The Story Behind the Story of my Co-Authored Book

People often ask how this book came to be, and the truth is that I never set out to write this book.

In fact, God brought this opportunity to me when I wasn't looking for it at all.

At the time, our family was walking through one of the most difficult seasons of our lives. We discovered black mold in our home, forcing us to move out and live with family while remediation took place. It was stressful enough to be displaced from our home, but things only became more complicated when the remediation company made a devastating mistake. Instead of properly treating the mold, they sprayed an acidic cleaning solution throughout the house, damaging many of our belongings and creating even more challenges to navigate.

Then came the illnesses.

One after another, our family was hit hard. My husband, our two babies, and I battled persistent respiratory issues related to the mold exposure. Before we could fully recover, we were struck by severe RSV, pneumonia, and eventually COVID. It felt as though every time we came up for air, another wave crashed over us.

To be honest, I wasn't thinking about writing a book.

I was simply trying to make it through each day.

It was right in the middle of that season that a friend reached out to me with an idea. She wanted to create a book about finding joy in the difficult moments of motherhood and asked if I could relate or if I had any stories to share.

I actually laughed when I read her message.

Could I relate?

At that moment, I was living it.

I told her I would be happy to contribute. I assumed I might send a few stories or thoughts that would remain between the two of us. I had no grand vision for what it might become. I certainly never imagined where God would take it.

As we began sharing our experiences, a common theme emerged. Both of us had learned that joy isn't found when life becomes easy. Joy is found when we discover God's presence and faithfulness in the middle of the hard things.

During that valley, God built my faith in ways I had never experienced before. He taught me to trust Him when circumstances didn't make sense. He reminded me that His goodness is not dependent on my comfort. He showed me that even when everything feels uncertain, He remains steadfast. A song that I played over and over, declaring with my children as we belted it out in the car was Maverick City's Promises... it was a reminder that God was good to me and faithful even when life was tough.

I began writing down what the Lord was doing. What started as a simple exchange of stories slowly became a manuscript.

Then came years of writing, rewriting, editing, and editing again.

Countless hours were spent refining chapters, sharing feedback, praying over words, and asking God to guide every step. Eventually, the book was nearly complete, and we found ourselves wondering what to do next.

We began researching publishing options and quickly realized how difficult the industry can be to break into. Many traditional publishers only accepted submissions from authors with large platforms, significant social media followings, or previous publishing success. Self-publishing was an option, but the costs were daunting, and neither of us had thousands of dollars available to invest.

So we prayed.

And then one day, God prompted me to do something simple.

I reached out to a former colleague, not to pitch the book, but simply to ask for advice about self-publishing. I thought perhaps he might point us toward a reputable company or share some helpful insight.

What I didn't know was that God was already setting something much bigger in motion.

That one email started a chain of events that only the Lord could orchestrate.

My colleague connected me with the publishing leadership at Focus on the Family. To my complete surprise, they were interested in the manuscript. Not only did they want to publish it—they wanted to invest in it. They wanted to promote it. They wanted to share it through their podcasts, radio programs, and publications.

I was stunned.

The blessings didn't stop there.

Before long, endorsements began coming in from people I deeply respected. Rebecca St. James read the book and endorsed it. So did Mandi Arioto, Erin Smalley, and others whose ministries and work had impacted countless families.

Each new opportunity left me shaking my head in amazement at God's goodness.

Because none of this started with a publishing strategy.

None of it started with a platform.

It started in a valley.

It started with mold, sickness, uncertainty, and a desperate dependence on God.

It started with a simple "yes."

A yes to sharing what God was teaching me in the middle of the struggle.

A yes to recounting His faithfulness when circumstances felt overwhelming.

A yes to believing that even painful seasons are never wasted in His hands.

My co-author's story was much the same. Together, we wrote about choosing to see God's goodness in the middle of the mess. Not because life was easy, but because God was present.

Looking back now, I can see that God was doing far more than helping us write a book.

He was building our faith.

He was strengthening our trust.

He was preparing us to speak about His faithfulness from a place of experience rather than theory.

The very valley we never would have chosen became the place where our roots grew deeper.

And today, God continues to use those difficult seasons to encourage others who are walking through valleys of their own.

That's the real story behind this book.

It's not ultimately a story about publishing, endorsements, or opportunities.

It's a story about a faithful God who meets us in our hardest moments, walks with us through them, and then uses them for purposes far greater than we could ever imagine.

If this book encourages you in any way, I hope it points you to that truth.

The same God who carried us through our valley is carrying you through yours as well.

To check out my book or to grab your copy, go to motheringonempty.com