Today I Went to a Book Launch

This post was written by Theresa Emanuel, host of the Faith Food Fellowship Podcast. Visit p31virtues.com for more information.

Today, I went to a book launch.

It was on my calendar as a mid-week date night, a chance for my husband and I to support a family friend. We endured rush hour traffic along the way, expecting to arrive to an evening of small talk, book readings, and handshakes. When we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and celebratory—people mingling, plates filled with food, and a cake designed to look exactly like the book cover. It was a fun detail, adding whimsy to the celebration of the author and his work.

The author is someone I’ve known and admired for years. He has spent decades mentoring young African American men, pouring wisdom into them, and building a nonprofit to fuel his mission. His impact was evident in the room.

A young man—one of his mentees—sat across from him, leading the interview. As they spoke to each other and the audience, the author made notice of some of his other mentees present. Their faces lit up with gratitude and acknowledgment of the wisdom they were now responsible for passing on.

It was clear that this was more than a book launch. It was a celebration of years poured out in service.

As the outpouring of love and gratitude continued, I recalled a thought I had months ago… An idea that I quickly dismissed then but was worth remembering now. This very man had crossed my mind as a potential guest for my podcast, but I hesitated. I told myself my podcast was “too Christian” for him. Or maybe too small to matter. He runs a nonprofit, hosts grand events, and reaches so many. I record it in my home office. Surely, I thought, he wouldn’t take me seriously.

But then, as he spoke, the very first thing he did was acknowledge God. He didn’t merely mention faith; he wove it into his story, mission, and purpose. He spoke of excellence, fellowship, and the ripple effects of showing up to serve. The very things I pour into my podcast week after week.

His words moved me. Not just the words but the realization that God had already aligned our missions! I was the one who had let fear get in the way.

Suddenly, I didn’t feel small anymore because it was never about me. It was about God using each of us to do God’s will. It was about obedience, showing up, and recognizing that every opportunity to serve is essential.

And then it hit me: How many divine appointments do we miss because we assume we’re not ready? Because we let fear speak louder than faith?

That night, I saw what I had almost missed. And I left with a renewed commitment—not just to my podcast, but to stepping out in faith every time God presents an opportunity.

Today I went to a book launch. And I left knowing yet again that when God calls, the answer isn’t about our qualifications. It’s about our obedience.

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Theresa Emanuel is a Biblical Self-Care Strategist who helps busy Christian women embrace daily faith-based self-care so they can serve from their overflow. As the host of the globally ranked Faith Food Fellowship podcast, she shares simple, scripture-rooted strategies to help women steward their God-given blessings and thrive in their callings.