I Taught Children’s Church for 30 Years

 During the early years I would search for stories, skits, puppets plays; anything that would help to get the teaching across to the children. Often I would be making bite-sized meals for hungry little minds so they could understand the simple truths of the gospel.

A Story is Birthed

 One such time turned into a story that I could see impacted them. I went a little further with the story and shared it with friends. Upon encouragement the story was sent as a query to a publisher. It was a daring step that did not reap any results for a year. During that year I wrestled with thoughts of inadequacy due to no response from the publisher and the fact that I had no writing background. At the end of that year, I forced myself to call the publisher.

 When they heard who I was, the excitement at the other end was astonishing to me. “We lost your contact number and couldn’t find you! We’ve just had a meeting and decided to start a children’s division and your book was brought up by a secretary who has kept it on her desk because she loved it so much. Let me put you through to the editor immediately.”

My Heart was in My Throat!

Someone had believed in me and even promoted me! I had one year to prepare for the best and all I could focus on was the worst….until that day I called. I had pushed forward in spite of how I really felt. The book was published and produced a series totaling three books. They had taken the story, worked on the wording, illustrated it beautifully with adorable characters.

(The fourth book, Don’t Hug a Grudge, was separate from the series.)

Like a Deer Caught in the Headlights

It was my first query, my first published book and I was stunned…a deer caught in the headlights. When something like this happens to such an unlikely person, you can’t help but see God all over it. I have to go back to the message in each book. It was always about teachings that would bring children into a closer relationship with the Father. I loved the children and wanted to equip them with every word on each page.

The Books Went Out of Print

The books went out of print and I waited for God to do something for years. It finally came through to me that I needed to do something, to step forward once again. In the first book, The Flight of Orville Wright Caterpillar, he dreamed big about flying one day with actions to back it up. He bought books on flying, maps, and goggles. Well, I dreamed big too and needed to put some action to my dream. The books are being re-issued the first part of 2010 for the next generation that will dream big in Jesus. The idea of ’stepping forward’ isn’t new, just risky. Like Orville Wright Caterpillar, I have a Voice deep inside me that ‘plays umpire and gives me peace’ even in the unknown. I’m stepping forward into 2010 and excited about continuing my dream…. ’publish the Word to all generations!’

Love your comments…leave them for all our readers!