Book Drawing! “Holy Interruptions: When God Taps You on The Shoulder” by Debbie Dufek
I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to feature Holy Interruptions by Debbie Dufek. Her story is an exciting memoir of God’s work, along with an abundance of wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement.
Read below for instructions for entering the drawing. (Update: The drawing is closed. Sara is the winner!)
Blind to My Bleeding
by Debbie Dufek
We can walk with Jesus for decades and not recognize the need for a deeper work in our hearts. Just like this woman was losing blood and life was seeping out of her, I was bleeding emotionally, internally, but only God could see it–the bleeding of a still broken heart affecting relationships years later. He knew I needed to reach out and touch Him––it was a healing He alone could do. When I asked the Lord how this pain and grief could still be in me without me recognizing it, he brought back a memory—an analogy of a boil.
Physical Analogy of a Spiritual Condition
Once my husband had a nasty boil on his thigh. His leg was fire-red, swollen, and painful. He couldn’t walk without excruciating pain. The doctor gave him an antibiotic. After a week the pain was relieved, and the inflammation went away. About two weeks later, he was playing with the grandchildren, and stepped down hard on the leg that had been infected. Out popped a dark green, hard core. He wiped it off and discovered a clean crater-––an actual ¼ inch deep hole in circumference and depth in his leg where the infection had been. By all outward appearances, his leg looked as if it had been healed but that core, covered by skin on the surface, was still there and needed to be removed.
I had a core like that. The death of my father, losing him so quickly, left me with a hidden wound. The Lord brought healing in stages—even forty years later.
I had an invisible, deep-seated fear of abandonment. I saw myself as a healthy, Christian woman who loved the Lord and His people, yet I had this unseen wound that was festering under the surface, keeping me from fully opening my heart to the one I was supposed to love and trust the most–––my husband. Until that day, I had made an unconscious choice to seal off part of me that could be affected by the loss of the one I loved. I didn’t even know it. In the deepest part of me hidden pain festered. A place in my heart remained locked–––– like a locked room I was unaware of. But Jesus has the master key, and He unlocked that room and brought His healing light in, obliterating the darkness.
I had a freeing holy interruption that morning. I’m happy to say, that was the last (and deepest) work the Lord did in my heart regarding the loss of my father. I will always miss him, but the sting is gone now. I look forward to the day I am reunited with Daddy in Heaven. I can’t wait to hug him.
The crater left from that cleansing has been filled with a deeper holy assurance that God is my forever Father, and He will never leave me. I will never be abandoned.
Our emotions affect our physical health. Jesus brings healing.
If you’re struggling with lingering illness, it is His promise to bring streams in the desert and a path in the wilderness. Even if healing lingers or never comes this side of Heaven, Jesus will draw us close to His heart, giving us deeper understanding if we will allow Him to. My experiences traveling this road for several decades waiting for healing for my child is this: Jesus is faithful.
Never Abandoned
Are you bleeding? Do you feel your life is seeping out of you? Do you feel isolated or ostracized?
Don’t be afraid to crawl through your struggles and reach out to touch Jesus. He’ll know it’s you who touched Him.
He will do what it takes, in His perfect timing, to stop the bleeding. He knows your name. He calls you Daughter.
Excerpt taken from Chapter Six, He Called Me Daughter
Click on “Holy Interruptions” to learn more about Debbie’s book.
To enter the drawing, make a comment on this blog post. The drawing closes Wednesday evening, September 6th, 2023. Only USA addresses can win. UPDATE: THE DRAWING is closed. Sara is the winner.
Debbie Dufek is an author, a conference and retreat speaker, an inspirational storyteller, a Bible study writer and teacher, and the founder and coordinator of The Mom’s Luncheon, an annual all-day event that has remained a favorite day for 150+ women for 35 years. Debbie is a certified Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) P.O.W.E.R. Speaker and an AWSA Writing and Speaking Coach. Her first book, Holy Interruptions: When God Taps You on the Shoulder, published by Bold Vision Books, Friendswood, Texas, was released in October 2022.
Deb’s passion is encouraging others to live deliberately, living out our days for what matters to Jesus. She believes every person’s story is significant and inspires others to share their stories with whoever the Lord brings their way. We are all part of a larger picture. Embracing God’s plans and purposes for our lives, Jesus will use our stories to change the course of history which will affect the outcome of eternity-–-one heart at a time.
Debbie finds joy living in upstate New York, in the rambling 1840’s house where she and her husband, Bob, raised their family. They are surrounded by their seven children, twenty-two grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren most of whom live nearby.
Connect with her at: www.debbiedufek.com
Thank you for the opportunity to win the book. It looks like a good one
Thank you for putting your name into the drawing, Noelle. I agree, it is a good book.
Amen. Healing, spiritual. physical, and emotional, does not always come quickly. But, if we trust and stand in faith, it will come in God’s time. I’ve learned more from my healing journey than I have during those scant other times in my life. Enjoyed. Thank you for sharing.
J.D., how true. Thank you for sharing and putting your name into the drawing. If we can keep that truth in mind, we will be more joyful when the tries come knowing God even uses trials for our good.
The excerpt you chose has spoken to me already as I am dealing with something that I know I can’t heal and yet is causing me great pain. God alone is the great healer and I pray for this. I’m hoping to win so I can read the rest!
Thank you for letting us know, Sherry. I know Deb will be so pleased to hear this. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Thanks for the opportunity
You are very welcome, Amber. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Hi Kathy since we been emailing back amd fourth I have gotten two of your books I would like an opportunity to win this book to add to my collection.
With my mental health this book seems like I should read it.
That sounds wise, Teresa. If you don’t win the book, sounds like you would benefit from purchasing it.
Hi Teresa!I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed seeing a new book every month. I’ve entered your name into this drawing. God bless you.
Thank you for the chance to win this wonderful book. I can relate to the issues mentioned in the blurb. He healed me and I am forever grateful.
Thank you, Wen. I have entered your name into the drawing!
Wen,
Isn’t it wonderful how we never forget His healing hand in our lives? All part of our life message! Volumes written on our hearts about His faithfulness again and again!
Amazing woman…. This book is so inspiring and relatable to our daily lives……
You are right, Sara. Thank you for entering the drawing!
Thank you, Sweet Sara! so blessed you read it1
Congratulations, Sara! You are the winner of the drawing. I will connect you by email with Deb. Thank you for participating. We authors really appreciate it if readers write a review on amazon. Please keep that in mind. Thank you.
Hi girls,
I’m so happy to read so many comments! I’ve been blessed by them all. I’d love for all of you to read the book! It’s raw, and it’s real, and it’s full of Jesus, His goodness, His faithfulness, and many of the things He’s done in my life and the lives of 12 biblical women.
Each one of our lives is significant. God has plans and purposes for each one of us and when we are willing to share our stories of what the Lord has done in our lives, Jesus will use those stories to bring hope to the hearts and lives of others, which has the potential to change the course of history snd affect the outcome of eternity , one heart at a time. ❤️🙏🏻
I would love to receive comments and questions from you girls right here if have any. Let’s chat! ☺️
Thank you, Kathy! What a privilege it is to have you share my book with all of your readers. Happy Saturday everyone! ❤️☺️🙏🏻
You are very welcome, Debbie. I knew your book would be a blessing for my readers.
Sounds a bit like soul care. I would be interested in reading it.
I agree, Kat. Thanks for entering the drawing.
Hi Kat! It’s definitely about soul care! The best soul care we can get is knowing Jesus! He took my broken life and the lives of the women I’ve included and made us His own dear girls! Forever grateful
Thanks for your insight! You are right!
Just reading the excerpt generates healing for me. A reminder Jesus is our gentle healer when we reach out to Him. Blessings!
What a blessing that Jesus is our gentle healer, Mary Anne. I’m glad you found the excerpt healing. I’ve entered your name into the drawing.
Mary Anne,
I’m so blessed to hear the Lord is bringing healing to you. I’ll be praying He will pour out all He knows you need! Your words confirm what the Lord has shown me…how other hearts will be touched when we share what He’s done in our lives. Thank you for being sensitive to His heart and what He wants to do in you, through you, and for you! Bless you, Mary Anne!
Debbie’s book has been such a blessing to me. Thank you for sharing it here for many more to discover. I already have a copy, so no need to put my name in the drawing. I pray whoever wins it will be blessed beyond measure by the deep, healing truths they find there.
Thanks for your kind words, Lisa! I always appreciate your love and encouragement. Funny you should respond to this–––you’ve been on my heart lately! Love you!
Thank you, Lisa, for your sweet words of encouragement for Deb. And I’m so glad you dropped by my blog. God bless you.
Debbie and I went to school together and I have followed her witness and her love for Christ for quite a long time. It’s an honor to know this amazing lady! I would love to win! Thank you.
Laura, those are words of blessing for us all and encouragement for Debbie. I’ve put your name into the drawing. God bless you.
My Sweet Friend,
Isn’t it exciting to know that we will be in Heaven together forever!? And we both love jJesus! What a joy! Thanks for your kind words. Kathy is right. They are a big encouragement to my heart! Love you, Laura!
This is Kathy. I”m entering Rosalie into the drawing since she had trouble making the system work.