My Christy Awards Thank You
I’m writing this post on the Saturday before the Christy Awards, so at this moment, I have no idea how “last night” went. At this moment, all I know is I am beyond grateful to have been a finalist for the Christy Award. It was a moment of redemption from a very difficult year with my family. Last year, 2023, Counterfeit Love was a finalist for the Carol Awards, and I didn’t find out that much until I was at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference and coping with the shock of my MIL having fallen and broken her neck while I was on my way to the conference.
My family told me not to come home, that I should enjoy this time because I would have to be managing a lot of things when I got home–including one of the most difficult caregiving seasons of my life, which is REALLY saying something if you knew some of the things we’ve walked through with my MIL. Even with my decision to stay at the conference (because I really felt like God was telling me to), I was coordinating lots of things at home with getting meals to my family, friends and family reaching out to me to let me know they were praying and wanting updates, and honestly the whole weekend was a blur. I couldn’t enjoy the Carol final or celebrate it with my family. And when I came home, the next six months were focused on my MIL’s recovery. The Carol final kind of got lost in the shuffle, and while I wouldn’t change anything, it was a wounding point for me. Because the Carols were such a big deal, and yet in my own family, it felt like it never happened.
When I learned about the Christy Award Final, it was a redemption of that chaotic time. A sense of healing that I didn’t realize I still needed. I thought I had let it go and moved on, but y’all. Not only did I get to celebrate with my family, my husband came with me this weekend on a rare weekend alone and I got to bring him into the crazy writing/reading world that I love. He only sees my life behind the computer and hear about bits and pieces of my conference experiences. Last night, I got to introduce him to the people whom I’ve formed amazing relationships with, and I got to have him next to me at this big fancy gala where we got to celebrate God’s redemption and great love shown in a way I didn’t know I needed.
I was a finalist among many amazing authors who I have such a great respect for, and I fully anticipate it was one of them to have “won” the category last night. But I truly feel like I was a winner, as you can tell from the story above. But since I went through all the trouble of actually writing a thank you speech, I thought maybe you’d like to see what I would have said if I had won. (And if by some blow me away extra blessing I did, then here’s the written version of what I said.)
(Note to self ONLY: Holy cow girl, if you are reading this in front of people, then pull yourself together. God has blessed you beyond measured and redeemed the year behind you 100-fold to what you went through. Give Him all the glory. Praise His name. Give your speech, and remember people are more important that awards, but this is an honor and a blessing you never expected and should be celebrated.)
I never expected to be up here reading this speech, but I give all credit to Rhonda Dragomir for the impetus to actually write a speech despite my expectations. I’m thankful to even be nominated for a Christy. I’ve read many of the authors nominated here tonight, and I’m beyond honored to be listed among them. Truly, it is one of those dreams you tell God but don’t actually expect to receive. These men and women are people I’ve long looked up to and whose books I’ve lost many nights of sleep over and will continue to lose sleep over. Thank you for writing your stories and inspiring others to follow your lead in writing for Christ.
I want to thank my God and my Jesus first and foremost for this unmerited gift. This award represents God’s redeeming of a really hard year for my family. I cried when I heard the nomination, and it was enough for me. But in His abundant grace, He has done what is above anything I ever imagined. May all I do and write always point back to Him.
Thank you to Travis, my amazing husband who has supported me and encouraged me to write even before I knew this would be the journey God called me to. Thank you Malaki and Nehemiah for putting up with your scatterbrained mom and providing endless fodder for her stories. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Matthew, Ramey, Linda, and Noah for your never-ending enthusiasm and support. You make the hard days better.
Thank you to my amazing agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, who was the first one to take a chance on me. Janyre Tromp, your mad editing skills were invaluable. Thank you, Kregel and the entire team at Kregel. It has been a true blessing to work with each one of you. Thank you to my co-authors of the collection, Cara Putman and Angela Ruth Strong. You are amazing women who have taught me so much, and I am one lucky ducky to have worked on this project with you.
Thank you to the judges and coordinators and many others involved in the running of the Christy Awards. What you do is a blessing to authors and readers alike. I appreciate the honor you have bestowed upon me with this award.
Thank you to my fellow Mayhemmers, Liz Bradford, Angela Carlisle, and Voni Harris and to Lucy Nel. I would never have survived the trials of a writing career and plain ol’ life without you. To all those who have encouraged me, prayed for me, read my books, and joined me on this writing journey, whether you be an author, reader, and/or friend, may you be blessed a hundred-fold for the blessings you have poured upon me.
To everyone in this room, thank you for being here and celebrating the wonderful way God works through fiction. May each of you use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.