LIHUE — It is easy in life, says Paula McGinnis, to be so busy, to be so much in a hurry, that we miss the blessings around us. Even on Kauai. “I know so many people are in that fast-paced lifestyle
LIHUE — It is easy in life, says Paula McGinnis, to be so busy, to be so much in a hurry, that we miss the blessings around us. Even on Kauai.
“I know so many people are in that fast-paced lifestyle that they don’t take the time to listen to those birds sing, or listen to your ocean waves,” she said. “Maybe they’re too busy to feel that breeze or the warm sunlight, or they don’t take the time to look at that beauty around them.”
McGinnis used to be that way. Used to be so involved in ministry, so committed to her singing, her day so full of appointments, that it took a toll on her health. She learned, she says, to relax. To slow down. To have faith.
“When God speaks to me through the Holy Spirit, I listen. I don’t question why,” she said.
The resident of Metropolis, Ill., is on Kauai through February. She’s here to share her faith, hold a book-signing for her new devotional, “The Road of Life: God’s Guidance on Life’s Journey,” and speak at area churches.
McGinnis will be at Talk Story bookstore in Hanapepe from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday to sign copies of her devotional, available for $16.99.
The nearly 300-page book is filled with short stories based on her life and others she has come to know and help. Each devotional lesson has space for readers to keep a journal, too. Her artwork and photography are also highlighted.
The idea of the book, she said, is to offer people the encouragement, hope, patience and perseverance they’ll need during life’s journey. There will be obstacles, trials and stress. It’s how we handle them that counts, McGinnis said.
“Any situation you can find yourself in your life, it will guide you to see what God has to say about that situation,” said Paula’s husband Gary, “and lead you back onto Scriptures so you can seek God’s guidance into wherever you’re at in life.”
The devotional, Paula McGinnis said, is her testimony.
“It’s become my witness,” said the mother of three and grandmother of 10. “It’s something I want to give back to the people, that God has given to me.”
McGinnis spoke Sunday at Breath of Life church in Lihue. She finds Kauai a wonderful place to relax, recharge and focus on God.
“Here on Kauai, I could sit and watch the clouds and they would give me inspiration,” she said. “I sit and I watch the waves come in, I’m inspired by those.”
The Road of Life published by Tate Publishing will be available Sunday mornings at Breath of Life church.
McGinnis can be reached at neuronurse1@hotmail.com.
