PENSACOLA, Fla. - s4story -- Thea Coker, a 69 year-old writer, started life as a rebel.

"I was stubborn and headstrong," says Coker. "I was not easily controlled. I didn't want anyone else telling me what to do."

The combination of time and her parents' unwavering faith inspired Coker to seek out the grace of God in her own life, the subject of her first book,Gleanings of Grace: Stories Depicting My Journey into Joy.

"I went from doubt to devotion, from skeptic to true believer," says the grandmother of 17 in this heart-warming Christian memoir. "I learned how to forge my own path to God, a path of joy."

In this witty and winding story, Coker shares spiritual truths that helped her see her life as a gift.

"God knows and loves the real you, despite your mistakes," she says. "I had to learn how to accept His forgiveness, and more importantly, my own."

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"Thea's passion for the gospel and her love for Jesus inspires so many," says Tim Coleman, pastor at the Point Baptist Church in Pensacola where Coker is a long-time member. "Her creative writings will encourage you and turn your thoughts to the grace of Jesus Christ."

Dr. Greg Woodfin of Woodfin Cabassa Orthodontics in Pensacola agrees: "I have never known Thea to be anything but positive in her outlook; she always trusts God and His plan. I can only imagine that God has a plan for Thea and this book. I know it will be a blessing to those who read it."

Coker is a spiritual coach with more than 30 years of experience teaching and writing about the Bible. A cheerleader for the Almighty, she empowers women of all ages to embrace their faith.

Coker lives in Beach Haven, Pensacola, with her husband, Don, a retired pastor.

Gleanings of Graceispublished by Trysting Place, Fort Myers, Florida, and is available at bookstores or online athttps://www.amazon.com/Gleanings-Grace-Stories-Depicting-Journey/dp/0692929835for $16.99.

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Media Contact: Thea J. Coker Phone: (850) 221-4549Email: gleaningsofgrace118@gmail.com