Local author, Rita K. Coleman, will be holding a signing for her book “God’s Hand and Order” at the Minden branch of Webster Parish Libraries from 2 PM until 5 PM on August 4.
Coleman wrote this book about her experiences growing up in Springhill and the people in the community who had a great influence on her life.
Coleman, who is the mother of 4 and grandmother of 13, is a devout Christian who feels that God has led her to writing this book.
“I just believe in God; I’m a believer. Therefore, I know that he has molded me,” said Coleman. “I’m a shy person. Wasn’t popular in school. Wasn’t an A student. I struggled, and I did struggle with writing the book.”
Even after the book was complete, the struggle continued. As most authors know, finding someone to publish a book can be more difficult than writing it.
“I tried to publish in 2009 with a company, and it wasn’t successful,” Coleman said. “And I kind of thought, ‘Well, forget about that.’”
She left Springhill in 2018 but, when she returned, she discovered that God still wanted her to get her book out.
“He told me through a young minister. He said, ‘That thing that you want to do…when you get ready, do it.’ And I could only think of one thing that I had tried to do that was very important to me, except being a mother.”
“I was always so different. I could always hear Him. I hear people say ‘something told me.’ No, it wasn’t ‘something,’ He was talking directly to me.”
In her book, Coleman talks about growing up as one of seven children in Springhill, her struggles with the transition in school during desegregation, and the teachers and community members who helped her through it.
“There are people who aren’t acknowledged at the time, but when they leave, you think ‘oh, I remember when…’”
Included in the book is a poem that Coleman wrote acknowledging comedians and the joy they bring others even though they are often feeling the deepest pain.
Coleman has already had a book signing at the Springhill branch of Webster Parish Libraries and another in Cotton Valley. The next one will be held at the Minden branch, and she is planning one for Homer as well.
“I’m moving around because some of the people I’ve talked about are in Minden. Some of them are deceased, but I’m sure they have family members who are still there. I wanted to reach people who had not heard about it.”
Coleman wants people to know that God is present in their lives.
“God — no matter what you’re going through — He wants you to have the best life, He says abundant life. I want them to know that He is there. He is right there. Just because you cannot see Him, He’s still there. He’s in your presence.”
Coleman’s book “God’s Hand and Order” is available now. She plans to have a short story about how she knows God hears her published by Christmas.