As I said I recently published my first book. I went the self publishing route which was a learning experience. This "blogging" is a learning experience as well. I am still not certain I understand how I am supposed to "correctly blog". Anyway, I am sure I will learn with time, practice, and most likely some mistakes.
Back to the book, I have been involved with Children's ministry for around 15 years. During Christmas 2003 I was "downsized", it happened on a Monday in November. The Sunday Night prior to being laid off on Monday morning, I responded during the invitation. At first, my response was, "God, you can deal with me here in the pew". His call grew stronger and I went forward to speak with my pastor. I told him I really did not know what I had come forward for, only that God had insisted I do so. We prayed together at the alter that night. The next day when I was called to HR to find I was part of a group of 46 who were losing thier job my first thought was God's call the night prior. I knew immediately that God had prepared me to receive this news. I felt secure and did not worry (Luke 12:22-34). I knew I still must get to work finding work because there I was a husband and father of four and no job.
Several weeks later during my children's Christmas Musical in early December, I found myself "sizing" everyone up. You know, looking over at Brother so-n-so and thinking he has a nice job at company X, and over there my Brother in Christ has a job at company Y, and Brother John Doe owns his own business. I knew God would provide, but the Devil was still trying to use this time in my life to plant seeds of envy. A story began to form in my mind, at the time I didn't understand it to be related to my current minds state of envy, I just thought my brain had shifted gears. I couldn't get this little story out of my mind and when I got home that night I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning putting the first version on paper.
I shared the story a year later with family and friends and I would get comments like "you should write children's books", and "I would have never thought of the Christmas Story from that perspective". I appreciated the comments and in my mind thought how wonderful it would be to write children's books. I had always made up what I refer to as modern day parables. Jesus related to men and women in the Bible with stories they could relate to and I have always tried to make up stories containing Biblical principles that children can relate to, God has given me hundreds that I have told over the years. Let me clarify one thing, there is no substitute for scripture and God's Word is complete.
Well it took me five years to finally publish the little story that helped me understand the sin of envy in my life during Christmas five years ago and offer encouragement at the same time. I am not setting any records with book sales and that is OK. I have defined success as having impacted a minimum of one life for God through the publishing of this book. God has blessed me beyond what I deserve and I praise Him.
People are hurting, not just this time of year, though Holiday's can magnify hurt. Praise God, I have not had to deal with losing a parent, I have not had to deal with one of my children being seriously sick, or with losing one of my four beautiful kido's, there are lots of hurts I have not experienced. However, I have experienced God's comfort during other trials in my life like losing a job. God's comfort and Grace are sufficient for all of lifes hurts, so while I may not have experienced the same hurt as you I can say through experiencing God's comfort that it is more than sufficient no matter what you are going through.
As I said all my modern day parables have Biblical principles at their core, below listed are the principles for this very special little Christmas book. At least it is special to me, it is a story I believe God gave me and I am not the most talented author or illustrator. I still feel it important to share the story with others.
By the way...Is this called a blog? (What I have just posted)
Principles you can discuss with your child related to the storyline of this book
Do not envy others
Everyone has a special gift or ability and all these come from God
Often good things/successes prevent our living for God
We should continue to live for God even when bad things happen or we are scared
Sharing the Good News of Jesus and showing others His way is every one's ultimate purpose
Be content with what you have/where you are as long as you are in His will
Be available for God's purpose for your life
Each time you read the book to your child you could focus on one of these principles giving the story a different emphasis with each reading.
Enjoy the Book and your time with your child
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