In the Summer of 2023, my late wife Mary Madden was sick, frustrated, and ready for her Lord to take her home. As she described it, “I was having a pity party.” He responded to her, “You’re not done yet. I need you to write a book.” “Excuse me Sir”, she exclaimed. “What do I know?”, she asked. “Write what you know”, He replied. After she pondered that comment for a few days she decided to write a book on her Christian journey and the many potholes she had hit along the way, but more importantly what she did to get out of them and how to avoid them in the future. She wanted others to learn from her mistakes.
Writing a book proved to be quite the task. It required both a commitment of time and effort on both of us. With limited vision and a failing body she took a leap of faith and began to write immediately. She, being bound to a lift chair all day, wrote each chapter in a separate “Apple NOTE heading” while she used a very large font that she could see. She filled the pages up rather quickly. She was always so good with words and they just flowed as the Father aided her on their mission. This proved to be the EASIEST PART of her journey. It only took her about three months for her to complete the original manuscript of her book. She couldn’t believe that she had completed it so quickly!
Next we had to find a publisher. We settled on a price and then she went shopping. If there was a deal to be found, she’d find it. Like her Mom she possessed great skills at negotiating. After several weeks she discovered Xulon Press and immediately made a connection with their sales associate Shelly Witt. They were like two peas in a pod and talked for hours at length. Agreements were finally made, a contract signed, and payments rendered. All that was left to do was provide a book. No problem, right? Not so much. We were so glad that we had established a budget beforehand. It provided her some leveraging room as she was not interested in any of the marketing campaigns. That would later be my part. For her it was all about the book!
Editing was the obvious next step and it was a doozy. She immediately jumped in. The problem with this was that each time she made corrections she made even more changes and thus added many more words, sentences, and then even chapters. Her book grew day by day. It eventually grew to over 50 pages and 2 chapters longer. She had combed through the manuscript six or seven times and at that point was ready for someone else to come in and assist. Most publishing companies provided that service, but it was very pricey! Others were summoned to help. Jodie her sister was first, then friends Patti (and daughter) and Vicki aided in her rescue. Each had their part and hand to play in His work. Some for grammar and structure, others supported and encouraged her, and yet others helped her to see how very different people reacted to her book. This process was by far the longest. It took well over 5-6 months. At some point we were just DONE! It was all very emotional and draining. Many never make it this far. We were determined to FINISH THE RACE and to STAY THE COURSE before us! He was our strength during this time and He provided everything that was needed to complete the task.
We then contacted Xulon Press and informed them that we had finished the book. They informed us to SIMPLY download it into a “Word formatted document” and send. Do what? We had only Apple computers/tablets/phones with NO Microsoft Word processors. Let it be said that for two adults from the Baby Boomer generation this presented a huge problem. It took an ACT OF GOD and well over a month to complete. Whew! Xulon Press at this point provided a “one-time editing service” to catch any major issues such spelling, etc. that we may have missed. It wasn’t detailed, but it was yet another set of eyes. We both were so delighted that she had negotiated this service into our contract. Weeks later that was finally completed and it was sent back to us for the FINAL APPROVAL. We both re-read the book for one final time, prayed, and hit the SEND button. It now was in His hands as Xulon Press commenced to print her book. We were both elated and exhausted. It was a true labor of love.
Months went by and we waited and waited. Mary’s health began to decline, but her faith NEVER WAVERED. She stayed the course. She had prayed and asked the Father “if she could feel her book in her hands before she passed.” At the end of June, she was hospitalized for a week. Two days after coming home from the hospital stay, her book finally arrived. She was so proud! What an accomplishment under such formidable conditions. I captured her smile as she felt the cover in her hands while glancing down at her name scrolled across the cover. Job WELL DONE my love! Three days later, while I was at work, our daughter Serena came by and read to her OUT LOUD the chapters that she was a part of while Mary listened in her chair, eyes closed and heart so full. The next day her Lord and Savior took her home. Wow, but God!!! His timing is perfect and complete. May you all enjoy HER LABOR OF LOVE as SHE WROTE WHAT SHE KNEW in obedience to her Lord and Savior!
