Friday Friends - Edie Melson

Edie Melson

It's my honor to welcome my dear friend, Edie Melson. Edie and I met in 2011 at the NCompass Writers retreat in SC. The thing that struck me about Edie was when I walked in the door a nervous wreck, the first thing she did was hugged me like she'd known me all of our lives. Edie's encouragement for writers is outstanding, and she's an encourager for life in general. 

Welcome, Edie!

*Tell us a little about your family and growing up years.*

I always tell people I’m creative out of self-defense. My mom is an

international artist and my dad is a classical musician and well-know

black-and-white photographer. They always encouraged me to follow my dreams.

*When did you know God was calling you to write?*

I’ve always written, but I felt God’s specific call in 1994. I’d just had

my third child and remember telling God I thought He was crazy. I couldn’t

even find a way to sleep through the night and He wanted to add something

else to my place? But I really felt like He was telling me that He’d

provide the way, if I’d be faithful and obedient. Turns out He’s true to

His word!

*Who is a person that is making and has made a strong impact on your life, 

and why?*

The person who’s had the biggest impact on my life is my husband, Kirk.

He’s shown me what unconditional love looks like in real-life application.

He’s always encouraged me to step out and follow God, no matter how crazy

it seems.

*What is your life verse?*

…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for *such* a time as 

this? Esther 4:14

*Other than Jesus, what Bible hero would you like to talk to?*

The woman at the well. (John 4)

*What in-depth Bible study would you recommend to my readers?*

There are so many good ones out there, it’s hard to pick just one.  But if

I had to pick just one I’d Recommend *Just Give Me Jesus*, by Anne Graham

Lotz. 

*Tell us of how you came to a saving relationship with Christ?*

When I was eleven something happened that would change my life forever. I

had told a lie about a classmate and gotten them into trouble. I felt

horribly guilty and the next day, confessed what I had done to my teacher.

She didn’t believe me. She thought I was lying to keep them out of trouble!

I was devastated. I had done this awful thing and there was no way I could

undo it. Worst of all, someone innocent was going to pay for my mistake.

That night I was spending the night with my grandparents and as I lay in

bed alone I remembered that they had always prayed to Jesus to help them

when they got into trouble. I decided I would give it a try. I cried out to

Jesus and told Him that I was worthless and if He could forgive me and use

me, He could have my life. I immediately felt an unbelievable sense of

peace and forgiveness. It felt like the best hug you could ever imagine.

*Please give a word of encouragement and hope to my readers who may 

be struggling today.*

To this day I know I can cry out to Jesus, no matter my struggle and He

will answer me.  He is with me through the good times and the bad and I no

longer fear who I am, because now I know Whose I am.

Edie lives in upstate SC with her husband, Kirk. She blogs at TheWriteConversation.com