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Until I was 16, I was \u2018normal\u2019.\u00a0 I enjoyed sport, music, school, and was a fairly high achiever.\u00a0 That all came crashing down when, aged 16, a doctor said to me, \u2018you have two (non-malignant) brain tumours, which are so big they\u2019re about to kill you.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I’m so delighted to host Emily Owen here on the blog today. It’s Publication Day for Emily’s new book The Power of Seven<\/a> – which, as she tells us below, is nothing to do with maths! Emily’s story resonates so much for me because of her journey with a physical illness which has significantly impacted her life. I asked her a few questions…<\/p>\n
Tell me about your new book…<\/strong><\/p>\n
It\u2019s called The Power of Seven<\/em>.\u00a0 If that immediately takes you back to bad memories of maths lessons at school, don\u2019t panic \u2013 the maths ends with the title!\u00a0 It\u2019s a devotional book which weaves together personal stories, meditations, bible verses, and prayers.\u00a0 The \u2018seven\u2019 comes from the fact that there are groups of sevens in the bible \u2013 creation, Revelation churches, and more in-between. What can we learn from them?\u00a0 How will they empower us in our walk with God?<\/p>\n
What experiences in your life have contributed to your book?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Until I was 16, I was \u2018normal\u2019.\u00a0 I enjoyed sport, music, school, and was a fairly high achiever.\u00a0 That all came crashing down when, aged 16, a doctor said to me, \u2018you have two (non-malignant) brain tumours, which are so big they\u2019re about to kill you.\u2019 The brain tumour removals left me completely deaf. I\u2019ve had more surgeries than I can count, with varying severity in side-effects; these tumours grow on nerves anywhere in the body, and mine seem keen on growing. I\u2019ve spent time in Intensive Care.\u00a0 The doctors have told my family I won\u2019t make it.<\/p>\n
So, in some ways, like the apostle Paul in Philippians, I know what it is to have plenty, and I know what the opposite is, too.<\/p>\n
I also know what it is to have God in my life, through all the ups and downs, good times and bad.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve written other devotional books, which don\u2019t mention me, and I\u2019ve written my memoir, Still Emily, <\/em><\/a>which does \u2013 obviously \u2013 mention me, but The Power of Seven<\/em> is my first book which so overtly combines stories from my own life with devotional material.<\/p>\n
What advice would you give your younger self?<\/strong><\/p>\n
I\u2019m just trying to decide whether my younger self would have listened!\u00a0 I think I would advise myself that things do get better.\u00a0 That may sound strange, given the way my life panned out.\u00a0 But as a child, though I enjoyed much of school, I was shy and was bullied a bit and never really fitted in.\u00a0 Certainly not with the \u2019cool\u2019 crowd.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m tempted to say that I\u2019d advise my younger self to know that going to university is not the be all and end all.\u00a0 I\u2019ve not got a degree, though my younger self was always aiming in that direction. But, the lesson I learned when I realised that I am more than what I \u2018achieve\u2019 was so great that, actually, I don\u2019t think I\u2019d change that.<\/p>\n
How do you square a loving God with the suffering you have gone through? (Just a nice uncomplicated one there to end)<\/strong><\/p>\n
If God is love \u2013 and I believe He is \u2013 why should I let my circumstances affect his ability to love?\u00a0 He\u2019s bigger than that. His love is bigger than that. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s fair for me to say, do it my way and I\u2019ll believe you love me, but lead me on a path I don\u2019t like and I will know that you don\u2019t love me.\u00a0 I mean, how would that make sense? God is God, I am not; how can I even begin to dictate to Him.<\/p>\n
If God is love, why should I let my circumstances affect his ability to love? His love is bigger than that. @EmilyOwenAuthor answers questions about her book on the publication day of #ThePowerOfSeven! @authenticmedia <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span><\/blockquote>\nI have asked \u2018why me\u2019?\u00a0 For about a millisecond.\u00a0 Because, why not me?<\/p>\n
For whatever reason, this is the life I have.\u00a0 I remember once, the night after I\u2019d received news that I needed another operation, lying in bed and crying.\u00a0 I said to God; \u2018I hate this\u2019.\u00a0 He said; \u2018I do, too.\u2019 And, in that place I\u2019d never wish on anyone, God cried with me. He was right there. He always is.<\/p>\n
For whatever reason, I live this life. And yes, it is hard: more so at some times than others.<\/p>\n
For whatever reason, God has to watch me \u2013 his child \u2013 live this life.\u00a0 Watching someone you love suffer is hard. And God puts Himself through that.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know why.\u00a0 But I do trust Him.\u00a0 And one day He will wipe all tears from my eyes (see Revelation).<\/p>\n
Ultimately, I have a choice.\u00a0 Would I rather go through this with God, or without Him?\u00a0 I choose with Him.<\/p>\n
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Thank you so much Emily for your honesty and hopeful words. I can’t wait to read the book!<\/p>\n
Emily lives in Leicester. Some of the things she splits her time between are writing, speaking, hospital appointments, and being wrapped around the little fingers of her nieces\/nephews\/godchildren. The Power of Seven<\/em> is – coincidentally – her seventh book! Buy it here on amazon.<\/a><\/p>\n
facebook.com\/EmilyOwenAuthor<\/a><\/p>\n