Hi there!
I’m Margaret McBride, author of “That Melvin Bray”, loving sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and resident of the wonderful state of Georgia. My husband Dan and I live in a small vibrant community just outside of Atlanta. I’m going to begin my blogging adventure by telling you my inspiration for writing my book.
Four years ago I was sick as dog and just simply could not get well. I’d been in bed for several weeks and finally actually became depressed. One of my darling nieces thought a “good book” would help me, so she sent me a copy of a little book titled “The Shack”. Well, I began reading it and within a couple of days I was feeling better. A few days later I felt like a new person—key word there, “new”. In case you haven’t read “The Shack”, it’s all about loss and forgiveness.
I’d been living the life of a Christian since I was eleven years old—quite a long time, since I had just turned sixty-two while sick. However, until I got sick and read that little book, I was unable to admit to myself that I was not only physically sick, but suffering spiritually as well. A sick soul is a sad soul, believe me. As I began to get in touch with my heart, I also continued my physical recovery. Then I began writing a personal journal asking myself what was really wrong with me.
That’s when I realized that I’d been carrying around this huge grudge against my father, an abusive alcoholic. For many years, my Mother, my siblings and I lived the kind of life no one wants to talk about. There were bundles of love and joy between Mother and us kids, however, my father was a terrifying experience to endure.
As a result of “The Shack”, I was able to finally get in touch with myself, heart and mind working together, to uncover the secret I had hidden so long ago and so deeply in my heart—the fact that I had never forgiven my father. Honestly, I don’t think I was ever even aware of this fact.
That’s when I realized that my life had been missing something for many years and while reading the book, it became crystal clear to me what it was, and that I had to change that in order to truly claim my life, the greatest gift God had ever given me—Life, itself! So I began to walk on my own road to forgiveness. That’s when I took my little journal and turned it into a book, “That Melvin Bray”.
My heart is abundantly lighter now, because I have forgiven my father…I know it and God knows it. How do I know, you ask? Well, now when I think of my daddy, I will imagine a time when he was NOT full of alcohol and anger…yes, there were only a few of those times, but enough to hold on to, and then I feel a smile spreading across my face. That’s how I know I have finally forgiven my father.
This week let’s all think about who we need to forgive and consider this: we are the winners when we forgive and if you’re not sure about this, then just go and FORGIVE someone and you’ll see. Amen!
GOD is Good! GOD is Great!! Always!!!
I love you,
Margaret
My novel, “That Melvin Bray” , a spiritual thriller is available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/That-Melvin-Bray-Margaret-McBride/product-reviews/1458212122
Author Margaret McBride 