On a recent sunny Sunday afternoon, I had the opportunity to sit down at a coffee shop with local author and friend Halle Birmingham to hear about her journey to authorship. She arrived at our meeting spot with a gift in hand, her second self-published book, Prayers in the Waiting. I cannot put into words what a privilege it was to sit down and have a conversation with her, swapping stories of defeat and stories of hope. I am confident you will enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.
Halle is a true Mooresville native gem, born and raised here. She left Mooresville only to attend college at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC where she obtained her degree in elementary education. She has worked in education for nine years, currently serving our community as a first grade teacher.
Something Halle didn’t have on her BINGO card was becoming an author, but she has now written and self-published two books. The first book God prompted Halle to write is called The Classroom Gospel, a book about learning to have childlike faith through the lives and lessons of first grade students. She admitted she wrestled with God when He put it on her heart to write The Classroom Gospel because she “didn’t feel qualified” for more reasons than one. She had just started “really” reading the Bible for the first time, so she asked, “Why would God choose me?” Though she wrestled, she eventually chose to lean in to His calling and, after much proofreading and time, she self-published and released the book in 2021. She quickly knew without a doubt that God’s hand was all over it because of the way the book touched so many lives of educators and non-educators alike, helping to build their faith and relationship in the Lord. Halle continuously gives all glory to God.
When God called Halle to write a second book, she had no idea what it would be about at first, but she was eager to be obedient right away, trusting Him fully. So began Prayers in the Waiting. I wondered what was different about this book than the first one, and Halle immediately responded with, “That is my heart. Prayers in the Waiting shows the ugliest parts of my heart because it’s my journal entries of times I’ve been in the trenches.” That’s when Halle shared with me about the infertility journey she and her husband have been facing, which her journal entries in the book reflect. Several times as Halle was sharing her story with me, she would smile and say, “Go God!” and “But God!” She’s not out of the valley of waiting, yet she has God’s peace all over her. I left that day feeling inspired by her ability to be raw in our conversation about the trenches she’s in, all while radiating joy, hope and empathy.
As soon as I got home, I was eager to curl up and begin reading Prayers in the Waiting with a highlighter in hand. It took me three days to finish. I couldn’t put it down! Halle shows up in the most beautifully vulnerable way sharing evidence of the Lord’s goodness to His people through His Word. She described the writing process as “effortless” which is why she is confident it was “all God.” She closes each chapter with a prayer over the reader, and more than one of those prayers left me in tears. The book is chock full of wisdom, encouragement and hope. It is a book for anyone in any kind of waiting (which is all of us).
Halle’s heart reflects Jesus. She is no doubt living out the calling God has placed on her life, and I am an official Halle Birmingham fan (okay…I already was).
Friend, if I can encourage you to do anything this month, it is to go to Fred and June’s Books in Mooresville RIGHT NOW and pick up one (or both!) of Halle Birmingham’s books. You will not be disappointed.
