Deal Sharing Aunt: FROM TURMOIL TO PEACE by Delia E. Hayward Excerpt & Interview

Friday, September 5, 2025

FROM TURMOIL TO PEACE by Delia E. Hayward Excerpt & Interview

A single mom with a troubled past finds hope and peace when she discovers God’s love.…

Title: FROM TURMOIL TO PEACE

Author: Delia E. Hayward

Publisher: Emery Press Books

Pages: 206

Genre: Christian Memoir

Format: Paperback, Kindle

Delia Hayward, one of eight children, grew up during the Hippie Era in a dysfunctional family, for whom emotional and physical abuse was a normal occurrence of her childhood. Her marriage further deteriorated what little self-esteem she retained from her childhood.

Perhaps these torments are what made her desperately seek God and a personal relationship with Him.

When her marriage fell apart, she rose to the challenge of raising three sons alone. With the help of God and sheer determination, Delia managed to instill positive self-esteem and a love for God into the hearts of the next generation.

As you read this book, may you also find hope in the midst of your storm, and may God bring you from turmoil to peace.

Read sample here.

From Turmoil to Peace is available at Amazon and Barnes&Noble.

Book Excerpt

I continued attending Al-Anon meetings to improve my life. One day, my sponsor advised me to make a God Box; I needed to learn how to trust God. I was to put all the things I could not handle, could not afford, or could not change down on strips of paper. Then I was to put those strips of paper into the box and give them all to Him. Then I was to wait to see how many of those things were taken care of by Him.

As I put each strip of paper into my God Box, I wept with relief. With every folded piece of paper, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was giving my worries to God and would trust Him to take care of them. A calm and peace came over me and I knew God was with me. I remembered many years ago when I had screamed at God in desperation, and He told me I didn’t trust him. Finally, I was learning how to trust Him.

One day, I didn’t have enough money to buy food for the week, but I knew that God would take care of us. When I walked to the mailbox, there was a check for $70, just for switching telephone companies. That check paid for food for that week. Other times, I would find money in my pockets just when I was out of cash. God was taking care of me.

In Al-Anon, I learned more about God, life, reactions, and forgiveness. It was now time for me to forgive the man I hated; the man who had done so many terrible things to me and our boys. How was I supposed to forgive the man who tried to kill me? I was told that I had to pray for John every day, ask God to bless him, and give him everything he needed.

I didn’t want to pray for John. I wished he was dead. I hated him. He continued to harass me by telephone. However, I prayed for John as I was told. This was supposed to help me get rid of the hate inside me. Soon after I began praying for him, I could feel my anger and hatred towards him fade away. They were replaced by compassion for the man who had lost a beautiful, loving family, and didn’t know God. The harassing phone calls suddenly stopped. God was awesome!

Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Give me the strength and power to extend that same mercy and grace to those in my life who have hurt me.

– Excerpted from From Turmoil to Peace by Delia Hayward, Emery Press Books, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Delia Hayward is a proud mother of three wonderful sons, a beautiful granddaughter and a precious grandson. God put it on her heart to write this book “From Turmoil to Peace” so that people could benefit from her life experiences. She has been blessed and hopes her book blesses others.

Interview:

Where are you from?

I was born in Massachusetts, but I've called Florida home since January 1980.

Tell us your latest news?

My heart is full—my first granddaughter is getting married this October!

When and why did you begin writing?

Writing began as a calling. I felt God place it on my heart, and I knew I had to follow His lead. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The moment I completed my book, I truly saw myself as a writer.

What inspired you to write your first book?

It was divine inspiration—God was my guide and my reason.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I don’t follow a particular style; I simply write from the heart.

How did you come up with the title?

From Turmoil to Peace came naturally—it perfectly reflects the journey of my life.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Absolutely. No matter how hopeless life may seem, there is always hope and transformation through trusting in the Lord.

How much of the book is realistic?

Every part of it is rooted in reality.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? The experiences are drawn entirely from my own life.

What books have influenced your life most?

The Bible has had the greatest impact on my life and continues to guide me every day.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I consider Rick Warren a mentor. His devotionals and books have deeply impacted me—he writes with such purpose, always aiming to uplift and guide others in their spiritual journey.

What book are you reading now?

I'm currently reading Demystifying the Prophetic by Joseph Z. It's been both enlightening and thought-provoking.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

At the moment, I haven’t come across any new writers who’ve caught my attention. What are your current projects?

I’m hoping to write a book that captures the miracles and blessings I’ve experienced from God since completing my last book in 2014. It’s a story that’s been growing in my heart for years.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?

I’m hoping to write a book that captures the miracles and blessings I’ve experienced from God since completing my last book in 2014. It’s a story that’s been growing in my heart for years.

What would you like my readers to know?

I want readers to know that God is always present. He guides us, protects us, and lovingly teaches us how to live according to His will. His love is so profound that He gave us His only Son, so that through Him, we may have everlasting life. No matter what we face, we are never truly alone—so long as we keep our hearts and minds close to the Father.

You can visit her website at https://deliahayward.name/ and follow her at Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/delia.hayward.14.