More than a decade ago Maybelle Denwiddie got a nudge from God.

He was encouraging her to write a book but, in 2003 she didn’t believe she had the time or ability.

She ignored Him.

“One day maybe, I thought,” Ms Denwiddie said.

In 2014 God gave her further encouragement, providing chapter titles that she “jotted down in the notes section” of her phone.

“However I still couldn’t decide where to begin or how to proceed,” Ms Denwiddie said. “There were times when preaching, teaching, or in conversation when I would just briefly refer to experiences that had taken place in my life and those listening would comment, ‘You need to write a book’.”

Her son Devray made it happen. He pointed out that her book could ultimately become her legacy and that any experiences she wrote about might help someone else.

She finally got started last December but found it a challenge to stay motivated until she ran into Latisha Washington, a local author who helps would-be novelists through her class, 16 Weeks to Published.

Ms Denwiddie eagerly signed up and last month released her book, Mapping A Divine Destiny.

“Because of other commitments, I wasn’t able to attend until the fourth class however these classes were the driving force I needed to get the job done and I’m so grateful for all the wisdom the instructor imparted,” she said.

“My desire has always been to give those who were experiencing painful experiences hope. The vicissitudes in my life have been instrumental in the making of the person I’ve become. And I knew if I didn’t tell my story others who were encountering similar situations wouldn’t have the encouragement they needed from me.”

The author wants her readers to know that God has been faithful to her and will similarly help them through any difficulty.

“My book gives glimpses into the challenges I encountered throughout my life that helped to shape me into the person I am today,” she said. “The road to destiny is never smooth or predictable but with God as my guide, I’ve made it thus far and have the assurance that I will make it to the finish line.”

Born into a Christian family, Ms Denwiddie accepted Christ into her heart at age 5. Tragedy struck at age 22 when her mother, Mildred Lesseline Dickenson, died. “Totally heartbroken”, she fell “into a deep depression”.

“Another hardship happened after I was married. My husband and I lived far out in a country area in Tennessee,” she said. “Living there proved to be a traumatic experience for me which I elaborate further in Chapter Seven of my book. I was ostracised in a foreign land by people who professed to be Christians, people who once treated us well. I had no family or friends to call on. Only God got me through that ordeal.”

In her book, she details many other ups and downs in her life and how her faith helped her through.

“It’s my desire that my journey would encourage readers not to give up when situations are adverse and there seems to be no way out,” she said. “I hope that people will make the decision to choose God and follow Him. I want them to know that they can trust God with their lives, so I encourage them to not let their present circumstances predict their future.”

She’s “relieved” to see her book in print and that she was finally able to complete the assignment God gave her 16 years ago.

“Although it may seem delayed, every assignment is strategically timed by Almighty God and this is the right time,” she said.

Mapping A Divine Destiny, $20, is available at Brown & Co and Amazon.com. Copies are also available directly from Maybelle Denwiddie: maiseyden@gmail.com. Look for Author Maybelle Denwiddie on Facebook.