Book Launch
How does it feel to launch a book?
I had the great joy of celebrating the book launch on March 3 back where it all started: Irving Bible Church in Dallas, TX. The men and women of IBC lived David’s life and death with us, carried our family through the most painful season of our lives, and have continued to love all four Steins so well.
The first words I typed of Mourning God was the dedication to the women of IBC, and in many ways, the people of IBC informed and shaped the content of Mourning God. In a full circle moment, I got to stand on stage and offer the book back to the people of IBC and say, “Look what we did together. We wrote a book!” They shared with me the comfort they had received from God, and now I get to share that same comfort with others (2 Cor 1:3-4).
Several have asked what the book launch felt like, and the best way to describe it is to say that it felt like all of my favorite things plus More. Gatherings at IBC always involved laughter, tears (mine and often, Pastor Barry’s 😉), hugs, flowers and chocolate (if it was a women’s event), delicious food, and the goodness of God preached and experienced corporately. The book launch celebration was all those things, just dialed up More.
There were more friends, more flowers, more chocolate, more celebration, more joy, more gratitude, more hugs, more tissues used, and more genuine love expressed in that one room than my heart could hold. I got to do a live Q&A with my dear friend Lauren Geppert, reconnect with treasured friends, meet new ones, pray over those suffering, and share the reason for my hope. I proclaimed the goodness of God in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13-14) and received the stories of those who have walked through the fire as well as those who are currently in it. And through it all, I was reminded that I am held, and so are you.
I was held in the dark night of the soul, I am held now, and I will always be held by the One who never lets go. Praise God for the Man of Sorrows who not only draws near in our mourning, but who is himself, the joy in the morning. You are held.
Weeping may stay overnight,
but there is joy in the morning (Psalm 30:5).