by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Think about those moments when you felt uneasy in a situation or suspicious about someone you just met. Logic might fail to explain it, but you know something isn’t quite right. For instance, I recall a chilling encounter in a Thailand hotel elevator. Alone with a bellboy who failed to press another button after I selected my floor, an inexplicable chill ran down my spine. I hurried to my room, locked the door, and watched through the peephole. The bellboy was peering into the wall box at my door, leaving me with an indescribable but undeniable sense of alarm. He was up to no good.
Have you ever noticed how your gut instinct is almost always right on the money? Most women would nod and say, “Absolutely, every single time.” That inkling, that hunch, that gut feeling—we’ve all experienced it. It’s that internal compass guiding us away from danger, toward steering us clear of Mr. Wrong, and better yet, pointing us straight to Mr. Right.
Enter Brynn Haywood in Love on a Whim. Picture this: a work conference in Las Vegas, a chance encounter with T.D. DeLima, and a magical day that leaves Brynn convinced he’s “the one.” So convinced, in fact, that they impulsively tie the knot at a wedding chapel that very night.
But then the sun rises on a new day, and Brynn is hit with a wave of panic. In the quiet of the morning, she slips away from her sleeping husband without leaving a note or any means of communication. Now, the question lingers—which decision was the right one for Brynn?
Let’s dive into the concept of intuition. Officially, it’s defined as the ability to understand or feel something instinctively, without conscious reasoning. It’s that sudden flash of insight or a warning from deep within. While scientists may grapple with a precise definition, we all recognize the power of a gut feeling.
The debate arises—should we trust these intuitions, or should we stick to logic and reason for better decision-making? Science chimes in, asserting that intuition can indeed be a valuable tool in certain situations. Those inexplicable gut feelings often hold weight and guide us toward making good choices.
I attribute that chill-in-the-spine feeling to a deeper source. It often feels clearly like a warning from Above. Clear, to the point, circumstantial. As we strive for a closer connection with the Holy Spirit, we will receive God-given revelations through gut feelings, impressions, and intuition—that “just-knowing” awareness that defies logic. It’s a Spirit-to-spirit connection, deep calling to deep (Psalm 42:7-8).
The Bible is brimming with examples emphasizing the value of wisdom and intuition. King Solomon, when asked what he desired most, sought an understanding heart to discern between good and bad (1 Kings 3:9).
So, when that little voice inside you speaks up, pay attention!
And what about Brynn Haywood and her whirlwind Vegas wedding? Did she follow her gut to marry T.D. or to leave him? Well, for that juicy detail, you'll have to delve into Love on a Whim. Happy reading!
About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than 40 books, including The Sweet Life, The Secret to Happiness, and Love on a Whim, as well as many beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at SuzanneWoodsFisher.com.
About the Book
Brynn Haywood’s impulsive decision to marry a man she barely knows sends her fleeing to her best friend’s home in Cape Cod. With Dawn’s support, maybe Brynn can fix the mess she’s made. But a new crisis calls for her help—and unexpectedly brings her face to face with her new husband.
Did You Know?
Like Jerusalem and Rome, Ephesus was a key site for early Christianity. Here are some lesser-known facts about Ephesus at the time of the earliest Christians:
People came to Ephesus from across Europe, the province of Asia (today, Turkey), and Egypt to pay homage to the goddess Artemis at the magnificent temple dedicated to her image there (see Acts 19).
Ephesus served as home base for the apostle Paul for about two and a half years (c. AD 50–53). To or from Ephesus, Paul probably wrote 1 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and the Book of Ephesians. Also, tradition places Jesus’ mother in Ephesus along with the aged apostle John after his exile on Patmos in the 90s. John is said to have written the Gospel of John in addition to 1, 2, and 3 John while living in or near the city of Ephesus. And John recorded Jesus’ message to the church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1–7).
Paul’s protégé, Timothy, continued to minister in Ephesus after Paul departed (1 Timothy 1:3). Timothy, John, Luke, and Jesus’ mother are all said to have lived out their days in Ephesus.
Ephesus was a harbor city with unique access to transportation by sea and land. That made this city a strategic launching point from which the gospel message could spread.
-Sandra Glahn, Earl Gray with Ephesians
Why I LOVE My Local Christian Bookstore
“Getting to know the bookstore personnel by name adds to my enjoyment of visiting my local bookstore. Unlike online shopping, they offer the one-to-one personal assistance.”
-Janet Perez Eckles, Now I See