Friday, February 21, 2014

Elizabeth Seckman's Visit Is What Fate Intended

I love having the wonderful--and wonderfully talented--Elizabeth Seckman visit anytime. She's cream of the crop, but then you guys already know that. Elizabeth has been on tour promoting Fate Intended and was gracious enough to make a stop here.

Please welcome one of Charlie's Scribes.


Hello Jeff. I know losing your love, Myra, has been a heavy weight on you, but I'm glad you're back. We all love you and offer up some big virtual hugs.

When I was thinking of topics for this stop, one kept jumping into my head.

I'd think, nah...people will think I’m crazy.

But the thought wouldn't go away, so I am going to share it.

I believe in Heaven.

Heaven with a capital H. Like it's so real to me, I think it should have a zip code. 

My big brother, Grub (nickname...goofy family...enough said?), was an atheist most of his adult life. 

When he was diagnosed with an advanced stage, highly aggressive cancer, he remained stubbornly entrenched in his "the Bible is a fairy tale" thinking. Talk of religion would so infuriate him...he even cussed a nun who came to pray with him.

So, I kept my mouth shut and prayed God would intervene.

One day I went to the hospital to visit him and he was sitting with this little old man. The old fella was iconic West Virginia good old boy...complete with worn blue jeans and suspenders. The man stood as I came in and said it was time for him to go, but would my brother pray with him before he left?

I thought, Oh, boy…poor old fella is going to get an earful. But, without hesitation, my brother said yes. He winked at me and said, "Come on Grits (another crazy nickname…seriously, what is wrong with my family?) come on over here and pray with us."

Shocked doesn't cover it. I was stunned. I went over and took his hand and the old fella’s hand and the tears just started rolling. I wanted to ask, but didn’t dare…was he being polite (and feeling guilty for the nun) or was he having a change of heart?

After the man left, he told me:
I'm only saying this once, and I don't want any I told you so's. I just think you should know...when everyone leaves at night, I'm not alone. I suppose you'd call Him Jesus, or whatever, but at night, He's here with me. I can see Him. I can touch Him. Now that could be the crazy sh*t they're dosing me with before bed, but to me, He’s as real as you are. I think I understand what you’ve been nagging me about for so long. Now, that’s all I’m saying. It’s personal, between me and Him.

So, why does my big brother meeting Jesus make me believe there is a Heaven? Well, because Jesus said there was a Heaven, and if He is making hospital calls, then He is real.


Fate Intended is the third book in the Coulter Men Series.  Trip is the last of the Coulter sons to find love. He’s a handsome man with all the skills a young spy needs to succeed. But when it comes to love, he misses the target. Jane is a sweet beauty who may or may not be wanted for murder. She’s hiding out as a cleaning lady when chance brings her and Trip together. It looks like a happily ever after is in the cross hairs until reality tries to destroy what fate has intended.


Elizabeth Seckman is a simple chick with a simple dream…to write stories people want to read.
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39 comments:

  1. okay, so "heaven isn't too far away" song totally popped in my mind. big hugs and juicy kisses to you both. I heart this post!!

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  2. I am a non believer - but not dogmatic about it. And I love the comfort that Grub found, and by so finding gave to Elizabeth. Gorgeous post, and thank you.

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    1. Thank you. I appreciate the kind words and the respect. I know to a non-believer, I probably sound like a kool-aid drinking, crutch grabber who is desperate to believe in an after life. Hugs to you, Elephant's Child.

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  3. Glad you're able to have beliefs you can feel so confident about and take comfort in, Elizabeth!

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    1. Thank you Heather :)
      There are few things in this life I feel confidence in, but my faith is one.

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  4. What a lovely story, glad you decided to share it with us.

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    1. Thanks Suzanne. I hate to be the preachy type, so I wasn't definitely on the fence!

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  5. Wow I have a lump in my throat. My maternal gradmother who died in my teens also believed in heaven and I believe they're both in God's arms right now. Thanks for sharing such a personal story with us Elizabeth.

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    1. Hugs Sheena-kay. One day, when we're all in Heaven, you will have to introduce me to her!

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  6. Elizabeth, that is just a miracle of a story. What a blessing your brother finally believes. Yes, there is a Heaven and a Jesus!

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    1. I can't even relate the feeling of relief I had that day. I knew I was losing my brother and I just ached. After that, it wasn't easy to say good-bye, but I didn't feel crushed. You know what they say about the very wide net cast by the fisherman...

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  7. I needed to read this today. Thanks, Jeff, for hosting her; thanks, Elizabeth for a wonderful start to the day. I'd love to hear about Grub's progress (Grub is my niece's nickname for my nephew—yeah, we're weird, too).

    M.L. Swift, Writer

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    1. Knuckle bumps for weird families Michael! I'm glad it helped you today. It was one of those posts that logic told me not to write, but it kept nibbling at my heart to share.

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  8. I'm an agnostic, so I enjoyed the story. Also like the sound of your books. Thanks for hosting Elizabeth today Jeff.

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    1. Thanks Jo :)
      It was organized religion that turned my brother off about faith in the first place. Priests molesting kids and ministers stealing from the poor, they do better work for the devil than a fiend like Hitler. Hugs

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  9. That is so precious! Jesus came to him.

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  10. I believe in heaven, too.
    ( I vote for 77777. LOL)

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  11. Oh, PS, Jeff... I read your story in Seers.
    Good stuff, my friend. Very clever angle. :)

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    1. Thanks, Melissa! I had fun writing that one. Lots of possibilities present themselves when you think outside the box--or inside the ball. ;-)

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  12. It's so difficult when someone is closed to faith, locking out the love and peace and strength offered by God. And it is so wonderful when that door is opened and the light enters their life. One of my favorite books is The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. It's about a ghost who takes a bus ride from hell to Heaven, and witnesses the reasons people/souls turn away from Heaven and paradise.

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    1. I have never read that book. To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure what it was about. You have convinced me. I need to read it ASAP!

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  13. Elizabeth, what can I say? You are a true gift. And to those of you who thanked me for hosting Elizabeth, I can honestly say it was my pleasure.

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    1. You are always the sweetest Jeff! Definitely a blessing to all who know you!

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  14. I'm a Buddhist but I think that's a wonderful and very touching story and I believe in the peace that true faith can give, regardless the specifics. Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth! And thanks for hosting, Sir Jeff!

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    1. Hugs Al. Believers coma in all shapes, sizes, and theologies.

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  15. Wow! Best post of the week. My wife has caught people on their death bed. They had a moment of awareness, accepted the Lord, then died. Glad to hear your brother will be waiting for you Elizabeth.

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    1. Isn't it amazing? Those last few minutes can be the most profound.

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  16. Hey Jeff and the lovely Elizabeth,

    Yes, fate intended I leave one of my eagerly anticipated comments. A story of touching hope and faith. Although I am not religious, although spiritual, I respect this profound posting.

    Be well and thank you for this.

    Gary :)

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    1. I always eagerly await a Gary visit. Hugs my friend.

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  17. That is such an uplifting story! Amazing how faith and love can find us even when we're not looking for it.

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    1. You hit the nail on the head there Nicole. It finds us, sometimes even when we try to hide!

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  18. Beautiful post, Liz. So glad you had her today, Jeff. I'm a believer too. :)

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    1. Life is sweeter for the believer (ugh. That sounded like a bad Justin Bieber quote, but I'm leaving it...you will find the giggle in it)

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  19. Hi Jeff and Elizabeth - this seems like a timely posting ... and so good to read. My mother believed and her faith was a huge help through her illness ..

    My thoughts Jeff and thanks for Elizabeth as a Charlie's Scribe posting here - just what we all needed ... Hilary

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    1. It is the one thing that has saved my sanity Hilary. Life can be rough. I prefer not to attempt it alone.

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  20. I'm not a believer, at least not in the religious sense, but I am happy for all those who find comfort in it.

    And Elizabeth, I'm currently reading your first Coulter book ... AT LAST. :D

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