School's Out For Summer, and So's This Blog (Kind of)
In high school and college, I did everything I could to avoid all classes related to English, grammar, reading, literature, and writing. I preferred the classes with numbers, equations, and charts - the fewer letters and words, the better (i.e., I loved science, math, biology, and human anatomy).
In my freshman year at Wake Forest, I decided to go pre-med, and a few months later switched to Health and Exercise Science so I could become a physical therapist. I graduated from Wake in '95 and attended graduate school at Emory University to become a Physical Therapist (PT). After a few years as a PT, I went into full-time vocational ministry (Marriage Ministry at Watermark Community Church).
Somewhere along the way, I developed a love for reading. I don’t remember when it started, but I began to build a fascination with books. I didn’t hate reading growing up, but I know I wasn’t obsessed with it like I am today.
Good writing has changed my life, whether through God’s Word, influential books by other men and women, and blog posts/articles. I love the written word - God has used it to change my life and grow my love for Him and others.
A few years ago, several friends encouraged me in my writing. I never set out to be a writer, but my love for books and reading helped grow a proficiency in writing and communication. With fear and trembling, I started this website in 2014 to start exercising the writing muscle. If I’m honest, I thought it would last a few months, and then I’d run out of things to say and move on with my life.
When I started this blog, I set out to encourage and challenge others to follow Christ and grow in their relationships with their spouse, children, friends, and family. I also developed a growing burden to write practical, biblical, and authentic books to help premarried and married couples. Writing a book became a dream that I thought might never come true or even happen.
Today I’m thrilled to share that I’m officially working on my first book. It's called Ready or Knot: Questions Every Couple Must Answer Before Tying the Knot (subtitle subject to change, title credit to Sarah Fultz). I signed a contract with the great folks at Baker Books in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The manuscript is due November 1, 2017, and the book will come out in February 2019 (projected).
It’s truly a dream come true for me. Thank you to so many of you out there who have encouraged me along the way and helped this dream come true. Any of you who know me on a personal level know how much I value my community and friendships. I really couldn’t do this without you. My wife has been the greatest encourager and helper in this project.
So what does this mean for you and why should you care?
Please pray for me and the book. Pray that God will use it to change and help many premarried couples in the future. I’m excited for couples to read it. Please pray with me that it will help couples discern if they’re Ready or Knot for marriage.
I will cut back on blog writing for the next few months. You’ll see less new posts from me and a handful of guests posts from friends. I’m excited for you to hear from other voices. I need to cut back to work on the book, and I need to spend any remaining discretionary time trying to take better care of myself (see #WellnessWeek17). Meanwhile, I have a family I adore and a job I love. I’d like to keep both of those things, thank you very much!
I hope to start doing some short, marriage videos on some of the same topics I write about on this site. I'm hoping Kristen will join me for some of them. To be honest, videos will take less time and can be just as helpful.
So, in conclusion: Yeah for Ready or Knot. Thanks for the encouragement, and see you less in written form, and maybe more in video.
Scott
Photo Credit: Unsplash, Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani