DEVOTED: Karen Kingsbury Shares the Importance of Guidance, Love and Prayer

By: Chelsey Barmore, staff writer | English Major

Karen Kingsbury's new book sheds light on seeking God in relationships.

As the week of Valentine’s Day is underway and the season for anticipated engagements approaches within the next month, the popular phrase “ring by spring” reveals itself across campus and on bookshelves. “Loving,” written by New York Times and USA Today bestselling Christian author Karen Kingsbury, takes a look at marriage under the guidance of God’s council-ship. Hitting shelves in the month of March, this is the fourth and last book of the Bailey Flanigan Series, which follow the story of a fictional Indiana girl and her romantic life.

The main character, Bailey Flanigan, plans her wedding and makes choices that will change the rest of her life. The decision to wed Brandon Paul in Los Angeles or her first love Cody Coleman in Indiana finally comes to a conclusion. With answers Flanigan received through prayer, this fictional tale shares the growth process of her life and presents the start of a new journey: marriage. Inspired by events presented in the author’s family, “Loving” provides fans an anticipated answer to such a well-loved character.

The book “Loving,” along with Kingsbury’s own life with her spouse, serves as a testament for understanding that you must seek God in important decisions, such as who to marry. This action can and will ultimately determine the plan and purpose for your life. Finding guidance through prayer and Scripture can only help you find answers. A strong relationship with God will help you establish a strong relationship with your future spouse.

Karen’s husband Don, who introduced the Bible to her before they were married, changed the rest of her life. The Karen Kingsbury webpage states that the author felt herself falling in love with Scripture. “In it she found direction for every aspect of life and a faith worth defending in everything she did,” said Kingsbury’s testimonial. This love of God’s Word drew her nearer to Don and is what pushed her to write Christian fiction. She wrote, “The world can write fiction that deals with the physical, intellectual, and emotional aspects of life. Those of us who write Christian fiction can deal with all that and also the spiritual beings, whether we believe in God or not.”

The Bailey Flanigan series provides perspective and guidance for finding a potential spouse. This story will continue to shape the lives of readers by reminding them of God’s plan and seeking Him through prayer. In regards to Kingsbury’s book, one reader’s review wrote, “it [just] shows how you can make plans and then God has different ones for you.”

Watch the LOVING: Official Video Trailer or find the book here on Amazon.com.