“God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.”                                             Max Lucado

 1984 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Night after night, Max sat at his desk working on his book. While he wrote, his wife, Denalyn, sat on the sofa doing cross-stitch. Writing a book had been a dream for Max. Before becoming a missionary to Brazil, he was a young pastor in Miami for two years. While there, he gained plenty of experience writing weekly church newsletters. Church members seemed to like his writing style, and friends encouraged him to write a book.

Several months into the book, the initial excitement had worn off. Putting something on paper to inspire others was hard work. One person had recently suggested that Max give up. A colleague he admired told him, “Getting published is impossible.” Another friend warned, “There are thousands of books being published each day; they’re not going to publish yours.” In the face of such pessimism, he thought about quitting on multiple occasions.

It was difficult for Max not to listen to the negative advice. When he did, he stopped writing and turned his attention to other projects. The naysayers may be right; the chances of getting a book published were slim. But he loved to write and after a while, like a moth to a flame, his pen and paper would draw him back. The aspiring 30-year-old writer planned to title his book On the Anvil: Being Shaped into God’s Image, which reflected how he felt – strapped to an anvil and being pounded.

During Max’s down moments, Denalyn encouraged him and gave him hope to carry on with the book. When he whined and complained, she remained positive. When Max finally finished the manuscript, Denalyn gave him the push he needed: “Send it out. What’s the harm?”

Max mailed 15 manuscripts to publishers. While waiting on the responses, he continued to write, and Denalyn continued her cross-stitch project. Neither was expecting much, hoping for some positive feedback at best. The responses began to arrive in the mail. One read, “I am sorry, but we do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.” Another stated, “We must return your work. Best of luck.” Still another, “Our catalog doesn’t have room for unpublished authors.”

Finally, the 15th publisher agreed to publish the manuscript. When the letter arrived, Denalyn presented Max with her completed cross-stitch, which she had framed for him. It read, “Of all those arts in which the wise excel, nature’s chief masterpiece is writing well.”

It has been 34 years since Max and Denalyn were missionaries in Brazil, and Max published On the Anvil. In 1988, they moved to San Antonio, Texas, where Max became Pastor of Oak Hills Church. Today, he continues serving the 6,000-member church and pursuing his passion for writing. Max and Denalyn have three daughters, two of whom are in the ministry and one in publishing.

Max Lucado has written more than 100 books that have sold 150 million copies. His books have been translated into more than 50 languages and are sold in 80 countries. Max is frequently at the top of every national bestseller list, including the New York Times. Reader’s Digest dubbed him “America’s Pastor,” and the New York Times named him one of the most influential leaders in social media today.

Max keeps the 14 rejection letters of his first book in a file as a reminder of that difficult time. The cherished cross-stitch gift from Denalyn can be found above the desk in Max’s office. It reminds him of the encouragement she provided all those years ago when he didn’t think he could do it. “I wouldn’t be here without Denalyn’s encouragement and support over the years. She is my rock.”

“Is the road long?” asks the 70-year-old pastor. “Don’t stop. Is the night black? Don’t quit. The God of Surprises is watching. When it looks utterly impossible, the Red Sea parts. The lesson? Three words. Don’t give up. For all you know, the acceptance letter is in the mail. The job offer may be on the boss’s desk. Don’t quit. For if you do, you may miss the answer to your prayers.”