“How are book sales going?” After the intensive journey two years ago to publish Changing Normal: Break Through Barriers to Pursuing Peace in Relationships, I am periodically asked this question.
How does one respond to that question when fewer than ten books are sold per month on Amazon? How do youpersonally respond to a question like this one when you do not yet see much fruit from your day-to-day investment, but you believe it’s coming?
As I meditate on Psalm 1:3: “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers,” I reply to that question with, “My job is to stay steady, keep faithful, and do the next thing God has for me to do. God will do the rest.”
Steady work and God’s favor have brought the Traditional Chinese paperback version 《和好如初》 打破人際關係中的僵局 to fruition! Altogether more than 1,000 copies (English and Chinese) have now been sold and are having an impact on relationships.
Fruit in Others
More and more often these days, I catch glimpses of my life’s fruit—this book—now showing up as a seed planted in someone else’s life:
“Your book helped me understand why some are so resistant to end conflict—from a cultural point of view—and so afraid to speak face to face. It is true that you have to take time for reconciliation in some cases. It has also affirmed that I was on the right track in dealing with certain individuals: to listen, to be humble with heartfelt apologies, and to handle peacemaking biblically. I can also be more patient and go slower in our interactions.”
“God has continually reminded me that peace has to begin with me, not with waiting for others to change. I sense God leading me to let go of control and to respond to others with love and humility, choosing a path of peace that looks more like Jesus.”
“In the past, when facing conflict, I usually chose avoidance, seeking only superficial harmony. I didn’t even have the courage to face the problems head-on, mistakenly believing that this was what it meant to ‘make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. However, because the inner pain was left unaddressed, it was difficult to heal. I have come to realize that faith should not be a cover-up or a false sense of peace. I have learned to confront my own anxieties and fears, and to face and respond to conflict in healthier ways. God grants us the wisdom and ability not to ignore our emotional needs, and He calls us to walk in the light, living a life of authenticity and true unity.”
These testimonies highlight the deep, quiet work God is doing.
Fruit in My Own Life
After personally experiencing three different stretching relational situations recently, ones where I had to intentionally choose to “practice the peacemaking that I teach,” I have been reminded that if the tree wants to bear fruit in season, it must stay by the streams of water. You have to keep abiding in Christ (John 15)—it’s the only way! It’s only as we trust Christ that he makes his home in our hearts, allowing the whole body to grow strong, healthy, and full of love. Our roots must sink deep into God’s love, grounding us so that we can grow up into maturity (Ephesians 3:17 & 4:15-16).
With these truths in mind, I’ve been praying:
“Jesus, as people eat ‘the fruit’ of Changing Normal 《和好如初》, I pray they will be nourished. I pray they will plant the seed (I imagine a peach pit) in the soil of their family and church instead of throwing it away. May they cultivate the soil, water the seed, and wait for you to grow a tree that will bear peacemaking fruit.”
Since beginning to pray this prayer, I’ve received emails from a pastor in Asia and a pastor of a Chinese heritage church in the US who have both been reading Changing Normal. One said,
“I read Changing Normal several days ago and am deeply inspired by it. It helps me a lot, and I have introduced this book to other ministry workers. As a Chinese, I must thank you for your peacemaking ministry.”
The other is interested in providing training for the pastors, elders, and deacons of his church.
I praise God for pastors who have vision to weave biblical peacemaking into the fabric of their families and communities. Want to join in?
Check out the book or YouTube channel to get started!
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLPGa2igDyHnyVAKwsHt8Og/
English Edition
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1950058085
繁体中文 Traditional Chinese
平装书 Paperback
Amazon: https://a.co/d/05O5Zuee
电子书 E-book
Inspirata Books 恩道电子书 https://ebook.endao.co/en/book/2278
WeDevote 微读书城 https://wdbook.com/dp/80584714977281
简体中文 Simplified Chinese
电子书 E-book
Inspirata Books 恩道电子书 https://ebook.endao.co/en/book/2164
WeDevote 微读书城 https://wdbook.com/dp/77328521846785
