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25 September 2016

Surviving the Loss of a Child - Interview with Lynn Coleman


Author Lynn Coleman

Lynn A. Coleman, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 
Thank you for inviting me. It’s a pleasure to be here.

Would you tell us about the one of the most difficult things in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help? 
Answer: 
The most difficult part of my husband’s and my life together has been the death of our son, Tim. He was 32 and died of congestive heart failure that had been misdiagnosed. I suppose that telling the readers that the loss of a child is the most difficult thing a parent will have to face might be a bit of an understatement. However, God has been very gracious to us. For example, on the day that Tim passed away family had started to arrive and I was having one of those overwhelming moments that happen when you suffer a tragic event such as this. I went into my bedroom and cried out to the Lord, “You don’t know what it’s like to lose a s…” I paused, for the reality hit me like a ton of bricks. God did in fact know what it was like to lose a son. So I said, “Okay, I’ll give you that. But there’s always been one thing that I’ve never had a response to when women are grieving and they say something like, ‘but God didn’t carry that child in his womb for 9 months.’” There was a moment of pause between God and me. At that point He ever so gently gave me a vision. He said, “See the palm of my hand? Inside that palm is every person who ever lived or will live.” Then He reached into the center of his palm and pulled one person out part way. It was Tim. He then said to me, “I’ve carried him in the palm of my hand for over 6000 years.”

Tim Coleman, Lynn's precious son

The reality is that God does love us more than we can love our own children. He knows the hairs upon their heads. Personally, I’ve never tried to count the hairs on the top of my kids’ heads. For one thing, they were born with tons of hair. LOL! For another, it would be impossible. But yet God loves Tim far more than I ever could. The Lord also showed me at this point in time that we in the American Church often don’t stand on the Victory of Death. There is victory in death because of what Jesus did on the cross, and if we believe and accept Him into our hearts we also inherit that victory. Tim is standing in heaven in that victory. Paul and I still have moments when we are sad and miss our son tremendously but we always come back to standing in the power of the resurrection. There’s an old hymn that has a mighty truth, “There’s power in the blood of Lamb.”
Artwork by the talented Tim Coleman

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times?
Many. In the Psalms 139:13 he talks about knitting us together in the womb. Another is, “I go to prepare a place for you.” (Jn. 14:2); and then perhaps one of my life verses, James 1:2: “Count it all joy my brethren, when you meet various trials, …”

What helped you get through or helped you cope with this difficulty?
The Lord, my faith, and my husband‑-in that order.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  
In my latest novella, “Love on the Rails”, in the “Rails toLove” collection (Barbour, October 2016), the heroine, Tilda Green, is dealing with the loss of her parents and the new chapter in her life. It makes sense for a mail order bride to go to a stranger when you’ve lost everything. However, she too has to develop her own faith as she works through the trials in her life.


Bio: Lynn A. Coleman is an award winning and best-selling author of Key West and other books. She began her writing and speaking career with how to utilize the Internet. Since October 1998, when her first fiction novel sold she's sold 40 books and novellas.
       Lynn is also the founder of American Christian Fiction Writers Inc., and served as the group's first president for two years and two years on the Advisory Board. One of her primary reasons for starting ACFW was to help writers to develop their writing skills and to encourage others to go deeper in their relationship with God. "God has given me a gift, but it is my responsibility to develop that gift." 
       Some of her other interests are photography, camping, cooking and boating. Having grown up on Martha’s Vineyard, she finds water to be very exciting and soothing. She can sit and watch the waves for hours. If time permitted she would like to travel.
       She makes her home in Keystone Heights, Florida, where her husband of 42 years serves as pastor of Friendship Bible Church. Together they are blessed with three children, 2 living and 1 in glory and eight grandchildren. 

Blog: 19th Century Historical Tidbits www.historicaltidbits.blogspot.com
Twitter @LynnColeman
Instagram: lynnwr

CFP: Thank you for sharing with us, Lynn. What a handsome and talented young man Tim was. I am so sorry for your loss. One day God will reunite us with our loved ones and what a happy day that will be to be with God and with them.

GIVEAWAY: This week we're giving away a paperback copy of Love on the Rails. Leave a comment for a chance to win. Answer Lynn's Question she’d like to ask readers:
"I love hearing from my readers. I’m interested in hearing what they enjoyed from the story and what they would like to see in a future book."

30 comments:

  1. Hello Lynn. I have read and enjoyed a couple different novella's of yours and your stories in The Prairie Romance Collection and The Christmas Brides Collection. My favorite genre is inspirational historical fiction. I am finding some contemporary stories that I like as well. How do you as an author decide which genre to write in? Also, which genre is your favorite to write in?

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    1. Deciding the genre really comes from what has inspired the story. Was a tidbit of history I stumbled across when visiting an area? Or was it a situation I came across that would work well in a novel or novella. I love writing contemporary & Historical equally but I also like writing Suspense and some scoff/fantasy. The genre for me is the best vehicle to tell the story the Lord gives to me.

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    2. Congratulations on winning, Andrea Stephens!!! I'll be boxing up your book for you! Blessings!

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  2. Thank you for sharing Lynn. I am so sorry about your son. From your post, I can see he was very handsome & talented.
    I have not read any of your books. I love historical, inspirational, emergency, edwardian, colonial/early American & many other genres.
    Blessings, Tina

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  3. Thank you for sharing Lynn, I like to put a face with the author.. I like when a book focuses on family and a happy ending. I do enjoy collections so I will add this one to my wanted list!!
    dkstevensneAToutlook doTCo M

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    1. Thanks, Deanna, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I and the other authors enjoyed writing it.

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  4. Lynn, I'm so sorry for the loss of your precious son! I can't even imagine the pain and heartache that would cause, and the hole in your heart that would leave. I'm glad you are relying on the strength of the Lord everyday, He truly understands! Just keep close to Him, He'll give you what you need when you need it.

    I don't believe I've read anything by you yet. I enjoy historical fiction that features characters who overcome difficulties together. Especially stories of the wagon trains coming West forging new land. The Rails to Love collection looks and sounds really good. I've also read orphan train stories and enjoyed them. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  5. Hello Lynn. Thank you for sharing your story with us about Tim. It indeed is a pain that many can't understand but God. Family themes have always had a strong connection with me. The novella collections that have a little of everything along with historical details makes it interesting.

    Thank you again.
    Annie
    JustcommonlyATgmailDOTcom

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  6. Very moving thank you.

    You can't go wrong with an historical read.


    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  7. LYNN, thank you so very much for being with us on OWG and for sharing your inspiring, powerful testimony. I'm so sorry for the loss of your precious, talented son. I can't even begin or want to imagine what you have been through, but God has been faithful to sustain you and your husband through this terrible ordeal. God bless you!

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  8. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son, Tim, and I am so thankful that you are willing & able to share your story. The Rails to Love is one of the books I have on my "to Read" list & Im very much looking forward to reading it. These novella collections are the best!

    trdivincenzo (at) gmail (dot) com

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  9. Lynn, thanks for sharing about your son, Tim. He's a good looking young man and his artwork is exceptional! I can't imagine the grief, but I appreciate your sharing - it certainly makes me rethink how God felt when He sacrificed His son for us!!
    I really enjoy historical, suspense and medical fiction.
    bettimace (at) gmail (dot) com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Betti. The year Tim passed away he was voted as one of the top pen and ink artists in the world. this was a vote done by other artists. The picture in this post is the image that had him win that acknowledgement.

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  10. Hi all,
    I'm sorry for taking so long to reply today. We had a very full day at church. We are in the process of hiring an Interim Assistant Pastor at the church. This meant we arrived home after morning services at 10:30pm. Thanks for the comments, I look forward to see who wins a copy of the book.
    In His grip,
    Lynn
    PS You still have time.

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  11. Oh Lynn, your beautiful, beautiful boy. I am so thankful that God is with us every step of the way like he was with you when this tragic loss occured. I have not read you yet but I plan to change that. I love novellas! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Amen, Melanie and I hope you get a chance to read the novella.

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  12. Oh Lynn, your beautiful, beautiful boy. I am so thankful that God is with us every step of the way like he was with you when this tragic loss occured. I have not read you yet but I plan to change that. I love novellas! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  13. So sorry for your loss! My sister lost her son when he was 8 yrs old. That was a terrible loss and I wanted to help my sister out of the grief she was feeling and all of were feeling but there was no way out except to pray and be there for her. Then years later I lost a granddaughter. We have to believe God has a plan and that He doesn't make mistakes. That's the only way I can handle bad situations. I don't think I have read any of your books and would love to read this one. Thanks for the opportunity!
    grandmama_brenda(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Sorry for your loses Brenda. God definitely has a plan.

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  14. Thanks for putting into words what we, who have also lost a son, would like to be able to. I think I've read--and enjoyed---every book Lynn has written, thanks to her generosity. I know, and love, Lynn personally, as she is my Pastor's wife. Thanks for posting this interview. Having lost my oldest sonjust a few months ago, it helps to put God's plan in perspective.

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  15. Thank you for sharing your story of the tragic loss of your talented son and the methods of dealing with the tragedy. I have always enjoyed the novella collections and have read many of them, mostly historical.

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  16. hello Lynn. Nice to meet you. This books sounds like one I will really enjoy. Haven't read it so can only say sounds good. About loss and depending on GOD. That is so true. At 81 I have lost so many of my loved ones. my parents and 6 of my siblings. Just my older brother, 91 and I left. I have 4 children but lost a baby before it was born. If not for GOD to lean on I'm nopt sure how I could gotten through. most recant has been 2 sons in law, each just 60. Hoping to win your book. Thanks and GOD bless you. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. Hi Maxie! We sure love you here at OWG blog! So sorry you went through so much. How do we get by, except for God's love? I just don't know how. Hugs!!!

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