Debbie Lynne Costello Interviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Debbie Lynne Costello

Debbie Lynne Costello is the administrator of the TheSword and Spirit and of Fiction Addiction Fix. She writes historical romance and is a member of ACFW.

Debbie Lynne, welcome to Overcoming Through Time – With God’s Help.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers.  
Hey Carrie! Thank you so much for having me on your blog.

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help? (transparency appreciated!)

I think this time in my life is one of the hardest times I’ve faced. I had 5 miscarriages trying to have my 4 children and those were tough years and many tears, but today I’m watching my daughter experience some of the same heartbreak and that tears me up and leaves me feeling helpless. As a mom I want to fix things for her, but I can’t. All I can do is pray and leave it in the Lord’s hands and trust Him, knowing that He loves her even more than I do. 

Add to that worry for our parents—my father has lost most of his eyesight because of his brittle diabetes, my grandmother who was left in a wheelchair due to a stroke, my mother who is in her late 70’s carrying for them, and we are the caregivers for my mother-in-law who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It seems there is always a minor or major crisis in our lives making this seem like a deep valley we are walking through right now. It’s tough seeing the people you love lose their health. My first reaction is to worry and stress. And if I didn’t know the scripture in Malachi that says, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord, I think I’d feel like it so overwhelming I’d just want to shut down.

It’s hard for both my husband and I to watch his mother change to the point we feel at times we don’t know her. Being her caregiver, taking care of her needs and not being able to reason or explain things to an unhappy her is difficult to say the least. I always knew we’d care for her, but I never dreamed it would be her mind that went. I thought it’d be just her body where I could do things and she would be the same mom except for mobility. But that isn’t the way it turned out.

I feel spread thin at times as I try balancing my children still at home, babysitting a grandchild, caring for a parent, and working on a career. And you know what? I can’t do it all on my own. It’s only through God’s grace that I can do any of it.

I have to hold to the promise that God is in control and loves us all. I have to lay my burdens on Him when they are just too heavy to bear. As the scripture says, if we wait on Him, He will renew our strength. It comes down to trusting Him. He’s the light in darkness, hope for the hopeless. He’s the one who cares when no one else does. He’s my comforter. And I can do all things through Him.

What is your favorite bible verse and why? Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 
I know, not a very original favorite, but this verse has so much promise. And in this industry we do a lot of waiting! It gives me hope. I think there is so much in this verse and every word speaks to me personally. I love the symbolism of the eagle too. They are such strong, beautiful creatures and for God to liken us to them is uplifting. He sees us as strong and beautiful even when we feel weak and ugly. How encouraging is that!

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your blogs and why?

I do hope my readers will be encouraged by the books of authors I have as guests. I want them to get to know the authors better so they seem real rather than just a name on a cover of a book. I also hope they’ll find new authors they love and on Fiction Addiction Fix I want them to find free books!

Meeting Street, Charleston, South Carolina

As you researched your manuscripts, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

Yes. That Charleston has suffered many consecutive disasters in the late 1800’s and the love and sense of family and community warmed my heart. It made me wish for the days when people were less about themselves and more about each other.

In this latest work, do you have any topics that will be useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

Both actually. There was abuse (before the story starts), a heroine with amnesia who must deal with the death of three family members, a hero who wants to control all situations, and unrequited love.

Thank you Debbie Lynne for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

Thank you for having me, Carrie. It’s been fun. God Bless!

Giveaway:  We have a basket of goodies for one special reader who leaves a comment. It has candy, tea, frosty nail polish, a holiday ornament, books and more! (USA only for this giveaway.)  Extra counts (3) given for followers of Debbie Lynn's blogs (put S&S if you follow The Sword and Spirit) put FAF (1 extra count) for Fiction Addiction Fix.  Debbie Lynne can also be found on Facebook (click here) and on Twitter (click here.)

Question: Are you a caregiver for an adult family member or have you ever been? What has helped you most to cope with this role?