As an author, to get an opportunity completely out of the blue to share about my book on a televised forum with someone known in Hollywood, was almost unbelievable and truly an extraordinary answer to countless prayers!

Yet, I was dubious. Was this too good to be true, and how on earth did this opportunity come about?

I had received an email and a follow-up text; both requesting that should I be interested, to call back. Meanwhile, he had included a link to give me more clarity and proof of what this was all about.

Curiosity piqued, yet hesitant to trust it, I checked out the link, then excitedly chose to call back.

Shawn proceeded to tell me that I was chosen to potentially do an interview with Logan Crawford, an actor and Emmy winner who has recently been doing interviews with authors! Shawn said Logan’s team believes that after reviewing my book, they thought my story would benefit his audience in the areas of adoption, forgiveness, family struggles, healing, etc. He then read me an extensive summary of their reviews, and it literally gave me goosebumps! We continued to discuss the process in detail. I answered many questions, some which I hadn’t even considered but realized were well thought-out and informative. Then he highlighted the many well-known outlets that would have access to learn of and also promote this interview and share my book. After 1 hour and 15 minutes, we finally got to the moment of scheduling this Zoom call interview in late September…

Guess what? Shawn then added that there would be a cost to assist in promoting it: $1,500!

B A N G ! There it was. That was why my Spidey senses, well the Holy Spirit, was cautioning me and trying to tell me this was indeed fake, a scam.

UGH!! UGH!! UGH!!!

 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
Ephesians 5:6

“Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”
Matthew 24:4-5

My continual prayer to the Lord is that as He is the One who allowed my story to be written, that He would use it as He deems fit, whether its for 1 person or 1 million (I prefer 1 million). So, in this instance, He used it for me to share with Shawn the Lord’s work in healing me through forgiving others, in using me to encourage others in need because of my being able to empathize with them. Hopefully my honest and direct answers to Shawn told of God’s kindness, and of how He can take our painful past and use it for good.

Were my hopes of this remarkable opportunity to testify for God dashed? Only in that this scam won’t get me the exposure I had hoped for to get my book out there in a far greater and visible way. Was I crushed though? No, not really. Disappointed, bewildered, and frustrated for sure, but not at God. Mostly I felt wonderment of how someone came across my book and decided I would be gullible enough to fall for their trickery!

But, I can see how one by one, even if it’s for a scammer named Shawn, that God will use my story to bless individuals who unknowingly need to hear it.

In this is faith: believing that God has a purpose with my history of being abused to forgiving my abuser; of being adopted and given away to being adopted by the Lord God himself; of pain and scars to complete healing of the heart; of running away from life to running to my Savior’s arms; and of so many other areas that countless people can relate to who will hopefully recognize that God Himself can do the same for them. This is where I land: peace in knowing that no matter what happens, the Lord is aware, there, and cares; and hope in the how because of Who.

“Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:6

Many unbelievers in who Jesus is or even God himself think we Christians are crazy or are being scammed or tricked into believing such a story about a Creator, Jesus, and eternal life. The way I personally know it’s not fake or a scam is because I KNOW Jesus! I have a genuine relationship with Him and my Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit speaks, reveals, convicts, guides and helps me every day. The ultimate scammer is actually Satan! He has lied, told half truths, misled, infiltrated, destroyed, deceived, hated, and wiped out lives because of his greed and pride. It is time we recognize Satan’s scams, and tell the world about the very good news!

Food for thought: Don’t fall for something that you want so badly to believe is truth, especially if you are even slightly in doubt. Odds are it could bring you to being prideful, lazy, broke, or really angry. Test it: pray about it, ask for wisdom, and get counsel; all from the Lord first. Then, if need be, seek guidance from trusted and wise friends, family, counsellors, or mentors. Weigh their words with God’s.

Fun facts: In 3 days, I had 3 different ‘scammers’ reach out to me about my book! Well, at least word is getting out there but an odd way of it happening. Authors, beware!

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Empty Chairs Wait…

Click here for more information of/or purchase my book, “A Daughter To Many” (2nd edition) via Amazon.