Q&A with Will Bowen
Q1. How did To You; Love, God come about?
A. In 2007, I was the minister of a church in Kansas City, Missouri. I noticed that after Sunday services people would leave upbeat and excited, ready to take on whatever life sent their way! But by the middle of the week, it was as if their spiritual batteries had drained down. Monday through Wednesdays, my office was empty, but by Thursday people would be lined up outside my door for prayer and counseling.
I wanted people to have that tuned-in, charged-up Sunday morning feeling every day! So, one morning in prayer, I had the idea of creating an inspirational daily email as if written from God. When I got to my office, I launched a new message and typed, “To You; Love, God.” Then, I offered a little advice and inspiration and closed the message by reminding the reader that they are loved and that “I” (God) am always with them.
Honestly, I seriously considered deleting the email because it felt outrageously egotistical to be writing for God. But then I reasoned, if it helps people feel better then that’s what’s important. I clicked send and waited to see what would happen.
At first, nothing did. Then, little by little, I heard people murmuring about these new emails that they were somehow receiving from “God.” Over time, I noticed some began to print their favorite “God” emails and post them at their workstations.
One afternoon, the church secretary, whom I’d sworn to secrecy about the authorship of the emails, buzzed my phone to tell me that one of our Board Members—a lovable old curmudgeon in his late 80s, was in the church lobby demanding to know who wrote the daily emails from God.
“What should I tell him?” She whispered nervously.
I paused.
“Tell him…tell him God writes them.” I stammered.
I heard her relay my message. The old gentleman cleared his throat and responded in obvious frustration, “Well, that’s too bad. I’d like to have whatever book these came from—they’re really good. I want to give them to all my children and grandkids.”
To You; Love, God is that book. It’s a collection of the best 365 writings culled from more than 2,500 original emails spanning nearly 7 years.
Q2. What’s your inspiration for a new writing every day?
A. Life is my inspiration.
As I’ve read back through the 365 writings that comprise this book, I realize that, in most cases they were responses I was seeking from God during a personal challenge. Or, they are words of encouragement, love and support directed to someone I knew who was going through a particularly difficult struggle.
Ironically, the most frequent comment I receive from readers is, “Thank you, this must have been written just for me!” even though I’ve never met the person. This shows me once again the universality of our human condition. People in the United States have many of the same concerns, fears and struggles as people in China and everywhere in between. And they all want to know that they are loved, supported and guided.
Q3. What was the response when the email recipients found out it was you ghost writing for God?
A. I kept my authorship of the daily emails secret because I didn’t want anyone to hear my voice in their heads when they read them. These were from God and God is unique to everyone.
It took about six years for people to figure out that I was behind God’s daily emails. Once word got out, I began receiving calls and emails thanking me and telling me how much people came to count on the messages to help get them through their day.
Several people shared touching stories including a woman who sat with her dying mother. She said that reading the daily emails from God was a ritual the two shared right up until the end. In her email, she quoted the To You; Love, God message she read the morning her mother passed and commented on how perfectly it both summed up her mother’s life and comforted her as well. It was very touching and immensely gratifying.
Q4. Who can this book help the most?
A. To You, Love God offers support and practical guidance for people struggling with relationships, self-acceptance, happiness, health, prosperity, inner peace, and forgiveness. Anyone seeking a little guidance, inspiration, and a feeling of oneness with God and with everything will find that and more.