DawnCheré Wilkerson chatted about her new book “Slow Burn: The Work and Wonder of the Wait.”
Background on DawnCheré Wilkerson
Wilkerson is a speaker, singer, songwriter, author, and local pastor who loves encouraging people of all ages to never give up.
After an eight-year journey through infertility, DawnCheré and her husband, Rich Wilkerson, have seen the faithfulness of God as they have welcomed their four children, Wyatt, Wilde, Waylon, and Wolfgang, into the world.
DawnCheré and Rich are the lead pastors of VOUS Church in Miami, Florida.
How did the new book come about?
After walking through eight years of infertility, I realized that what I learned in the wait brought strength and depth to the rest of my journey in life.
It is possible to find peace in the midst of uncertainty and vision in the midst of the unknown. God uses it all and redeems time with power and beauty.
Was it cathartic for you to write about?
It was refreshing to revisit key moments in my life that were critical crossroads.
In moments when I was truly confused, overwhelmed or dissapointed, there was always a reassurance that my heart was grounded in more than the current circumstance.
I was overwhelmed with gratitude to see the journey in retrospect thus far.
Why did you decide to write about finding joy in waiting?
There is a promise in the Bible that God’s joy is our strength. We often think that gratitude is a feeling but its actually a choice, as is celebration.
In some of the most difficult times, finding things to celebrate has not just gotten me through but allowed me to thrive.
How does it feel to be a part of the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
It’s a battle for me to protect moments of introspection that are meant to remain intimate.
I came to a place in 2020 where I realized there had to be a delineation in my daily routine to not share certain sacred moments online but rather hold them “deep in my soul instead.”
Some things that we are wrestling with in our hearts aren’t meant to be processed publicly.
What do your plans for the future include?
My plans are to raise my kids, love my husband, build our local community and keep writing! I want to continue to grow in my faith.
Were there any moments in your life or career that have helped define you?
One of the moments that helped define my life was choosing to share my story publicly.
I had walked through infertility for six years and was waiting until I had the baby to share that we had struggled to conceive.
I came to a place where I realized I had a story before the baby, a much larger story and that was the faithfulness of God in the wait.
I will carry that revelation with me for the rest of my life. All of our stories are different but as children of God the defining story line is the same; the steadfast love of God.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Fulfilling the plan of God for your life. If he is the architect and builder then I want the design and timing he desires.
It’s not the achievements that create my identity. Its knowing that I am a daughter of God.
It doesn’t get better than that. But He gives us all responsibility and I don’t want to bury it in the sand.
I want to faithfully invest my time here on earth so that what he has given me may multiply for his glory.
What would you like to tell our readers about your book? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
Waiting is not for a season. Waiting is life. The question is, “will you live in the wait?” There’s an adventure waiting for you here and now and its full of work and wonder.
Her new book “Slow Burn” is available for pre-order on Amazon by clicking here.
To learn more about DawnCheré Wilkerson, follow her on Instagram, and visit the book’s official website.
