Issue 1347 – Public Reading – January 18, 2024
With yesterday being a snow day, Kathy and I were blessed to have a houseful of children. In addition to our two granddaughters, we had six other neighbourhood girls who also came over.
They had a great day. Kathy hosted a dress-your-own pizza party for them at lunch. They baked, watched a musical (Seven Brides For Seven Brothers) and played out in the snow numerous times. The house was abuzz with children’s activity all day.
I also got to do my first “public reading” of my first children’s book. The Surprising Arrival tells of some of the adventures of Willow Badger and friends at River Edge Farms and is targeted to children 8-12.
The book is not Christian, but it deals with community, friendship, choices and more. One critic said,
“Overall, the narrative encourages readers to approach life with an open heart, a curious mind, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.”
“Despite the unusual nature of the visitor—a mouse captaining a tiny sailboat—Willow Badger remains open-minded and friendly. He welcomes the unexpected guest with warmth and hospitality, demonstrating the importance of embracing diversity and being open to new experiences.”
“The story emphasizes the virtue of patience.”
“The story suggests that friendships can form unexpectedly and that judging others based on appearances may lead to missed opportunities for meaningful connections.”
The story worked; I read it and kept the attention of 8 girls ages 8-16(?) for the better part of an hour. They laughed at the parts where I inserted humour, picked up on critical repetitions and were curious about some of the characters and mysteries. For example, why was the cat with no name afraid of mice, and why does he dislike water?
The story was written and illustrated with my six grandchildren, who contributed names, story ideas, and helpful feedback. I surprised them at Christmas by giving each a hardcover printed concept copy and an original of my drawings of each grandchild. Every grandchild had a character in the story named after them.
Since then, I have substantially rewritten and improved the story. I have completed a second story; a third is about 75% done. That covers summer, winter and spring. Once a fourth is completed, I will look into having them more professionally edited and critiqued and see if I can generate some interest from a publisher to do a series of books.
That may be a pipe dream, but I am enjoying the process. At a bare minimum I have blessed my grandchildren and learned a new skill.
If I am honest, part of me wanted to use today’s Gleanings to share how thrilled I was that the book could hold the audience so well.
It did bring to mind some Scriptures that relate to public reading and sharing about our faith.
Paul exhorts Timothy
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 1 Timothy 4:13
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord.” Exodus 10:1-2
Jesus spoke to the formerly demon-possessed man.
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:18-20
Jewish Law commands it.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
We are to tell others about what God has done. Our faith is not designed to be a secret.
May you share your story of God’s grace and love boldly.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2024 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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