on Purpose

I receive a lot of e-mails from the good folks at Chicken Soup for the Soul. This is because my very first published work was an inspirational story in Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul back in 1999, I think. I held my breath for nearly a year while that story made the rounds of editors, moved into the "final cut" from 2,000 stories being considered for this project. You can imagine my pure JOY when I got the word that my story, "By Accident," would be included. I was especially grateful, because this story was first written at the request of my pastor, after I'd survived a riding accident that left me with 8 fractured ribs, back fractures, a bleeding lung, a broken neck . . . and a spinal cord injury. The neurosurgeon told me that I'd been only millimeters from the fate of Christopher Reeve, my long time hero. Humbled, is not a big enough word. The accident that nearly took my life . . . restored my faith.

It also started my writing career . . . and eventually led me to where I am now: honored to writing inspirational fiction for Tyndale House Publishers. Using the gifts I've been given to offer hope to others.

Imagine my amazement, then, when I recently received an e-mail from Chicken Soup telling me that this story--"By Accident"--has been chosen for a book in their new series, "The Best 101 Stories from Chicken Soup." The title of this one: Best Stories of Faith. My little story appears in the chapter called, "Divine Interventions." AND (goosebump warning) here's

the quote they printed below my title:

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible"~ Christopher Reeve.

I read that and was completely astounded. Hope, you see, is the theme of CRITICAL CARE, my first novel for Tyndale House.

Divine intervention? Oh, absolutely.

And I've no doubt that it's all part of a much bigger plan:

"By Accident" . . . was on Purpose.

I love it.