I have an announcement to make, but I wanted to tell a story first. : )
Back when I was a young mother I read a book and in it the author mentioned how much she loved the color red, and how she’d decided whenever she saw a redbird, she would stop what she was doing and thank God for loving her. The redbird came to represent God’s great love, and she told several stories about how redbirds had shown up at different times in her life when she was down and really needed a reminder of God’s love.
Well, I don’t see many redbirds. We have cardinals, in the winter especially, but I didn’t want to go all spring, summer and fall without a reminder of God’s love, and without being reminded to thank Him for it.
So, I choose sunsets as my visual reminder of God’s love and of His care and protection for me. Sunsets are pretty much a daily occurrence, lol, right?
Anyway, through the years sunsets have reminded me of God’s guidance and care. Last year I had something personal happen to me. I wish I could give details, because I know a lot of you would relate, but I don’t want to talk about the person who hurt me, but it was painful and hard. I knew I needed to forgive, but I wasn’t sure what direction I needed to go after I did that. I knew which way I wanted to go. But I prayed a lot that I would not do what I wanted, but would willingly do whatever God wanted me to do.
Well, it seemed like God wasn’t saying much to me, so, although I forgave the person who hurt me, I was taking steps to go in the direction I wanted. I spent months making plans and lining things up. Just as I was ready to do some things that would be impossible to undo, God made it clear that my way was not His way. 
I was pretty bummed about that, to say the least, but the leading from the Lord was unmistakable, and I moved to undo everything I had done, and submit to God’s direction.
I can’t say I was happy about it. In fact, I was rather depressed and felt like God was asking more of me than a person should have to give. After all, I wanted to be happy, right?
Anyway, I was out on the four-wheeler in Virginia one evening, checking the cows, feeling pretty down and forlorn and dejected and wishing that God’s way wasn’t so hard and that He didn’t require so much, when I looked over toward the western sky and saw the entire thing had just exploded in brilliant and beautiful color. It was by far the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen in my life, and it made me stop the four-wheeler completely and just stare at the sky. Of course, I remembered about how the sunset has always been a sign to me of God’s love and provision, of how He uses it to show me that He loves me and cares for me, even when, or maybe especially when, things aren’t going the way I want them to, when I feel lost and sad and alone and depressed.
And He had pulled out ALL the stops this time, painting the entire sky with a depth and richness of color I’d never seen before, like He wanted to make sure I knew I was loved. Of course, I felt that love the whole way to my soul and it filled every part of me. It’s the only time in my life where God’s love felt like a tangible thing that I could actually touch.
So, yeah, sunsets are special to me.
My announcement is that I am leaving the Petticoats and Pistols group. Leaving P&P was not an easy decision, or one I wanted to make, so when Pam said that my last post would be a “riding off into the sunset” post, I had to smile – that was God saying He loved me again, and that this was the exact right thing for me to do, even though I love and admire my fellow fillies and will really, really miss being a part of their loving, supportive, family-like group. They really are the best, and I can’t say enough good things about them.
Still, this road is the right one for me, and I have to ride it, even when my hooves are dragging and I’m looking back sadly and with longing at my filly sister and the readers who have come to mean so much to me. I suppose I need to turn around and keep my eyes on the sunset and remember that God loves me and His way is the way to true happiness and blessing.
This reminds me of a Stamps-Baxter song in one of my hymn books “Sunset is Coming But the Sunrise We’ll See.” It’s basically a song saying that this is not good-bye, but an “I’ll see you later.” Even though I’m riding off into the sunset, it’s not a good-bye for us, but an “I’ll see you later.”
In the meantime when you see the sunset, you can think of me if you like, but I’d rather you smile and remember how much God loves you. That’s what I’ll be doing.
Thanks so much for the time you’ve spent with me over the years, and today especially.
Hugs to all of you who have been so very wonderful to me, and here’s wishing you lots of beautiful sunsets. Remember – the sunrise is coming!
Love,
Jessie
USA Today best-selling author Jessie Gussman writes sweet and inspirational romance from her farm in central Virginia. Having attended, but never graduating from the school of hard knocks, Jessie uses real life on the farm to inspire her cowboy, rural and blue-collar fiction.
When she’s not chasing kids, cows and the occasional roll-away haybale, Jessie enjoys wading in Naked Creek and not cleaning her house. Most of the time her main goal is to keep from catching herself on fire…again.
If you enjoy fun stories with vivid characters showcasing strong families with a ribbon of faith tying everything together, you might enjoy Jessie’s books.
Jessie, I have enjoyed your posts. Best wishes as you go forward. Thanks!
denise
I have enjoyed being here, thanks!
Sometimes following the Lord can be hard, but the end results are always the best for us! I follow you on FB and subscribe to your newsletter. I really enjoy reading your stories and books!
I agree completely! Glad that we’ll be able to stay in touch! Thank you for your kind words. : )
I love the idea of looking at the sunset and relating it to God’s love. Though I will miss you here and with the Redemption Ridge group, I do understand God leading you in a different direction. We have had to make some difficult changes at our farm recently and even though they were heart-breaking at the time, I am determined not to look back with regret but to look eagerly forward to what God has put in my path.
Yes, that’s it exactly. Sometimes we need to prune before we can grow even bigger. The pruning is hard and painful, but God’s plan is always the best. Hugs to you!
I love how you use the term pruning, Jessie! As much as it tears my heart out to clip beautiful blooms on my beloved bushes throughout the summer, they always, always come back vibrant and beautiful and better than ever. It just needs to be done, and I know this pruning will be vibrant for you, too. That’s what matters, even though we will miss you like crazy.
Hugs, my friend. You have been a joy to have in our corral.
I’m so glad I got to meet you in Deadwood, SD. You shine brightly for Jesus and your faith always unfolds in its beauty. God bless you and your sweet family Jessie. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us. I’ll miss you.
Getting to go to Deadwood was the highlight of my year! I will always have very fond memories of that trip and getting to meet you is one of those! Thank you for your kind words, and I will miss you as well. : )
Jessie, Sorry to see you leave this group, but, I am glad that I can still follow you in your Newsletter and FaceBook sites,…. and, of course your E and Audio Books. Wishing you God’s best in all the paths you take.
Oh, my friend. I am so sorry to leave, too, but I am glad I will still be able to be in contact with you. I checked my form and I do not have your address on it. I’m sure I have it somewhere, but would you mind messaging me with it and the book you would like? I’ve been meaning to message you about it, but I seem to get distracted each time!
Oh, Jessie. You are such a sweet soul. Your heart is in every word you write. I’m so blessed to have shared a path with you for even a short time, and I hope that our paths cross again many times in the future. The way you feel about sunsets is how I feel about big, bright moons in a dark sky. I can’t help but feel Jesus smiling, shining his light in my darkness, giving hope and peace. Wherever your path goes, I know you will be blessing those around you. You will be missed here, for sure, though. So, don’t be a stranger.
I love full moons! And what a great reminder of Jesus’s light, shining in the darkness. I’ll definitely be thinking of that from now on when I admire that big, beautiful moon! Thank you so much. I have long been an admirer of yours, still am, and absolutely hope that we continue to stay in touch! I love your example and wish all the very best for you!
Jessie, I shall miss you on this post, but I will continue to be with you on Facebook and in reading your books for you. You are stupendous as a person, and more than that as a writer. I pray for you to be blessed and fruitful for a good many years, or as long as you want to be. Don’t stop writing and sharing the gospel with us. Love always,
Judy Sexton
Thank you so much for your kind words! How wonderful to know that we will still be together through fb and my newsletter – which I love! I hope I don’t stop until God calls me home. That’s my plan. : )
Ah, I’m going to miss your posts! But I really admire your obedience to God and making the decision He led you to make. I hope you have many happy returns in whatever your future endeavors are!
Thank you so much for your kind words – I will miss the fillies and being here so much! Hugs!
I will miss seeing you in P&P, but am thankful that I follow you in Facebook, your newsletter, Patreon and ebooks! I hope you continue to go where God leads you. Butterflies are what reminds me of God’s love for me. They also remind me loved ones that have passed. Good luck as you continue to follow God’s path. ?
I’m so glad this is not good-bye for us! : ) And butterflies are such a great reminder of our Creator! I love it!
Jessie, I am so glad to have had the pleasure of “meeting” you here as a fellow filly-sister at P&P! Always enjoy your posts. I’m so sorry to see you go, but I do understand–sometimes there are other things we have to tend to that just require more time and energy and something has to give. We will miss you!
Aww! I will miss you and all the other fillies so very much! Thank you so much for your kind words and for always making me feel so loved and included! Hugs!
Jessie, I want to say that I’m blessed to be able to follow you on Facebook and email, so I can still get the latest! May God continue to bless and guide you! You’re never wrong when you follow Him!
Agree 100%!! Just sometimes He leads in ways I’d rather not go! Still, I know it will be for the best. So glad this is not good-bye for us! Hugs!
Thank you so much for sharing with us today. I will miss you on Petticoats and Pistols. Will continue following on Facebook and Amazon.
I will miss being here, but glad we’ll stay in touch! Hugs!
Jessie, oh wow. well, I have so enjoyed your posts on P&P. I am so glad I get your newsletter also. thanks for sharing today. whatever is on the horizon for you, I pray that you will let God in and guide and love you. I am sure He has something special for you. My mom was the same about sunsets. she would sit and watch the sunset and pray and smile. all five of us kids knew that this was her special time and to leave her alone. It wasnt until later that we realized what she was doing. And by then, she had helped each to find our own special within nature that reminded us daily to praise God. Hugs and Prayers for you and your family
Jessie, I’m so sorry to see you go. I’ve really enjoyed knowing you and I think you touched my life at a crucial time and helped me through some difficult health issues. Please don’t be a stranger. You know you’re always welcome any time you want to come. Wishing you tons of success as you follow this new road. See you later!
Sorry to see you leave P&P. I have really enjoyed reading your posts. I’m still following you through e-mail and Facebook. Wishing you all the best.
Sorry to see you leave. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts. I’ll still be getting your newsletters and reading your ARCs.
Jessie, I am sorry to see you leave the Junction. I fully understand how time and events make it necessary to make choices we may not really want to, but need to. I will miss your posts and hope you do come back once in a while for a visit. We are a family of sunrises (my husband) and sunsets (me). They can be glorious and sometimes unexpected in the form they take. Your post has made me appreciate them even more. Take care and enjoy those sunsets.