Heidi is an excellent writer, and she has become a dear friend. Thank you for joining us, Heidi
Turning Life’s Detours into Stories of Hope: The Discerning God’s Best Book Bundle
How God turned vision loss and closed doors into a ministry of storytelling.
Meta Description: How a season of vision loss and closed doors led Christian author Heidi Gray McGill to write the Discerning God’s Best series—stories of hope, redemption, and God’s perfect timing, now available in one collection.
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Role of Faith in My Writing
For me, writing has never been just about telling a good story. It’s been about listening—listening for God’s direction, trusting His timing, and surrendering my plans for His. That truth became especially clear when my peripheral vision narrowed because of retinitis pigmentosa, and then again when the ESL program I directed had to close during COVID-19. Both moments felt like the end of something vital. But God saw them as beginnings.
From Closed Doors to New Chapters
Losing the ministry where I taught English and shared Christ left me without my familiar platform to share Christ. In that stillness, God opened my eyes to a new way of reaching people: through story. What began as a single novel idea turned into a series of tales set in the 1800s, where characters wrestle with faith, love, loss, and God’s leading, much like we do today.
The Birth of the Discerning God’s Best Series
What began with Desire of My Heart has grown into a six-book journey—five full-length novels and one novella—each telling a unique story of faith, redemption, and God’s perfect timing. For this special Collection One bundle, I’ve gathered the first books in the series—Desire of My Heart, With All My Heart, and Stitched on My Heart (a Christmas novella)—along with the bonus short story Where Hearts Belong. Though you can read each book separately, together, they offer a rich introduction to the world of Discerning God’s Best and a shared truth: God is still writing something good even in the hardest seasons.
Why I Bundled the Stories
These four stories mark the beginning of my writing journey, and they hold a special place in my heart. They carry the lessons I was learning at the time—lessons about surrendering my plans, trusting God’s timing, and finding joy in unexpected places. By bringing them together in one collection, I wanted to give readers an immersive experience… a chance to journey through each character’s struggles and triumphs without having to leave that world behind.
It’s more than convenience; it’s about walking alongside these characters as they grow in faith, feeling their setbacks and victories echo in your own life, and perhaps closing the final page reminded that God’s best may come through the very detours you never wanted to take.
What God Taught Me Along the Way
This writing journey has reinforced what I learned in those early seasons of loss: God doesn’t waste a detour. The very circumstances I thought disqualified me from ministry became the foundation for a new one. Just as my characters must step into the unknown, I’ve learned that God’s best often comes when we trust Him with the next step before we can see the whole path.
An Invitation to Journey Together
If you’re longing for encouragement in your own season of uncertainty, I invite you to join me through the pages of the Discerning God’s Best – Collection One bundle. My prayer is that these stories will speak to your heart, reminding you that His timing is perfect, His plan is good, and His love never fails.
About the Author
Heidi Gray McGill writes impactful Christian fiction, blending faith, hope, and love with humor and depth. Despite blindness from retinitis pigmentosa, she has authored numerous books, including the Discerning God’s Best series. Heidi lives near Charlotte, NC, with her husband of over 30 years, and enjoys family, cooking, and games.
Connect with Heidi Gray McGill
Heidi invites you to explore her heartfelt stories and receive a free prequel, Deep in My Heart, in eBook or audiobook format. This journey from South Carolina to the Midwest sets the stage for Desire of My Heart. Get it here: https://heidigraymcgill.com/free_book/
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Description:
When vision loss and a closed classroom ended the ministry Heidi loved, she thought her story was over. God had other plans. Those detours became the starting point for my Discerning God’s Best series—faith-filled historical romances that remind us His timing is perfect. Now, the first books are together in one collection, ready to encourage anyone walking an unexpected path.
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