and vehicles.

Only yesterday I had another life-course in letting go. My 19-year old purchased a new car in mid-January. My husband and I decided he could drive locally, but we did not want him driving to Raleigh until he had at least three months of driving under his belt. My son honored the request a couple times. Yesterday, he challenged me. He constantly argued that he had driven safety and he wanted me to trust him. I tried explaining this was not a matter of trust, this was a matter of protection. I persisted, telling him he was not ready.

My son equally persisted. Finally, I let go. Unfortunately, my children have always challenged us, asked a reason why before obeying. I honestly don’t know where they get this quality from. Of course, in a heartbeat, my husband would say, YOU! They get that from YOU!

Anyway, after letting go of battling with my son, I spoke to my husband. I asked, “Are you ok with this?” He said, “Yes. We have to allow him to do this.” 

OK, I’m still not sure about that. Did I have to allow him? Yes, I have rode in the car with my son. He handles his new car well, but still I believed he needed more time — more experience. 

This morning I’m thankful to report Chris made it home safe and sound, and before curfew, I might add. Smiling big, the first thing he said when he returned was, “See Mom, you doubted me.” I replied, “No, this was not about trust, this was about my protection.”

I guess I will always offer words of guidance and protection to our children. That will never cease.  God never stops speaking to us through His word, or within our hearts. He warns us. His job as our heavenly Father is to protect us. 

There comes a point when God will let us go. There are times we may make the wrong decision. In His grace and mercy, He provides protection. That’s what I had to seek in order to find peace while Chris drove yesterday. I prayed, we had dinner, and my 8-year old and I watched The Flash on Netflix.

Yesterday, I learned sometimes the only and best protection I can provide for my children is prayer. God will handle all the rest. Thank you Father.

How about you? Can you share a parenting moment when you had to agree to disagree and let go?

Until We Meet Again,

Brook Lynn

Brook Lynn Dorcent
Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Host: JUST WRITE REVIEW
Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers
Missing the Mark (Novel One)
Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)
Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)
Above All (Novel Four)
His Wedding Vow (A Novel) Coming 2016
Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

OUTStanding (Memoir/Teen Guide)
www.brooklynndorcent.com
Why Not...Read for Love

Seeing The Value In It All

I made a commitment to blog every Sunday. Until Friday, I had nothing. I was slightly concerned that I wouldn’t have anything of value to share. Still, I believed I would find something to blog about. It’s amazing when you make a commitment to the gifts God has given us; He will ensure that we have all we need.

On Friday, He allowed me to bump into wisdom and I saw the value in it all.

I leave work at 5:00 pm. It was around 4:20 and it had not been a very eventful day. For that, I was grateful. On my way to my office after catching up on some filing, I saw a retired employee and his spouse. We normally see this retiree every Friday. He’s a stamp collector and comes to acquire all the stamps we’ve received. As the years have progressed, he moves a little slower with the help of a cane. Nevertheless, he’s faithful.

Seeing me in the hall, he politely introduced me to his wife. I remembered her from his retirement party. Then, she shared such admirable sentiments about her husband. Her words moved her to the point of tears. The memory stayed with me. I believe no one knows us like our spouses do. They’ve truly seen, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Yet, a faithful spouse still sees the value in us.

His wife said, “Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t remember you.” It had been at least 12 years since that retirement party. I replied, “That is fine.” I also shared why she was so memorable to me.

Well…that sparked a conversation between the two of us. As we went on and on, her husband walked off in search of his stamps. She talked, and I mainly listened. She shared they had been married 56 years. She talked about his current health challenges, but it was not his problem alone. Oh no, they were a team, in it together, and would get through it.

She not only shared about how much she cared about her spouse, she shared how she had neglected her own health and urged me not to do that. Years ago, although she felt fine, medical testing revealed a problem with her heart. Well since she had no symptoms, she went about her daily routine, going to a ball game, grocery shopping, preparing dinner, and cleaning the kitchen. She gently touched my arm as she emphasized, “You know us women, we never stop.”

That night, life for her almost came to an abrupt end. After her routine, she began to feel like she was going under. Since the doctor had given her Nitroglycerin, she managed to gather enough strength to find her purse and take one. It had been too late, however. She struggled into a room where her husband sat at the computer and plopped into a chair. Her last words before her eyes rolled out of sight were, “I feel awful.”

Later, she found herself being prepped for open-heart surgery.

As I listened, I thought about my health. I come from a family where my mother and grandmother both have had heart attacks.  For no reason at all, I stopped taking my daily aspirin.

Shifting my thoughts, I focused on her again. We could have talked for hours more. She spoke of family and said, “God has a plan. We don’t know the time or day. However, I’d love to see what would become of my youngest grandchild.”

That is a hope we both share. I don’t have grandchildren yet, but what a joy that would be! When she left me, I felt refreshed.

Just as her husband’s pastime is collecting stamps, mine is writing. No matter how many books I sell, my heart’s desire is to just write. I also saw the value in appreciating my spouse and family all the more. The best way to do all those things; is to value my health. On my way home that evening, I ran into the pharmacy and purchased my aspirin. I’m taking them again.

I was grateful I bumped into wisdom on Friday. How about you?  Please share your unexpected encounters and the value in it all. I’d love to hear from you.

Until We Meet Again,

Brook Lynn

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers
HOST: THE JUST WRITE REVIEW (YouTube)

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novel) Coming Soon

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

OUTStanding (Memoir/Teen Guide)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love

It’s going to take a long time… Sow W.H.A.T.?

Years ago a friend suggested I write a book. Offended, I replied, “Do you know how long it will take to write a book?” The words flew from my mouth before I had time to give it reasonable consideration. I couldn’t believe he had suggested such a thing. I mean, really, who has the time?

Oh, the lessons I’ve learned over the years about this wonderful gift called time. Many of us defer our dreams based on the length of time; as if the validity of the manifestation does not matter because of the time it will take to produce. I know many of us are busy and do not feel we have sufficient time to sow into our dreams, wants and desires.  I’m writing this today so you will allow yourself a chance to pull back and readjust your vision lens.

I was able to do this when I moved from New York to North Carolina. My friend knew I had great stories to tell.  And after I moved, my life slowed down, and the writing bug bit. I began to value the time I had. However, manifestation of the vision requires more than valuing time. It requires active sowing.

I will share some life lessons to explain what I mean.

I met my husband while in my second semester of college. We fell head over heals in love. Against my parent’s better judgment, we married in my senior year. They were afraid I’d get pregnant and that might interfere with graduation. They were right! Seven months later I was pregnant and I put school on hold. Three years later, I had my second child. Finally, I decided I needed to return to earn those last 30 credits toward my bachelors’ degree. Returning with two young children was very challenging. Nevertheless, I completed the course. Looking back, it took ten years for me to earn my four-year degree. Sow…W.H.A.T.?

Here’s another life lesson…

My mother hit a very rough patch in her life when I turned 10 years old. She began drinking heavily and physically abused my sister and I. This went on for six years. Year in and year out, I prayed. As the years passed, things progressively worsened. My prayers did not fall upon deaf ears. In fact, I prayed for my mom to stop drinking, God did one better. He delivered her from drinking. After attending one year of AA meetings, she stopped going. My family panicked, thinking this was not good for a recovering alcoholic. Her words, “I just don’t want it anymore.” She never took another drink. It took a long time for that prayer to be answered, Sow…W.H.A.T.?

My point, God has given us the principle of seedtime and harvest. This is how production is manifested in the earth. Somehow, we’ve become microwave producers. If it’s going to take a long time, we respectfully decline the benefit. However, if we are to receive the benefit from the investment of time, then what should we sow?

W – Workable plan. Whatever you are working toward requires a workable plan.

H – Hold onto hope. The enemy will challenge you. Please know; with God all things are possible.

A – Acknowledgment. If you need direction, seek the Father. He will guide you.

T- Talk it up. Confess and call those things that be not, as though they were.

The next time a seed is planted into your heart that will take some time manifesting, reply with, Sow W.H.A.T. and get to work.

Bountiful blessings awaits.

Until we meet again,

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novel) Coming Soon

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

OUTStanding (Teen Guide)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love