This month I will be opening up about who I am, why I write, what I write, and the struggles I and my characters face.

I grew up in a card playing family. Some of my fondest memories of my parents are of us sitting around their kitchen table with my kids playing ponytail canasta or golf. This is what I’ve learned: The uncontrollable part of playing cards is the hand you’re dealt. You’re chance of winning is greatly improved by the better cards. But there is another determining factor to consider, strategy, or how you use the cards in your hand.

The reason I bring this up is because I’m learning the strategies involved in giving my novel the best chance of being successful, and just like teaching someone how to play a new game of cards, I want to lay all my cards on the table.

So why did I choose this title? It’s because each word — faith, trust, strategy — is like a card in my hand.

There is a big part of me that wishes I only needed the first two cards to play the game. Faith and trust can be held close to the chest, but strategy needs to be played to hold value.

I can learn all the strategies of those who have successfully launched a book, but if I don’t try them for myself I’ll never know if they work for me.

Writing my blog has now morphed into part of strategy #1: let people get to know you. So let me tell you about my two cards, faith and trust.

I was not raised in a church-going family, but a typical American, somewhat Christian home. My faith in God started with a Christian friend and has been growing for over 50 years. Going through hard times made me draw closer to God, and the more I came to know him, my faith grew and I learned to trust him.

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬-‭14‬, ‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Time and again I saw God’s hand working in my life.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.‬‬

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT

The scriptures came alive, feeding my faith and strengthening my trust in God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.‬‬

Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT

And God has shown me paths. I’m not always perfect in consulting him. I want to depend on my own understanding. After all, isn’t that our natural tendency?

God is not against understanding, but he differentiates our understanding from his wisdom.

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And here:

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.‬‬

James‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT

That brings me to my third card, strategy. Laying it on the table, this is what it looks like: I will be asking for your participation. Here, on Facebook, on Instagram, and in subscribing to my newsletter. Comments, shares, and likes are a means to get seen by more people. Though I dislike the idea of self-promotion, and you might think I just want to make money selling my book, the truth is I’m not expecting to cover my costs. What my heart desires is that my book, just like my blog, will find the person who is meant to read it.

So please consider taking action, not to boost my ego, but to help someone in your circle see their value when they can’t see it on their own.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram , or subscribe to my newsletter Sandy Blackburn Writes.

(Man, this seems scary. Asking people to help — to give time and support — stirs up all my insecurities.)

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

Image created in Canva.