The Characters in God's Story

I scoop away mulch and sprinkle old, ugly seeds into the fresh-made furrows, covering them with dirt and woodchips

My hands pull a sheet of wire over the raised bed to prevent the barn cats from turning it into a litter box. Then Daddy helps me gently water the soil. I pray for rain; I dream of a fall harvest, if only the frost holds off long enough.

I'm a hopeful gardener as I stuff the partially used bag of wrinkled seeds into the freezer for another season. Like the beauty-less husks of the seeds that can produce so rich a harvest, I'm reminded:

God can use anyone in His story.

Oh, what a reason to praise Him!

As 2025 dawned, I read the book of Genesis and wondered at the characters God selected:

Noah built an ark.

Abraham left his home to enter unknown lands.

Jacob wrestled with God and fathered the 12 tribes of Israel.

Joseph saved Egypt (and the world) from starvation.

The accounts are amazing... but after several memorable, amazing feats that God did in their lives, they died. Another character rose up to continue the story.

As I read, I wondered who the hero of the story was when these guys had such little (though significant) moments in the story. Who is the Story of this world, the Story of history truly about?

I realized: the Hero is God.

All along. From history past to this current moment to the years to come, God is writing a story, and He is the Hero of it. And He delights to use people to be characters in His narrative.

(is that crazy amazing, or what?!)

He worked in Noah, in Abraham, in Jacob, in Joseph, because they knew He was the Main Character, and they trusted in Him. Thousands of years have passed—those characters have gone—and it's our turn.

I look at my own life, and I'm tempted to either think I'm the Main Character of this world's story (ha) or maybe I'm not a character God can use at all.

I'm a wrinkled seed in a package, tucked in the freezer, and I wonder how on earth I could ever produce a harvest. I read stories of other "seeds" who did awesome works for the Lord—missionaries who traveled to dangerous places, people who lived by radical obedience, friends today who walk in boldness knowing their God can do mighty things.

Those little stories are amazing... but they're from naturally broken, sinful people like me who have no ability to muster up fruit out of their own little abilities.

We're seeds in a freezer. We can't do much.

But faith.

The Biblical people in Genesis were servants of God. They believed God's promises and banked their whole lives on Him, and God used them as side characters in His huge story.

Can I give my entire life to serve and support Jesus—my Hero?

Can I have grace to see the weaknesses in myself and in my brothers and sisters while knowing God is at work anyway?

Can I humbly trust that the God who saved the earth from a flood and adorns the skies with His rainbow of promise can also use us—ordinary people—as we walk by faith in the Hero of the story?

Can I strip my eyes off me and the judgement in my soul and fall at His feet in joy that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because He paid my entire price on the cross, and the coming Restoration and Judgement on the Day of the Lord (aka, the climax) is going to be so good for the children of God?!

Can my life be given for the Hero?

Today, may I be simply a seed... one who knows her Gardener well and trusts Him for the planting, the soil, the water, the growth, and the produce because He selected her lovingly for this purpose.

May I joy in simply being a character in God's story and joy in Jesus being the Hero.

May I lift up the other characters because they too are essential to this tale and deeply beloved by the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Father, help us be characters in Your story well.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him...

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth...

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

Hebrews 11:6, 13, 16

~♥~

Statue of Liberty || a poem

Statue of Liberty || a poem

 

we walked the cobblestone promenade of Liberty Walkway

with her torch before us

and behind, sunset beams leaking through Jersey clouds.

where Ellis Island raises a banner of freedom,

a million eyes can see from glass work offices,

but she’s simply a New York skyline.

 

how few feet approach the Hudson

to truly see Lady Liberty,

remaining content in skyscraper distance.

but some souls did;

gazes looked upon her green copper-tarnish,

sun glistening gold in her fire,

and the freedom tablet in her left arm.

larger than life, truer too:

 

the invitation to liberty for every traveler...

but one must walk the promenade.

 

and in the deepest reality,

the walkway is a Person.

 

both in the Liberty statue herself

and of another in her park of a hero rescuer

– the helpless on his shoulder –

i see Him in all

and invitation for us to join,

to walk in liberty.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage...
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

 Galatians 5:1, 13

~♥~

Fingerprints in Frost Book Release

Hello dear reader,

It's release day for Fingerprints in Frost!!

Ah, I am so excited for what God has done to get the book to this day and for how He will use the beautiful stories to delight and encourage readers!

I got to be one of ten contributing authors to this homey, wintery collection of short stories, and somehow, reading the tales with varying genres, characters, and styles, it was so clear: God hand-picked these stories. Their truth-theme is the exact same.

So to celebrate, here's a peek into the heart behind the stories! ;)

Fingerprints in Frost is a Christian short story collection featuring nine cozy stories of seeking God in the messy joys of homemaking and family. This anthology contains touching stories from contemporary and historical fiction authors with a mix of different subgenres—all written to the glory of God!

Back in the summer, I sat with a fellow writer-sister, and, with wide open hands, we talked about writing a story together...

And God gave us one, but it was on heavy subjects of church division and family upheaval which we hesitated to write. How did one gracefully write about the real, raw brokenness of life and God's hand in it?

Six months later, I opened the PDF to read our first completed book copy of all nine stories, and the tales spilled out as if every one whispered the same promise:

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

I am so humbled.

I'm humbled that God enters our messy, broken, confused life and invites us into His family--daughtership. I'm humbled He doesn't only see us in our various plights, but He also provides, loves, and is present with us!

He is our refuge, strength, and present help.

Fingerprints in Frost is by authors from four countries, and the stories span from one about life for Norwegian immigrants to America, a Deaf family celebrating Christmas, a tale set with castles, dukes, and heirloom secrets, among many others, but it declares that God is near in time of trouble:

in loneliness and weakness... God is a very present help.

in marriage issues... God is a very present help.

in struggling with lack of finances... God is a very present help.

in family and church upheaval... God is a very present help.

in infertility... God is a very present help.

in unexpected disasters and questions... God is a very present help.

in overwhelm during parenting... God is a very present help.

in haunting heaviness of loss... God is a very present help.

in failing health... God is a very present help. 

That's why I'm so excited for Fingerprints in Frost!

Because the Easter season approaching isn't just a two-millennia-old tale that came and went; Jesus' cross transforms our today, and His return defines our forever.

For the disciple of Jesus, we get to live with His Spirit right in this moment... regardless of the messiness. That's worth being excited over. ;)

And it's crazy that He worked this theme through authors from multiple continents, drawing us and our stories together. ♥

I hope this book makes you laugh and cry, sit back with a smile and let your heart heal, and ultimately, seek Jesus with your everything.

Available on Amazon or the Wild Blue Wonder Press website!

And meet the lovely authors here!

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Psalm 46:10-11

~♥~