TheBanyanTree: Last Page First by LaRose Karr

[LaRose Karr]

LAST PAGE FIRST by LaRose Karr

In 1999 I was attending a "Women of Faith" conference in Denver, Colorado.
I was wondering around looking at book tables when I felt God speaking to me
and saying, "You will be signing books and speaking to women."

Now I didn't know how this would happen but he wove an incredible story of
publication beyond even my wildest dreams.  In the spring of 2000, I was
praying in my bedroom in Sterling, Colorado and I felt the Lord urging me to
get published.  I prayed, "Lord, if you want me to be published, will you
bring a publisher to me?  I don't know how to get one."

A few weeks later a writer friend sent an email about a new Christian
inspirational book series and encouraged me to submit.  I flooded the
editor's inbox and six months later I hadn't heard anything.  Till one day,
a sweet little old lady in my church passed away and I wrote her story.  I
sent it in immediately and I heard from the editor of the series that day.
She told me she was pulling my stories as soon as they came in.  

It was then that I knew the vision God had given me was coming to pass.  In
the fall of 2001, the vision became real when "God Allows U-Turns" the first
volume of the series was released on the market.

I had seen the lineup of the stories in the book months before and I knew
that my story, "No Morning Is Just Like Another," would be the last story in
the book.  I fretted a bit.  What did that mean to have my story be last?
Was it the worst?  

The day finally came when my complimentary book came in the mail from the
publisher.  God had answered my prayer and brought a publisher to me just as
I'd asked.  

When the package arrived, I hurriedly ripped the box open and carefully held
the book as if it was a jewel in my hand.  Bob Hostetler, award-winning
writer, editor, pastor and speaker from southwestern Ohio describes this
scene in perfect detail.  He says when a writer opens the package for their
first book; they take it out and hold it gently in their hands.  They sniff
the pages, savoring the scent and the moment.  

This was exactly what I did.  Even though I only had one story in this book,
this was my first story published in a book and it was a dream come true;
and the reality of the Lord's vision imparted to me.

I turned to the last page and began to see my words in print.  In the middle
of reading the story I burst into tears!

I cried and cried because another God story had emerged.  It was a secret
that only God knew.

When I was a little girl growing up in central Arkansas I loved to read.  I
read everything I could get my hands on, and during summer breaks at school
I asked the teachers for any old books they had to give away.  At the end of
the school year I went home with old library books, periodicals and school
books.  I read anything and everything.

And when I went to the library, starting as early as elementary school, I
had a quirk in my reading habit.  I would open the book and turn to the last
page first.  A mystery fan, I enjoyed knowing the ending so I could piece
together the puzzle of the story while reading the book.  

I always read the last page first!

So my crying jag was one of peace and joy, not sorrow or frustration.  My
tears came from that simple act of reading the last page first.  This time
in my very own living room, and with the first book in which I was
published.

And all the fretting I did about having the last story in the book melted
away as I realized once again that God had brought about a desire of my
heart in a way I could never imagine.  He knew I always read the last page
first!

 LaRose Karr is a church secretary.  Look for her stories in "God's Way for
Couples and God's Way for Mothers," published by White Stone Books. She is a
contributing writer to "God Allows U-Turns," volumes 1, 2, 3 & 4, published
under the Promise Imprint by Barbour Publishing.  Her work has also appeared
in "The Upper Room" devotional guide. Look for future devotions in "The
Quiet Hour."  She is a CLASS graduate and enjoys speaking and ministering to
women. (Christian Leaders Authors Speakers Services) Email: rosiebay at kci.net
She believes her writing is a gift from God and gives HIM all the glory!