The Book I Almost Gave Up Writing

I nearly gave up writing my newest book, number seven, releasing today, Tuesday, 4/21/2026.

Like all my books, the idea stemmed not from what I know but from what I didn’t. For years I felt a great tension in church and in public conversations of faith between exercising mercy (compassion) and justice or truth. People talked as if they were in endless, unresolvable conflict.

And yet . . .

In Jesus, mercy and justice or truth dwelled in harmony. Micah 6:8 NKJV says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Not only is Jesus at peace with both mercy and justice, He expects us to do justice and love mercy without conflict as well.

So, I proposed a book exploring 40 Bible verses that talk about mercy. I would dig deep into God’s Word and emerge with some kind of understanding.

One third of the way into writing the book, I stopped. I couldn’t continue. Not because of writer’s block but because I saw all too clearly that mercy is at the center of God’s heart. Compassion is at His core and I became overwhelmed with God’s beauty, His holiness, His perfect justice, and His deep, abiding mercy. How would I, this writer who likes to be funny? who likes to be a little sarcastic? who likes to serve a bit of humor with the greater truth, how would I ever do justice to mercy?

I talked with my agent. I prayed. I prayed more. Finally, I confessed to God that I couldn’t write this book and He agreed.  I couldn’t write it without leaning on Him.

And so, I wrote a book “on my knees” praying through every word.

Writing this book changed me and I pray that reading it changes you. I feel better equipped in discussions of mercy and justice. I feel calmer about God’s comprehensive compassion, His grace, and His just truth. And, I trust more that He will equip me as I become a “student of mercy” as He challenged the Pharisees to become. If studying mercy is the cure for self-righteousness, sign me up for that program!

Years ago, an eleven-year-old boy taught me so much about mercy and justice. His mother had tried to kill her children. Harry (not his real name) was the oldest and stood between his brothers and sisters and the meat cleaver in Mom’s hand. Somehow, he also managed to call 9-1-1.

At court, seated in the witness stand, he waved at his mom. Her lawyer asked him, “Harry, you love your mom, don’t you?”

Harry nodded, “Of course I love my mom.”

The lawyer continued, “Good. Good. Then Harry, how can you love your mom and think she should go to jail?”

Harry squinted at the public defender. “That sounds like something Mom would say. You’ve gotta watch out for her. And if she told you she has money to pay you, she’s lying to you, Sir.”

The judge hid a smile and instructed Harry to just answer the question.

Harry nodded. “I don’t like thinking about my mom being in prison but she did try to kill us. I punched a kid at school once and I got suspended so I could think about what I did. I had to write and apology and then I was on probation until I could prove I wouldn’t do it again. If that’s what I got just for one punch, why don’t YOU think my mom should spend at least some time in jail for what she did? That doesn’t mean I don’t love my mom.”

Mercy and justice are only in conflict because in our sinful minds, we manufacture that conflict. As we reconcile with God, the truth becomes more clear and we see the harmony that Jesus sees.

Which matters because God’s Word tells us to ” be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

To know how to “be,” we must be intimately familiar with what He is. God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

My book releases today. I would love for you to read it and spread the message of mercy to others. Most of all, I’d love for you to experience His mercy for YOU and reflect it in our times.

Then, like me, you’ll know deep in your heart where it matters that even in merciless times, God’s mercy triumphs!

Let me know your thoughts! If you’re so inclined, post an honest review on Amazon or other booksellers. Invite me to speak to your women’s group about God’s Abundant Mercy. Embracing this message could bring much needed light to our dark times.

Thank you for reading and commenting! I respond to every comment and reply to every email as always!

***Many readers received a MAILCHIMP GLITCH generated email yesterday. I did not send that but I do apologize for the confusion! Thanks for hanging in there with me!