For those of you who have been following me for some time now you are aware I’ve been in the process of writing a book over the past year. Today I am happy to announce my first book, Beautifully Broken: Finding Hope During Loss has been published and is now available on Amazon for pre- order. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=beautifully+broken+pat+elsberry&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
When I began considering what the title of the book should be it didn’t take long for me to decide on Beautifully Broken. Not only does this so aptly describe my girl, but it is also derived from a poem Melanie wrote the year before she died. One day soon, I will share it here with you all.
Beautifully Broken is not just another book about child loss or grief. It’s actually a book about finding hope during loss. Yes, there is sadness, and there certainly is grief – there is absolutely no escaping this journey when we lose someone we love. But within the pages you will find encouragement and redemption – the kind which can only come from Jesus.
The most common question most people have been asking is, “Did you find writing your book to be cathartic and healing?” I can’t really say that it was, as I had to really dig into some memories and events I probably would rather have not unearthed. Processing grief is very complex, but when God is directing your path the most important thing to do is be obedient to the direction of the Holy Spirit and trust.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
While Beautifully Broken has definitely been a labor of love there were so many days I questioned myself. My friend Virginia, who is a new author herself and has a great blog, Following the Fortunato’s, hit the nail on the head in her recent blog post, Do It Anyway! Check it out here. She talked about the mean girl in her mind that kept telling her, no one is going to want to read your book. No one is going to want to hear your story. No one is…
These are the words I heard swirling around in my mind some days. There were so many days I came running from my office, falling to my knees, and asking the Lord if he was sure this was the direction I was supposed to go. On these days, it was definitely not healing, nor cathartic! Yet every single time I stopped writing and questioned God, it didn’t take long before someone came along with a word of confirmation and it was in a way that I just knew it couldn’t have come from anyone else but Him.
During this week of Thanksgiving I am most thankful for each of you. Thank you for your faithful following, comments of care and support. I hope you will be inspired to head to Amazon and order a copy of Beautifully Broken for yourself or for a friend. Let love, healing, encouragement, and redemption pour over you. And, more than anything else, know this:
You are never alone. There IS Hope During Loss!
Love, Pat
Ordered!!! I can’t wait!!! An author friend told me this week “God have YOU the gifts to communicate through your writing…and impact everyone who reads your book. It’s bigger than you” and I echo those words to you, Pat. THANK YOU for going to those deep and hard places, for sacrificing yourself, to give us this book. The world needs it!!!!
@virginialeefortunato Thank you… for your support and for your most encouraging words! 💜💜
Thank you for sharing this hard journey Pat. Your faith expressed in your writing is so beautiful and has has helped me so many days with my own grief experience. You are truly a warrior for Christ! I must echo a very gifted communicator as well. I can’t wait to read “Beautifully Broken”💜
@Lisa thank you so much! 💜❤️
It was so very courageous to publish your thoughts and emotions of the past months. Your book will bring comfort and healing and it will be a helpful resource for many who are struggling. Congratulations on bringing it to this point.
Leslie
@Leslie Thank you so much 💜