The Faithfulness of God

My best friend, Karen Peck, is one of the most faithful servants of the Lord. She also happens to be one of the biggest stars in Southern Gospel music. I am so proud of her.

After college, Karen and I shared a duplex as we were stepping out into the big world on our own. We were both country girls who were raised by God-fearing, hard-working parents who instilled in us the importance of serving God and working hard.

Karen was always keenly popular in school. She was as sweet then as she is now and was always kind to everyone. I laugh sometimes when I remember that we got our driver’s licenses and started driving to school, which was such a big deal. I drove our family’s Pontiac sedan – four doors with a vinyl top and electric windows – and Karen had a little junker of a car. A tiny little Toyota or Ford Pinto. That little car had to heave and puff its way into the school parking lot. I usually got there a few minutes before she did so I would watch the little car, roll down the hill and into the parking lot.

Usually, I thought, “She’s the most popular girl in school and drives the worst car of all of us.”

Back in those days, kids didn’t get new cars. They either worked and saved up to buy an old used one or, like me, drove the family sedan. Some of the farm boys drove their trucks, usually with a gun rack across the back window and a hunting rifle in it. No car door was ever locked.

It was a different time.

Now, I drive by our old school  -- it has become the ‘in’ school – which has a football field with a jumbo, electronic scoreboard and glistening new buildings. The student parking lot is filled with new, shiny cars and there is always a security man on duty.

It’s funny but Karen, who has one of the most beautiful voices in the world, finished second in the school talent show and I finished second in a writing contest. No one remembers who won the talent show or that writing contest.

Karen’s musical ability and her leadership of Karen Peck and New River has enshrined her in both the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She is on track to break the record for the most number one songs in Southern Gospel Music. And, as she will quickly tell you: She’s had a lot of songs that stopped at number two and didn’t make it to number one.

Me? I’ve written nine books. Six have been bestsellers and one was made into a movie. The ninth –ST. SIMONS ISLAND: A STELLA BANKWELL MYSTERY – is my newest book and we will see what God does with it. I trust Him completely/ Both of us have followed the path that the good Lord set before us and we have made a living out of the two most difficult occupations in the world: Singing and writing.

Several years ago, a well-known author told me that no more than 1,000 people in America list “writer” as an occupation on their tax returns. Incredibly, I’m one of those people and have been for 22 years.

When we lived together, Karen and I often knelt together at our sofa and prayed. We asked God to take control of our lives and lead us where He wanted us to go. It never occurred to us to pray for Him to give us glorious careers or national fame. I was working as a sports writer at the newspaper and Karen was traveling with a well-known gospel group owned by the wonderful Rex Nelon. We both made about $13,000 apiece. Our rent was $165 a piece and we each had new sports car (she had a Firebird and I had a Camaro) and our car payments was about the same as our rent. We had to clip coupons and manage every dollar but we made it.

In Second Chronicles, it says, “But, as for you, be strong. Do not be discouraged for your work shall be rewarded.”

Karen and I paid our dues. We have both, many times, traveled wearily through the night to get from one engagement to another. We’ve had setbacks and disappointments. We have plowed our fields in the heat of the sun and through the many storms of life.

Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.

Whatever might discourage you today, keep plowing. Don’t look back. Trust in God, not in man.

And when you need a pick-up, please think of the two teenage girls who came in second place but trusted God to turn us to His good.

And, my goodness! He sure outdid Himself.