Author: Holly Virden
Located in: Nashville, TN
Submitted: May 03, 2003
Tell us a little about yourself. I grew up in Central Illinois amongst
cornfields. After college at Pensacola
Christian in Florida I came home for one winter
and thought "No way! I have to get somewhere
warm!" That was nine years ago. Subsequently, I
landed in Nashville, TN. As for extra
curricular stuff, I'm a water nut: boating,
skiing, wake boarding, scuba diving, swimming,
etc. I also love outdoor activities and sports: hiking,
canoeing, biking, softball,
volleyball, basketball, and racquetball.
What was your motivation behind this project? I think the greatest motivator for me was the
fact that it seemed like everyone was telling me
that I needed to be content but no one was
validating me where I lived. The old saying
that people don't care how much you know until
they know how much you care really resonates
with me. Books I have read in the past just
frustrated me instead of making me want to find
that contentment. I wanted to do something
bravely transparent that opened the doors to
reality and admit that, yes, it's not always
the ideal, but here's how I get through those
times. It might not work for
everyone, but at least I don't pretend like my
answer is the only one out there.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I am really praying that more than anything,
that anyone that reads this book will develop a closer relationship with Christ. We try
so hard to find someone to complete us and make
us whole, when the reality is that the Lord is the only
one that can fill that need, even if you are
married. My heart's desire is that people will
fall in love with Him and see Him for what He
really is--everything.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? The author that has impacted my life the most
would have to be Max Lucado. I was in high
school when I got my first taste of Max's
writing and reading "No Wonder They Call Him the Savior"
was a pivotal point in my life. I love anything
by him. Brennan Manning and Beth Moore are at
the top of my charts too. For fiction I run to
the bookstore to snag work by Liz Curtis Higgs,
Francine Rivers or Karen Kingsbury. As for
music, I fear I might be severely biased in my
choices. I have been entrenched in music for so
long and know so many of the artists that their
lifestyle definitely influences my selections.
However, true sources of inspiration to me is
something from Kim Hill-shes an amazing worship
leader, Eoghan Heaslip's new disc "Mercy",
anything Passion and my Paul Baloche disc (which
I've worn out). I still love Amy Grant tunes
and Erin ODonnell has some quality in her voice
I just love, and she just has plain ol good songs!
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: I may have had this great opportunity to write
my thoughts down in a book and you might hear me
on a radio station or see me on the platform at
a church speaking, but I think the most
important thing I want to convey is that at the
end of the day, I'm just like anyone else out
there. I am basically an imperfect woman that
is often a mess. I think the line from Twila
Pariss song "The Warrior Is A Child" is what I
want to drive home. They dont know that I go
running home when I fall down, they dont know
who picks me up when no one is around. Deep
inside this armor, the warrior is a child.
People often perceive that anyone that has
opportunities such as I do somehow has it all
together. But thats not always the case. At
the end of myself I find Jesus and fortunately
Ive just learned to get there a little quicker,
but the good news is His grace is the same for
all of us.
