Catherine Campbell reflects on her journey

1. Why was it important to you to write Journey With Me?

Devotionals have played a big part in my life, especially during the times when life’s journey was difficult. Down through the years when we cared for our two profoundly disabled daughters there were times when my concentration for in-depth Bible study was poor, that’s when I relied heavily on devotionals. God used them to speak into situations where I felt helpless. It always amazed me how God used a short reading, sometimes written years earlier, to meet my need so powerfully for specific days and situations. So writing ‘Journey With Me’ seemed a natural progression in my writing, following on from my previous forty day devotionals, ‘Rainbows for Rainy Days’ and ‘Chasing the Dawn’. It’s now my prayer that God will use my writing to encourage others in ways I could not have known when I was writing it.

2. Whose writing do you look to for inspiration?

I’ve always loved the inspirational writings of Jill Briscoe, Joni Erickson Tada, and Max Lucado, while Amy Boucher Pye’s The Living Cross is an impactful Lenten read. They write from the heart. I’ve found that writers who are prepared to open their lives for us to look into have a great impact on my life. It certainly gives their expositional material more kudos when I read it.

3. What has been your favourite part of promoting your book?

Interacting with readers. Journey with Me is my seventh title now, and I’m always humbled when people come back looking for the next one! Sensing another’s excitement and anticipation when they get to hold your new book is the strangest feeling… yet also nerve-racking. You always wonder - will they like it this time round?

4. Which book have you been recommending to everyone lately?

For me it’s got to be Emily Owen’s lovely little volume The Power of Seven. She has the most beautiful use of words, and how she mixes prose with poetry really touches your heart, and that from a woman who isn’t a lover of poetry! Added to which, Emily opens up her life and difficult journey with her readers. She, and her writings are indeed a treasure.

5. What do you look forward to most in 2019?

Getting the time to start writing number eight! The idea is already there, and I’m excited that it’s somewhat different than my previous work… I just need to plan time into my day again to get on with it. Oh, and I’m looking forward to a holiday in May!