A Texas pastor has a million reasons to go...
and just one to stay: her
Searching for a new start, Pastor Shaun O’Grady can’t wait for his next foreign missionary assignment…until he begins working with Brooke Willoughby on the church’s Christmas outreach program. Even as they clash over program specifics, Shaun and Brooke are drawn to each other. Now Shaun’s not sure where he belongs: overseas for his ministry, or at home by Brooke’s side...
Award-winning author MYRA JOHNSON writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life and faith. She is a two-time finalist for the ACFW Carol Award and winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart® Award. Married since 1972, Myra and her husband have two married daughters and seven grandchildren. Although Myra is a native Texan, she and her husband now reside in North Carolina, sharing their home with two pampered rescue dogs.
Rancher for the Holidays
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The Rancher’s Redemption
Their Christmas Prayer
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk
Their Christmas Prayer
Myra Johnson
ISBN: 978-1-474-09753-6
THEIR CHRISTMAS PRAYER
© 2019 Myra Johnson
Published in Great Bri tain 2019
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
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“Oh, but you’d look so handsome in a—”
Face reddening, Brooke pulled her lips between her teeth.
Heat infused Shaun’s face, too, even as his chest swelled at the compliment. Before he realized he was going to ask, he blurted, “Any chance you’d save me from going stag?”
Her eyelids fluttered. “Wow. Wasn’t expecting that.”
“Just thought it would be more fun to attend with a friend, especially since we’re both fairly new to town and probably won’t…” He let the thought fade away.
“Yeah.” The word came out on a sigh. She tucked her fingertips into her jeans pockets.
“I’d love to attend the wedding with you. Thanks. Now I really must go shopping.”
He thought she looked beautiful just as she was, paint-soaked jeans and all, and was about to tell her so before he abruptly came to his senses. Had he really been about to resort to shameless flirting? Because, seriously, this could go nowhere.
Nowhere.
As human beings, we naturally want to be in control, to make our plans and see them through. This was certainly the struggle Brooke and Shaun faced. Each in their own way, they had to learn how to let go of their own agendas and turn everything over to God.
Releasing control can be a struggle for me, too. I think I know what’s best for me, and my tendency is to push ahead until I make it happen...or make the situation worse. The problem is, I’m not God. He sees the whole picture—past, present and future—while all I can see is my own little part of it. I really don’t know what’s best for me, after all.
Yes, letting go can be scary. But as Shaun understood, all God asks of us is that we take each step in faith. If we’re trusting in Him, He won’t let us stray. The path won’t always be easy, and we may face periods of discouragement, but God’s best is always worth waiting for, no matter how long it takes.
Thank you so much for joining me in this return to Juniper Bluff for Brooke and Shaun’s story. The Texas Hill Country is very special to me, and I’m delighted to call it home once again.
I love to hear from readers, so please contact me through my website, www.MyraJohnson.com, or write to me c/o Love Inspired Books, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.
Keeping all my readers in my prayers,
Myra
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
—Isaiah 64:4
For my family of pastors, pastors’ wives and missionaries, all faithful servants of our awesome God: Peter and Johanna, Ben and Julena, Jim and Judy; and in memory of my late father-in-law, Reverend Lester Johnson.
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