Why Here, Why Now

Publishing my book on substack chapter by chapter

I started writing this book during the pandemic, centering it around obedience, endurance, and transitions. In 2022, I even began publishing parts of it on Substack as I wrote, but I quickly realized my story was still unfolding. I needed to live through more before I could put it into words. So, I gathered the pieces and chose to show up intentionally with God—daily—even when excuses felt justified.

Before writing this, I spent the last hour clearing out my drafts on Substack, not wanting to look back at the old but instead writing from where I am today. My experiences have led me to this moment—to timestamp my journey or, as we see in the Bible, to build an altar as a place of remembrance for what God has done. This book will be a collection of essays about showing up and making intentional daily decisions as you navigate saying yes to God and trusting Him in the “in-between” of His promises. The themes remain the same.

I have no strict timeline for when this book will be complete, though I’m hopeful it will be before the year ends. But one thing is certain: when it’s done, I will publish it in print for those who want a physical copy. I want this to be a conversation throughout the writing process. Writing can be lonely, but I thrive in fellowship. Paid subscribers will receive two to three essays per month starting February 24, 2025. My goal is to write roughly 23 individual essays, each accompanied by audio—because there’s something about hearing the voice of the writer that makes the experience more personal.

Writing has always come naturally to me, yet writing this book has been a difficult task. Recently, I was reflecting with a friend, and we discussed how obedience never feels easy when you're in it. From the outside—or once you’ve reached the other side—you can rejoice and see the purpose of endurance. But in the thick of it? It’s hard. That’s where we learn where our trust truly lies. It should be in God, yet doubt, shame, fear, or whatever voice speaks louder than His. To write, to remain obedient, and to be surrounded by community helps anchor me in Christ.

I’m optimistic about what this writing journey will bring—not just for me as the writer but for you as the reader. An African proverb by Chinua Achebe comes to mind: Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. In a world full of turmoil, sorrow, and relentless noise, we must share our lived experiences of what God has done.

I hope that through these writings, you’ll find yourself in the pages, desiring a deeper relationship with God and stepping boldly into what He’s spoken over you—without the need for validation or the pressure to perform.

We have nothing to prove and everything to learn.

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Catch up by reading the following:

I plan to release a chapter each month to my paid community until the book is complete. A few will be free. I have no strict timeline for when this book will be complete, though I’m hopeful it will be before the year ends.

Do It Anyways

First Things First

With intentionality,
Janae Carlee