Recognizing Answered Prayers & A Big Announcement
- Holly Burnside
- Jul 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 23
Writing is something I’ve had a love for since I was a teenager, keeping a diary. In my adulthood, I spent too many years being distracted by work, relationships, children, and life in general. However, since 2021, I have been making an effort to get back to what I love.
Much of my writing is just for me, for the pure fun of doing so, writing words that will never be shared with anyone. Other writing will be something fun for my kids to look back on someday and laugh that mom actually wrote that. And slowly, I have been “filling the vault", as they say, compiling ideas for the works I someday aspire to publish.
I truly hope to be someone who can make a career solely from writing. When you’re starting from nothing, it can be tough to navigate how to do so. And I understand that most writers require multiple streams of revenue to be successful in their journey. Where do you even begin?
The best place to start is in prayer. I know that when God’s hands are in something, it is always blessed. I have seen it in my personal life as I have lived obediently to God leading me. And it has always proved true in my business, which I started in 2018 after being led by God to do so.
Opportunities
Of course, when I want my trajectory to change once again, I want it to be in the way God wants me to go. So, I have been praying. For years now, through my writing journey, I have been praying for opportunities to come my way. God was absolutely faithful to me in that!
An opportunity for growth in my writing emerged as I found Hope*Writers. I spent some time in the hope*writing community, which has a lot to offer anyone at any stage of writing. It was a way for me to learn, grow, and connect with other people in the writing and publishing industry.
After a few months in the community, a fellow hope*writer reached out to me and offered a chance to sit in with the hope*circle he was a part of. This small group consisted of three writers who met weekly to help with encouragement and accountability in their writing. I was honored that they invited me to be a regular part of their group. Later, we added one more. The five of us became good friends and we still stay in touch, even though we no longer meet weekly.
While in the hope*circle, I was asked to be interviewed on a podcast. I never thought I would be someone whose voice would be out there in the world for others to hear in such a way. It was a great experience and opportunity to speak about my writing and where God was taking me at that time.
I noticed that while I was persistent in the way I was going, God was persistent in giving me small chances to learn, practice, and be seen in the community. While I didn’t have much experience, I was gaining a little at a time as I continued to press on. Until I stopped.
Pause
Life doesn’t always allow us the chance to continue in the things we know we’re supposed to be doing. Sometimes the pause button is pushed, whether it is God who presses it or us. Sometimes other things need to be handled first. Or maybe we need a break. Or, maybe we have a piece that is missing, which must be acquired before moving forward.
But the pause button does not mean the story is over. There is a play button, which can allow us to pick up right where we left off. It doesn’t mean God changed the plan. We just took a detour.
Play
That is where I find myself now. At the end of a detour, and getting back on the road once again. Writing is the journey, publishing, the destination. And again, I am praying for God to open up doors of opportunity for me, so I can finally build the writing career I long to have.
As we spend our time praying for the things we want God to bring our way, we must also be sure that we don’t miss it when it comes! Our answered prayers don’t always appear with our name clearly written on them. There are no flashing neon signs that tell us “This is it”. We do not always hear the fatherly voice of God telling us this is what he wants us to choose next.
Answered Prayers
Sometimes the answers to our prayers show up quietly. And if we’re not paying attention, we could easily miss them. When we do see them, it is good to question if this is right. But if we overthink it, we may make the choice to pass up what God is giving us due to our fear of the unknown.
But when we quiet our hearts and minds, remain in prayer, direct our questions to God, and put our trust in Him, He will be faithful to be sure and let us know that “Yes, this is what I am giving you.”
This is my story. Prayers for opportunity. An email in my inbox that could have easily been overlooked. An opportunity inside which would lead to what I’ve hoped for. A day spent praying over whether this was something I should do or not. Some practice writing to see if I could even come up with the words. A pro-con list written out. An unexpected text message from my pastors saying they were praying for me and hoped that I would be surrounded by the presence of God. Little arrows popping up in unexpected ways, leading me to take this opportunity.
Faith > Fear
Fear could have easily stopped me. If I do this, I don’t know what will actually come of it. It will require money, and I am trying to save right now. Would anyone even want to read the words I write? What if my writing isn’t good enough? Maybe I am just an impostor who doesn’t belong here.
But fear did not win—Faith is what won that day! And now, here I am writing to you, sharing my story, and letting you know that I have amazing news. I boldly took that opportunity!
Big Announcement
I am thrilled to share with you that on August 11th, 2025, I will officially be a published author!
Thanks to Hope*Books, I was given the chance to join a collaborative book! In this book, there are ten authors who have each written one chapter. We are all entrepreneurs or businessmen and women who have wisdom we want to share with those who are looking to also be entrepreneurs and who want to start their own businesses. Our book is called “Built to Endure”.
If ever you have thought about starting your own business, you have the opportunity to hear from ten people who have been successful in their endeavors. Be sure to snag your copy and read what worked for them. We believe in you! And we want to help you by giving you the advice you need to get started.
More Info on the Way
This is a huge step forward for me in my writing journey! I was hesitant, but I am so happy I chose to take a leap of faith and share my story. It would have been so easy for me to miss this. And sometimes, that’s how it goes. Think about the things you look back on and wish you had chosen differently. Don’t let your business idea be the same story for you!
For more information and the latest updates, be sure to follow my Instagram page. Starting August 1st, I will be sharing more leading up to the launch of Built to Endure. Also, don’t miss the live stream event happening August 11th!