Leave It to Claire (34 page)

When this forced sabbatical began, I didn’t realize how far I’d wandered from the things in life that matter most. I hid from
the problems, and only when I decided to face things head-on did I finally understand that sometimes God chooses to give us
a reason for the tough things in life—like unapproachable kids, mothers who leave town in the middle of a crisis, ex-husbands
and their new wives, and a body that looks like a marshmallow—and sometimes He stays quiet and watches as we either follow
His lead and grow, or fall on our faces.

I admit I’m not necessarily the fastest learner, but during the past three months, I’ve learned that there is peace with surrendering
to God’s dealing in my life. I’m not all the way there yet where Rick and Darcy are concerned. I’m not thin, the kids aren’t
perfect, and Greg hasn’t proposed. But I’m not giving up. I’m pressing on, running my race. God is at the finish line with
a “Well done” and a pat on the back.

7. List to be amended as necessary. (amending)

8. Press on to the goal so that I may obtain the prize.

With a smile, I power up my computer, open a new document, and begin to write.

1. Approximately 50 percent of non-Christian marriages will end in divorce. Startlingly, Christian marriage statistics are
   neck and neck with these. How should the church deal with the victims (the children, the divorcees themselves, the new spouses
   of divorcees) of divorce? Are we doing enough?
   
2. Claire often uses pop culture, movies, the Internet, and food to deal with her issues. Do you turn to other things besides
   God for your comfort? Does it work?
   
3. Claire’s relationship with her mother is based on need; she leaned on her a lot following her divorce. What did she learn
   by letting go and beginning to handle life on her own? How does your relationship with your mother/grown daughter affect your
   life and decisions?
   
4. Do you relate positively or negatively to Claire’s parenting methods? Is she a good mom? Is there really any such thing?
   How do divorced couples effectively parent when they’re sharing responsibility with someone living outside the home?
   
5. How do Claire’s feelings about Rick affect her relationship with her children?
   
6. Even though Darcy met and married Rick well after Claire’s divorce, Claire still sees Darcy as “the other woman” in many
   ways. Why do you think that is?
   
7. When Claire finally surrenders to God, she experiences freedom for the first time in years. Has there ever been a time
   in your life when God met you at your darkest hour? Were you able to surrender or do you still struggle with bitterness about
   the past?
   
8. Is Greg the right kind of man for Claire? Why or why not?
   
9. Claire starts out to change her life. Do you set goals for your own life? Do you achieve them? Did Claire?
   

Leave It to Claire…

Claire Knows Best

Book Two in the Claire Everett Series

Claire Everett thought her life was finally on the right track. She’s connecting with her four kids and getting along with
her ex-husband and his pregnant wife. Now attending church regularly and dating Greg, the cute widower two doors down, Claire’s
world should be in order. So how come life has suddenly become such a juggling act?

A tornado rips through her roof, forcing a move for Claire and the kids. Greg has suddenly decided on a new career and Claire’s
not happy with his choice. Adding confusion to an already crazy situation, Van, the local contractor, is suddenly paying her
quite a bit of attention; her daughter’s rebellion is creating big challenges; and her writing career is cooling off instead
of heating up. So when panic attacks threaten to make her a prisoner in her own home, she breaks down and hires a life coach
to help her sort it all out. But is a life coach the answer?

Can Claire finally let go and admit that it is God who is directing her steps, or will she try to create her own destiny and
insist that Claire Knows Best?

AVAILABLE JUNE 2006