I just received notification that my publisher has nominated my memoir Brave Enough to Risk Change, to Live Free: A Story of Hope and Healing, and my children's book Harriet's Bad Hair Day for the 2025 Selah Awards.

Being new to the writing world, I would never expect to win any type of award. Nor do I feel comfortable promoting myself, let alone my books. However, I find myself wrestling with the question, "Is it OK to brag about my recent nominations?"

In its most accurate definition of the work, bragging means boasting about myself, which means I would talk with excessive pride about my accomplishments. So, no, because of my value system, bragging is not OK, primarily based on this definition.

Why? Because I firmly believe that if anything good comes from my writing, God is the one who deserves all the credit.

Let me explain. My memoir is based upon the transformation I have experienced as I have learned to live as a believer in Jesus. The Change I have experienced and the ability to communicate this transformation belongs to the Spirit, who enabled me to convey how Jesus has redeemed the brokenness I experienced from childhood trauma.

My value system says I will not boast about anything because all good things come from the Lord. In the book of Jeremiah 9:23-24, the prophet writes,
"Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things."

God delights in giving good gifts to his children, of which I am one. I firmly believe he is working through me, and all glory and credit is due Him.

So, while bragging is not OK, boasting about who God is and the work He has accomplished in my life is OK because my focus is firmly placed on giving God the acknowledgment of Him.

So, I will humbly acknowledge God's good work in and through me. I will take delight in being nominated for this prestigious award, and I will count it as finding favor with people because of his grace and mercy while operating in my life.

I am so blessed that He gave me the courage to tell my story of redemption and freedom through my memoir. You see, by the world's standards, I should not be living the life I now live, but because I firmly believe God has been at work in my life, healing me, loving me, guiding me, and inspiring me to pursue freedom, as an adult, from childhood trauma, I am living free of complex PTSD, trauma shame, and trauma bonds.

Christ deserves my boasting in him!

As for the children's book, if it impacts a child's life because it gives parents tools to help their children write authentic non-verbal narratives about themselves, then all credit once again goes to the Lord. For it was he who inspired the story and opened my eyes to the need for this resource.

So, I will boast about God's goodness and share how God blesses us when we are obedient to do what he asks of us. His favor upon our lives is indeed something that should be acknowledged in hopes that others will reach for their God-given dreams.