Life Lessons and Human Emotions from God's Great Blessings and Tests of Faith

By Xlibris US

Before Martha started this book, she felt that her writing was self-therapeutic for her struggles. After she wrote about her experiences in college and all of the lessons that she learned, she wanted to share them with others who were facing similar hardships.

This book is a collection of Marthas experiences and observations from childhood until her first year after college graduation. It contains life lessons and personal opinions on controversial topics, such as relationships, sex, religion, pop culture, and human values.

The pieces are not in chronological order. They vary according to Marthas mentality when she wrote them.

The biggest message that she wants her readers to get out of this book is that life can be really hard, but the challenges ultimately lead to strength, humility, and a greater appreciation for every blessing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499031355

Book preview

LIFE LESSONS AND

HUMAN EMOTIONS FROM

GOD’S GREAT BLESSINGS

AND TESTS OF FAITH

Martha Lueck

Copyright © 2014 by Martha Lueck.

ISBN:   Softcover   978-1-4990-3134-8

   eBook   978-1-4990-3135-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 06/03/2014

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

635901

CONTENTS

Getting To Know Someone

Unexpectedly Inspired

Beauty From Photography

The Truth About Plans

Trying To Fix Everything

Lifestyle Changes: It Starts With How You Feel, Not How You Look

All I Needed

Three Weeks Pop-Free

Build Yourself Back Up

Changed My Mind

The Power Of Words

Good Chances

Introspection

Reminders From High School

Sad Songs Don’t Last Forever

Take My Time

Back To (And From) The Past

Mistakes

Hard To Explain Views

Money

What Do You Really Want?

Denial And The Truth

Don’t Try

Love Yourself

Desperation Leads To Change

Psychologists And Judgments

Stress

Accepting What We Don’t Know

Missing People Around The Holidays

Saying Thank You

Show Your Heart

Intellectual Conversations Before Class

Empathy

Hi And Bye Conversations

Phone Call

Sharing Emotions

Working For What’s Important

Just Ours

Dreamer

Don’t Walk Away

Chance For Success

Strength And Motivation

Taking Chances

Suppressed Memories

When Something’s Wrong…

Picking People Who Are Right For Us

Smart Or Nice

Expressing Passions

Right

No Excuses

Slow Down

Questions And Answers

Days Like Today

Calm

Peaceful Motivation

Sunrise

Spirit

Waves

An Hour A Day With God

A Morning Of Clarity

Honoring God

Transition

Suffering

Never Alone

Late-Night Thoughts From God

Feeling Love On A Swing

God Vs. Illusions

Inspiration From My Pastor

Reality

New Situations

Desire For Change

Starting Over

Feel The Words

Live The Rest Of My Life For You

The First Hand I Hold

Walk With Me

AUTHOR BIO

au%20photo_edited.JPG

Martha Lueck is the second oldest of six adopted children in her family. She has always enjoyed writing inspirational and creative poems and stories. In May 2013, she graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Journalism.

Now, she works at a grocery store and writes about her faith on her free time. She also enjoys taking nature photos, running, and throwing the football. She wants to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to find the good in hard times and think optimistically about the future.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I honestly don’t even know where to start with acknowledgments. There are so many people who have helped me, some even in the littlest ways.

First of all, I want to thank my family for being absolutely amazing! All of you have shown so much support for my dreams!

Thank you to my dad. You always told me to do what I love and never give up. I used to think that was cliche advice, but it was definitely true. Every time I think of you now, I look up to the sky and just know that I am writing not only for myself, but to honor you. You gave me the confidence to keep pursuing my passion. You also inspired me to honor God and grow in faith. Every time I write something new, I think of you and thank God that you raised me so well. Writing is my way of talking to you.

Thank you to my mom. You always give me honest advice when it comes to the future. You always help me put my faith in God. Even though I do not always seem to listen to you or take your advice, I am listening and thinking about your messages. Although I still rely on you for a lot of things (a nice home, good advice, etc.), I feel that you are forever making me wiser and one step closer to finding my place in this world. You are an amazing mother!

Thank you to my older brother, Andrew. From all of my tears in college and need for brotherly advice, I saw Dad in you. From every text message, I could tell that you learned a lot from him. You almost give me the same exact advice that he would give me. I’m really proud of you for making a life of your own in Colorado. Even if you do have worries, you seem to be very strong in your faith. So you overcome them. You have shown me that I can decide what I want for myself and work hard to get it. Thanks, bro!

I’d also like to thank my sister, Emily, and her boyfriend, Lou. Both of you have stuck with me through the best and worst times. It meant a lot to me when you went to my college graduation. Every time you attend an event like that, it shows how much you care about family. You’re also both really flexible when it comes to change. I don’t think I’ve acknowledged my appreciation for that. You have shown so much growth over the last few years. I know that you will continue to be great providers for family and amazing parents for Carmen!

Next, I’d like to thank my younger brother, Mike. You’re one confident kid. You never seem to let anything bring you down. I think it rubbed off on me a lot because it showed how much you can get done if you just have joy in your life and the ability to laugh at everything negative.

Thank you to my youngest sister, Jayla. I appreciate the fact that I can pray with you. I can see God working in your life, leading you down a good path. Don’t forget that what makes you special is your compassion for animals and people in general. Don’t think for a second that your insecurities and struggles in hard times define you. You’re better than that, and I know that you will go far in high school. Just try hard in everything that you do, find love for yourself, and keep on praying. God will continue blessing you!

Thank you to my youngest brother, Eric. You are so random and hilarious! You always know how to make me laugh on my worst days. I love throwing the football with you. I want you to know that you’re smarter than you give yourself credit for. You seem to remember everything that people say, and you analyze those things. It helps you show empathy and compassion for other people. Never let go of those qualities!

Thank you to the friends who have been there for me since the beginning of high school. Special thanks to Brittany Manning, Kara Zukoski, and Sarah Bloethe for sticking with me through all of the rough times over the last several years. You’ve lifted my spirits so many times. You continue to help me live up to my fullest potential. I may not have been there for you as much as you’ve been there for me, but I hope that these words can make a little bit of a difference.

Thank you to everyone from the high school newspaper who made The Charger a fun staff. We had great times! I loved writing with you guys! All of you had something unique to bring to the paper, and to this day, you’ve inspired me to keep writing. I am so proud of all of you for graduating with me and pushing yourselves further to make your dreams reality. Always know that I have so much faith in you. I remember all of you as being intelligent, passionate writers. Keep up the good work! I can’t wait to see where everyone is at our high school reunion.

Thank you to all of my college friends and English and Journalism professors. I have learned so much from all of you! I walked into college a not-so-confident introvert and walked out as an optimistic, eager-to-learn extrovert. My personality was positively affected by your faith in me and all of the new experiences with interesting life lessons. Monday nights at open mic allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and read pieces that I have written. Even though I was nervous, having friends who supported me has made me become more confident.

Thank you to my coworkers from Northern Star and everyone who has read my pieces from the paper. You guys are awesome! I really enjoyed coming up with story ideas and learning more from other writers and readers. The more feedback I received, the more I learned that words really do make an impact. All of your words have made a huge impact on me!

Thank you to the jobs ministry group from Hope Lutheran Church for giving me the opportunity to write for The Hopeful. Thank you to all of Christ’s disciples whom I have met and talked to over the last several years. I have struggled with my faith, but after having so many spiritual conversations, I know that my ultimate job in life is to serve God. From every conversation, I have learned something new from everyone. My life would not be as joyful without all of you!

Thank you to Kim Oliver for taking so much time to help me go through the process of publishing this book. Kim, you were so patient with me! Thank you very much for all of your support!

Finally, I thank God for everything that He has given me! I thank God for giving me the passion to write. I thank God for helping me find my strengths and blessing me with friends who bring happiness and purpose to my life. I could not have written this book without all of the experiences and people in my life from the past and the present!

GETTING TO

KNOW SOMEONE

Sometimes, when I read really good writing, I