Hi there! I've decided to write a post about my book, "Why We Run", and how on earth it got published. I'll try to keep this short and sweet. :)
My whole life I've loved to read, and sometimes write. In 4th grade, I won the young writers conference with my picture book, "Santa's Lost Socks". I got to spend the day at Iowa Wesleyan College. It was so fun.
Then, in 11th grade, I wrote an essay about Farm Safety, sponsored by the REC in Mt. Pleasant. I won a trip to Washington DC. It really is a miracle, as I'm not a farm girl. I have no idea how this victory came about. Anyway, I remember packing my suitcase, the night before my first flight ever. We were watching that movie about the plane roof that ripped off. True story. People were being sucked out of the plane, still strapped in their seats. Mom, why were we watching that?
When I became a mom, I had this intense desire to write a children's book for my children. I knew it had to be about running, as that was such an important part of my life. I have very vivid memories of running with my dad as a little girl.. I wanted my kids to feel that bond, as well.
Then I became involved with the 12:1 Run. Hmm.. maybe my story could incorporate helping others?
In the Summer of 2011, God blessed my life with a trip to Burundi, Africa. While there, we delivered the chlorine producing units that the 12:1 Run raised money for. We spent a week teaching the villagers how to use these. A week looking at filthy, sick children, who made my heart hurt. I became overwhelmed with emotion for these people. Their lives were being dramatically changed. Dramatically improved! These mothers were holding their babes, and looking at us with hope!
And I became emotional for my people at home. The 12:1 Run Team, who have become my closest friends. Who pour their hearts into loving people they will never meet, this side of heaven. The sponsors, volunteers, and registrants who sacrifice their money, time, and energy into loving people they will never meet, this side of heaven. I just can't believe God lets me be a part of something so amazing.
I came home from Africa with a new drive towards the 12:1 Run. Yes, it's a lot of work. A lot of time. Sometimes frustrating, sometimes exhausting. But, I saw first-hand what God uses the 12:1 Run for.
I laid in bed one night.. tossing and turning. Then, the Lord spoke to me. I didn't actually hear His voice, but I knew it was from Him. I knew what my book was to be about. I hopped up, and started writing. Four hours later, I had written my first children's book. I believe with all my heart, that the words were from God.
The next morning, I read it to my kids. They were very sweet, very encouraging and very patient. I couldn't read it without crying. They patted my back, and Will dabbed my eyes with toilet paper. Mission accomplished. I wrote a children's book for my children.
As time went on...I felt an urging to pursue this book. It was on my computer, but maybe it needed to be (gasp!) published? No way. I'm a mom, and a nurse. I'm not a writer. But I kept feeling the Holy Spirit prompt me.. to pursue...
Enough for today.. stay tuned :)
Blessings and JOY!
Libby
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Looks so right, but oh, so wrong!
This past Summer, some good friends of ours hosted a BBQ at their home. The host and hostess, incredibly friendly people, invited a lot of guests. Men and women mingled about, while the yard crawled with kids. In an effort to ease the restroom traffic indoors, our friends rented a port-potty for outdoors. I have made it my personal mission in life to avoid port-potties. They're just...disgusting.
Soon enough, my five-year-old daughter had to go potty. I assessed the situation. The party had just started, so I didn't think anyone else had been in there. It looked fairly newish. No strong odors lurking about. And I knew my friend, nicknamed "Princess", would only rent the best.
Resigned, I took Faith's hand and we entered the structure. So far, so good. All was well. Just as we were about to make our exit, and be home free, Faith grabbed a round disk and proceeded to wash her hands. Did I mention the round disk was in the urinal?? Screaming, I snatched my girl, and we rushed outside to the hand sanitizer.
What was that? It appeared to be a bar of soap, but why was it in the urinal? Alarmed, I marched over to where my husband was enjoying his hamburger with a group of his buddies. Their mouths dropped open as I asked why a bar of soap would be in the urinal. The mouths dropped further when they heard Faith washed her hands with it. Suddenly, I met a collective burst of chortling and guffawing, that resonated throughout the yard. How was I supposed to know what a urinal puck was? I'm not a dude. And I don't go in porta-potties. It looked so right...but was just so terribly wrong.
Have you ever been in a situation that seemed right...but was terribly wrong? Maybe it was a little lie, needed to obtain something you wanted. Or a flirtatious look towards someone taken. Maybe it was a loss of temper, that should have been restrained. Or succumbing to something, that you know is an addiction.
In the Old Testament, David found himself in a situation that seemed right...but was terribly wrong. We know David as a King, a war hero, the victor over Goliath, strong and handsome. He was also a man who loved God. In fact, he was known as a man after God's own heart. Could you imagine if God nicknamed you that? Yet, there he was, creeping on the married Bathsheba as she bathed in the courtyard.
Right then, David had a choice. He could flee...or he could fall. David assessed the situation, and chose to fall. David fell deeper and deeper into sin- he committed adultery, impregnated Bathsheba, killed her husband and deceived all who loved him.
David was caught. And punished. His son died. God promised that murder would be a constant threat in his rebellious family, and someone else would sleep with his wives. So many people were hurt in the wake of David's selfish decision. Yet the One he hurt the most, was the One who loved him the most.
What if David had played out that scene..in his mind? Before he fell. He would see the pain, agony, and death. Bathsheba might not have been looking so good.
God has made a promise to us. "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (I Corinthians 10:13) It's a promise. God doesn't break those.
Is there a happy ending? Yes! God restored David, the broken man. Psalm 51 is David's song to the Lord; his plea for mercy, forgiveness and cleansing. God blessed David and Bathsheba with a son named Solomon, also called Jedediah. The meaning of this name is "Loved by the Lord". David did not continue to dwell on his sin. Nor should we. When we return to God, accept his forgiveness, and change our ways, he gives us a fresh start.
The best part? God did not take David's nickname...he was still a man after God's own heart. And suffice it to say, Faith and I will not be visiting any more port-potties in the near future!
Happy endings for all.
Blessings and JOY!
Libby
Soon enough, my five-year-old daughter had to go potty. I assessed the situation. The party had just started, so I didn't think anyone else had been in there. It looked fairly newish. No strong odors lurking about. And I knew my friend, nicknamed "Princess", would only rent the best.
Resigned, I took Faith's hand and we entered the structure. So far, so good. All was well. Just as we were about to make our exit, and be home free, Faith grabbed a round disk and proceeded to wash her hands. Did I mention the round disk was in the urinal?? Screaming, I snatched my girl, and we rushed outside to the hand sanitizer.
What was that? It appeared to be a bar of soap, but why was it in the urinal? Alarmed, I marched over to where my husband was enjoying his hamburger with a group of his buddies. Their mouths dropped open as I asked why a bar of soap would be in the urinal. The mouths dropped further when they heard Faith washed her hands with it. Suddenly, I met a collective burst of chortling and guffawing, that resonated throughout the yard. How was I supposed to know what a urinal puck was? I'm not a dude. And I don't go in porta-potties. It looked so right...but was just so terribly wrong.
Have you ever been in a situation that seemed right...but was terribly wrong? Maybe it was a little lie, needed to obtain something you wanted. Or a flirtatious look towards someone taken. Maybe it was a loss of temper, that should have been restrained. Or succumbing to something, that you know is an addiction.
In the Old Testament, David found himself in a situation that seemed right...but was terribly wrong. We know David as a King, a war hero, the victor over Goliath, strong and handsome. He was also a man who loved God. In fact, he was known as a man after God's own heart. Could you imagine if God nicknamed you that? Yet, there he was, creeping on the married Bathsheba as she bathed in the courtyard.
Right then, David had a choice. He could flee...or he could fall. David assessed the situation, and chose to fall. David fell deeper and deeper into sin- he committed adultery, impregnated Bathsheba, killed her husband and deceived all who loved him.
David was caught. And punished. His son died. God promised that murder would be a constant threat in his rebellious family, and someone else would sleep with his wives. So many people were hurt in the wake of David's selfish decision. Yet the One he hurt the most, was the One who loved him the most.
What if David had played out that scene..in his mind? Before he fell. He would see the pain, agony, and death. Bathsheba might not have been looking so good.
God has made a promise to us. "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (I Corinthians 10:13) It's a promise. God doesn't break those.
Is there a happy ending? Yes! God restored David, the broken man. Psalm 51 is David's song to the Lord; his plea for mercy, forgiveness and cleansing. God blessed David and Bathsheba with a son named Solomon, also called Jedediah. The meaning of this name is "Loved by the Lord". David did not continue to dwell on his sin. Nor should we. When we return to God, accept his forgiveness, and change our ways, he gives us a fresh start.
The best part? God did not take David's nickname...he was still a man after God's own heart. And suffice it to say, Faith and I will not be visiting any more port-potties in the near future!
Happy endings for all.
Blessings and JOY!
Libby
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)