Today we’d like to introduce you to Marilyn Kay Lehman.
Hi Marilyn Kay, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey began when I was a young mother of two daughters. One year after my youngest daughter, Julia, was born, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. After Western medicine had little to offer to help her walk, I turned to alternative treatments. Through many modalities and a few years later, I realized that this has been such an eclectic path; one day, I should write a book chronicling the days and life of our journey. I kept over 20 journaling notebooks from the beginning, writing daily progress notes and stories. Over the next few years, around the age of 40, a vision came to me that I would have an ending around the age of 60. This became true for me, and on January 1, 2024, I started transferring my 23 journal notebooks into a Word document. By that fall, I hit a huge writer’s block and knew I needed help.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I struggled to find a great editor to help me pull all the stories together and make the memoir flow smoothly. I waited again, hoping to find one, and I did in the fall of 2024!
I am a licensed massage therapist by trade, and during one quiet treatment, my mind wandered, and I asked God to please present to me an editor to help me finish my book. Really, this memoir is His. After the massage was finished, we briefly visited, and she shared with me how they had hired a couple of great people, including one who has a wife with a very different business. I was intrigued. My client told me she helps writers become authors!
Needless to say, this was the fastest, positive answered prayer I can ever remember receiving! God knew I needed help! The following Monday, we met, and I signed a contract soon after. I was on track to complete the book by spring 2025. Alpha readers gave glowing responses and then….
I thought I was ready to publish, but there was an unexpected problem about three weeks ago. Thankfully, we encountered this issue, as it allowed me to have my oldest daughter, Emily, review it, and she pointed out some obvious flaws. We can look at it so many times and still not see what is right in front of us. If it had been published without these revisions, I would have been so disappointed. The good Lord gave me a pause to make it as professional as possible.
We’ve been impressed with NeuHealth LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned before, I am a licensed massage therapist. I work from home, where it is a peaceful atmosphere. Most of my clients come to me by word of mouth, which I consider a great compliment.
I love what I do, and I care for every client individually. I take time to listen, observe, and tailor each session to what their body and spirit need in that moment. I am accredited in Myofascial Release, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique, Raindrop Treatment using essential oils, Swedish massage, Cupping, and more. I incorporate Frequency Specific Microcurrent and the Newbie technology for targeted healing.
I am not only proud of the techniques I’ve learned, but I am also honest with every person who trusts me to help them. My love for my Lord and Savior guides the way I care for people, and I believe that’s what truly sets me apart.
And lastly, I’m incredibly proud of my daughters. Their stories, resilience, and the journey we’ve walked together are what inspired my book. The readers will learn much more about that.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I have not thought of myself as a risk-taker, but when I look back on my life, I realize I have taken more risks than I’ve ever given myself credit for. Many of them were decisions I felt propelled into. Choices that, once made, moved forward with full force.
One of those risks came in 2019 when I opened my massage therapy business. For a number of reasons, constant adjustments had to be made. I moved my practice four times before finally realizing that my own home was the most peaceful and fitting place to serve my clients. I persisted and persevered, thankfully. But just as everything settled, the shutdown of 2020 hit. Those were the longest weeks of waiting. When I was finally able to reopen, both my clients and I returned with deep gratitude.
The decision to write this book was also a risk, mostly emotionally. In today’s culture, simply naming a book “Lord, Will You Do It?” makes a bold statement about my faith. I’ve never thought of myself as bold, yet completing this memoir has required a courage I didn’t know I possessed. More importantly, the unexpected healing that took place within me throughout this journey is something I will carry with deep gratitude for the rest of my life.
More than anything, I hope this book reaches people of every background, age, ability, and denomination. I hope it encourages, enlightens, offers hope, and touches lives in ways only God can direct. If taking this risk allows even one person to feel strengthened, then every step of boldness will have been worth it. All glory be to God.
You may find “Lord, Will You Do It?” on Amazon by the end of the year or at my website: openarmspress.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://openarmspress.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.lehman.9/ and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100023737837001
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-lehman-b4692a159/
