"The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." —Anais Nin
A close-knit community of Christian women writers share compelling and courageous personal journeys of transformation and growth toward finding their unique voices and invite other women to join them on the beautiful journey.
From matters of politics to education, from social justice to health and wellness and beyond, this has been a year for the voices of women to ring out, and the Women of Redbud Writers Guild add their voices to the swell: voices of honesty, faith, deep spirituality, and generous wisdom. In their new book, Everbloom: Stories of Deeply Rooted and Transformed Lives, edited by Shayne Moore and Margaret Ann Philbrick, they speak out on behalf of those women who might not have found their own voices yet, sharing stories of their own personal transformations, discoveries, and overcomings.
In forty stories, from global campaigns against social injustice and poverty, to the most intimate retellings of miscarriages and stillbirths, these Women of Redbud Writers Guild share a clarion call to all women: there is no pain that cannot be redeemed by the grace of God, no God-given voice that should be silenced, no one for whom the love of God through Jesus Christ will ever fall short.
Each of the diverse Women of Redbud Writers Guild — comprised of authors, lawyers, doctors, pastors, journalists, wives, mothers, and more — are as fascinating as the stories they share, for example:
- Shayne Moore, a founder of Redbud and author of Global Soccer Mom, tells her story of a visit to Kenya to learn more about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and becoming a voice for the voiceless
- Margaret Ann Philbrick, who began her career advertising Pop-Tarts for Kellogg's, now plants seeds in hearts, having surrendered her life to the cross of Jesus Christ, and shares her poem "We Write"
- Emily Gibson, wife, mother, farmer, and family physician, chronicles the heritage of the farm where she and her husband now raise their sons, specifically the woodlot where the trees have been watered with tears after the suicide of a 14-year-old boy
- Alia Joy, writer, speaker and blogger, shares what it was like growing up Asian American, and how the "sin of omission" - neglecting to show women like her to the rest of America - is one of the worst types of oppression
- Lindsey W. Andrews, lawyer, blogger and social media maven, exposes the depth of her rage and restoration with God at the suicide of her brother and the untimely, sudden death of her father
But the writers of Everbloom do not stop with the recounting of their own stories: following each is an invitation, prompting the reader to take a moment and find their own voice in a prayer of thanksgiving, grief, doubt, or even rage, and reflect on what she discovers. As the editors so eloquently write, Everbloom is "Dedicated to all women who have yet to find freedom in Christ in order to embrace their story and share it with the world. We believe in you, and we pray this book will help you `Walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help."
"Once I began reading these stories I couldn't stop. Each writer is a strong woman who has learned much from life and God. Gritty, funny, painful, affirming. No punches are pulled, but grace abounds." —Luci Shaw, poet, author of The Thumbprint in the Clay
"Readers will find gold within these pages. Excellent writing often springs from deep sorrow that has softened hearts, widened vision, and pressed its bearer into the Man of Sorrows." — Dee Brestin, author of The Friendships of Women
Redbud Writers Guild is a community of Christian women who create in community and who influence culture and faith. Redbud members strive to change the world with words as we foster a safe sisterhood of creatives who thrive in a supportive community.
Editor Shayne Moore is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Redbud Writers Guild and the author of Refuse to Do Nothing: Finding Your Power to Abolish Modern Day Slavery, and Global Soccer Mom; Changing the World is Easier Than You Think, chronicling her work with the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Editor Margaret Ann Philbrick is a board member of the Redbud Writers Guild and an author, gardener and teacher. Her novel, A Minor: A Novel of Love, Music and Memory released to critical acclaim in 2014 and her poetry is featured in the recently released Lenten devotional, Between Midnight and Dawn.
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