All posts by Sharon Hinck

Mom Hinck

I met her first when I was about fourteen, and a gawky mess of braces and braids and nervous energy. I was applying to join “Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ” and she was volunteering with the organization and doing interviews with each teen applicant.

I was also sweet on her youngest son, Ted. Perhaps that added to my nerves.

I remember how calm, warm, and strong she was. How safe she made me feel as we talked about some tough theological questions. She approved my application, and in all the years since, I’ve treasured her approval, because my respect for her was so deep.

Once in college, Ted and I fled to his home to talk with his mom and dad about some upsetting things happening on campus. She made cocoa – with real milk – and listened, and cared, and reassured.

She had a gift for reassuring, because her own assurance was so strong. Assured of her Savior’s love. Assured of where she was heading.

Yesterday, Mom Hinck finally got to meet the Savior she served all her life – for 92 years – face to face. What a glorious meeting that must have been.

She touched so many lives – as a Lutheran school teacher, as a church organist, as the co-manager of a Christian bookstore, as a member of many boards and organizations, as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She has been one of my dearest role-models of what a Christian woman can be.

In recent years, her memory became confused. Yet, her spirit was so firmly cast in a path of sweetness, that the sweetness still showed through. If there were times she was a little fuzzy on who I was, it didn’t matter – she still opened her arms and welcomed me with a delighted smile.

I hope that my spirit can learn to be as firmly entrenched in a place of faith, trust, joy, and love as hers was, as I walk out my remaining years.

What a beautiful celebration she is enjoying today – in the presence of our Lord.

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Mom-casting

Random Thoughts


I am glued to the Olympics. So much so, that I create my own running commentary. “She caught too much air there. She needs to hold her line. He nailed his quad, but his musicality just isn’t up to the other competitor.”

My patient hubby shakes his head and says, “You should be a broadcaster.”

Which makes me imagine what perspective a “mom-caster” would bring to sports commentary.

What would I say during the half-pipe?

“Jim, I wish he’d tighten that helmet a little more. That’s a dangerous drop.”

Or short-track speed skating?

“Korea is favored, strong team this year — OOH, the Australian just cut in front. Where are her manners?”

Figure skating?

“Oh, his lace came untied. I told him a million times to check that before he goes out.”

Ski jumping?

“I can’t look. Tell me when it’s over.”

And of course for all the sports, and all who don’t medal:

“It’s okay, honey. You gave it your best. We’ll always love you.”

And that’s pretty much how I feel about all the Olympians. Thanks for your passion, commitment, and sharing your talents with the world.

Gotta go. Biathlon is about to start and I need to remind the athletes not to point guns at people.

Mom-caster Sharon

www.sharonhinck.com

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Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices

Devotional Musings

I recently rediscovered a hymn that spoke to my writer’s heart.

When our lives are transformed through Christ’s relationship with us, there aren’t enough ways to express the wonders, challenges, and new discoveries.

Artists search for ways to convey something that often seems to transcend normal communication–to utter the un-utterable. This hymn captures that longing and is the song of heart these days:

“Oh, that I Had a Thousand Voices”
by Johann Mentzer, 1658-1734
Text From:
THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)

1. Oh that I had a thousand voices
To praise my God with thousand tongues!
My heart, which in the Lord rejoices,
Would then proclaim in grateful songs
To all, wherever I might be,
What great things God hath done for me.

2. O all ye powers that He implanted,
Arise, and silence keep no more;
Put forth the strength that He hath granted,
Your noblest work is to adore.
O soul and body, be ye meet
With heartfelt praise your Lord to greet!

3. Ye forest leaves so green and tender,
That dance for joy in summer air;
Ye meadow grasses, bright and slender;
Ye flowers so wondrous sweet and fair;
Ye live to show His praise alone,
With me now make His glory known.

4. All creatures that have breath and motion,
That throng the earth, the sea, the sky,
Now join me in my heart’s devotion,
Help me to raise His praises high,
My utmost powers can ne’er aright
Declare the wonders of His might.

5. Lord, I will tell, while I am living,
Thy goodness forth with every breath
And greet each morning with thanksgiving
Until my heart is still in death;
Yea, when at last my lips grow cold,
Thy praise shall in my sighs be told.

6. O Father, deign Thou, I beseech Thee,
To listen to my earthly lays;
A nobler strain in heaven shall reach Thee,
When I with angels hymn Thy praise
And learn amid their choirs to sing
Loud hallelujahs to my King.

Amen!
Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

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Restorer Farewell Party!!

All three Restorer books are going out of print in two weeks.

Although I feel sad of course, I’m also using this time to remember the stories, reread all the precious letters from readers, and be grateful that the stories had such a great run.

So let’s celebrate! Share your favorite moment from one of the books, or something that made an impact on you, or a favorite quote.

More than any of my other books, I’ve received the most heartfelt mail for these stories, so I know God used them.

I remember walking with a friend week after week during the time I was writing the books. She listened to my angst as I talked about how much the stories burned in my heart, and how frustrated I was that the odds of this strange genre-blending story finding a publishing home were near impossible. She reminded me that if God had called me to write the stories, I could trust Him with what He planned to do with them.

I also remember the moments that certain plot twists just “happened” as I was writing, and took me by surprise.

The second book is my favorite. I loved watching the characters develop and deepen, and loved catching a glimpse of how the One was steering events to bring grace, hope, and help to the characters. But all three touched my life.

The stories also led me to plenty of interesting places…the Christy finalist’s dinner, book tours, book clubs, college classrooms, the ACFW awards banquet…and to precious new friendships. What an adventure!

I have a limited number of books on hand, so if you want autographed copies, you can order those at Signed by the Author. They are also still available at CBD while supplies last. You can do some online Christmas shopping. 🙂

Now, please share a farewell thought for the books!

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I Love When God Shows Up

Devotional Musings

God is omnipresent. He is always here. Yet sometimes He opens my eyes to become more aware of Him – of specific ways that He is “showing up.”

I love when God shows up.

This morning I made it to church. During the past two years of health challenges, that has been a rare treat for me. Then our pastor sheepishly shared with the congregation that he had accidentally mixed up the planned dates for sermon outlines and prepared a sermon on Romans 8, which was supposed to be next week.

Hooray! Romans 8 is absolutely PACKED with strength and comfort.

THEN, after the service, he shared that a visiting pastor with a spiritual gift of healing was available to pray with people.

(For some of you, that might be a common occurrence, but in our reserved, buttoned-up denomination it was a precious opportunity.)

As my teen daughter put it, “That was sure a God thing.”

My hubby helped me forward for prayer. The words this pastor prayed over me gave me spiritual goosebumps. He specifically prayed in praise that God is able to heal that which scientists don’t understand and doctors don’t know how to fix. Those words of faith were exactly what I needed. More than anything, I needed the reminder that my life and health and future are completely safe in God’s hands. But most of all, I’m rejoicing that God understands the cells of my body. They aren’t a mystery to Him. And I know He will provide exactly what I need to accomplish His plans for my life.

Limitations have made my life very quiet and small in recent months. I’ve had to redefine what “my purpose” looks like. But God continues to show up. I love that about Him.

Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

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A Novel Idea!


If you are interesting in writing fiction, teaching fiction, or even interested in the role of the arts in a life of faith, this is a tremendous resource!

Last night a friend dropped by for a visit and brought her copy of

A Novel Idea: Everything You Need to Know about Writing Inspirational Fiction

I’d heard it had released, but my copy hadn’t arrived yet. What a treat to see! The book is a compilation of articles by many different Christian novelists.

I was honored to be included with an essay, “Why Fiction?”

One of my passions is the value and purpose of the arts in a Christian’s life, so this article is close to my heart.

It was a double treat to see, since illness has kept me from being able to write this past year. I miss the adventure of creating so much, and have an even deeper appreciation for the joy of story-telling since I wrote the essay a year ago. If you dream of writing and have the physical and mental ability–do it! And get your hands on a copy of this book. It will be a great resource and inspiration.

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Three Books Final – and my weird realizations

Stepping Into Sunlight, Symphony of Secrets, The Restorer's Journey

I was deeply touched yesterday to find out that my three novels that released in 2008 were each named finalists in the ACFW Book of the Year Awards. I felt so warm and grateful that the judges appreciated the stories, and that my books were in the company of so many amazing authors.

It also spurred a few realizations.

First, I had to shake my head at myself – because the books are nominated in three different categories. It just reminded me how totally inept I am at doing things the way you’re supposed to. It really isn’t practical to write in different genres while trying to build a reading audience. It wasn’t my plan. I just wrote the stories I cared about, and they were very diverse stories. I hope one day to figure out where I best fit, but in the meantime I’m so grateful for each of the stories and that there even EXISTS such a variety of genres in Christian fiction.

Another realization I had was that a lot of my warm happy feeling about this honor came from being happy for my characters. I fell in love with the characters in these three books (Stepping Into Sunlight, Symphony of Secrets, and Restorer’s Journey) – and I’m happy for those characters to get to stand up and wave and say “hi!” – for them to have a moment of recognition. Is that weird?

Oh, well.

At any rate, I’m also thankful for ACFW – an organization that is doing so much to support, educate, and NOURISH writers. If you aren’t familiar with them, be sure to check them out here! Honors come and go (or often don’t come at all) but the fellowship of other Christian writers is a treasure that remains on all the hard slogging days.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

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All Quiet on the Western Blog

Writers probably don’t say “Thank you” often enough to our readers.
I’ve treasured each person who has read one of my books, followed my blog, received my Book Buddy newsletter, or even wanted to follow my occasional Twitter updates.

I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to keep up with this blog in recent months.
I have LOVED communicating with you through this forum. But sometimes life takes turns we don’t expect.

Until I’m able to get back to sharing devotional musings here, if you miss hearing from me, please feel free to explore various posts from the past several years, and dig around on my website.

For those who have followed this blog – THANK YOU. Just wanted to let you know, I’m still here, God is faithful, and I hope to get back to this one day. 🙂

HUGE blessings on your day! Thank you so much for visiting!

His,
Sharon Hinck

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