MISS MARPLE AND ME

My microcosm of the world in the nursing home reminds me of St. Mary's Mead. Because it's so small, you see, I get to know the people pretty well.

The most interesting to me, if the saddest, are the people whose minds aren't healthy. What is left of the core of the person they were ten, twenty, thirty years ago?

What I find comforting are the people who love the Lord. Many here claim faith (we are the buckle of the Bible belt, after all.) But in several it shines through, as refracted as a prism, in different colors and lights and not at all perfect. But glorious in beauty.

First of all there is a songbird. Her mind is the most far gone, but she loves to sing praises to the Lord, to tell of His salvation, to love little children. She always has a chuckle and a laugh and a "praise the Lord!"

Our calling bird (aloha-oy, oy, oy) can carry on an ordinary conversation at times. At other times, she's cussing and fighting mad, and I'm not sure how much is her ornery nature and how much is dementia. But, oh, the joy of listening to her singing her heart out, hymn after hymn after hymn. Today God reminded me that when I sing with her, singing together because we both love the Lord, He's right here with us. I need people like her, her urge me to praise the Lord.

One of our newer residents loves to give benedictions. I don't mean a formal blessing. But she makes a point of seeking each resident, steepling her fingers and pointing them at her new friend, and mentioning something she has seen that she likes about that person. I haven't heard her mention Jesus. She doesn't need to. She shows it by the love that flows from her.

What do others see in me? I don't know. I pray that they see the Lord in me, His love. That the four of us, together, will be light and salt that testify to the love of God and His grace and offer of salvation.

MOTIVATION: WHY DO I WRITE?

That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. (Matthew 13:13, MSG) 

(Caveat: I know that The Message is a paraphrase and not a translation. This verse reads quite differently in the NIV and the KJV)

Do you ever feel like a second-class citizen for preferring to read or write fiction over nonfiction? Because they're just made up stories, after all, not real "truth."

Almost two thousand years ago, the disciples asked Jesus the same question: "Why do you speak in parables? Why do you tell stories?"

Jesus's answer gives me all the motivation I will ever need to write (and read) Christian fiction: "to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight." 

Some authors, notably John Grisham, do write for that dream, the "crossover market." 

Other authors, while I am unaware of their faith, write strong stories of morality or portray Christians in a positive light, such as Dick Francis and Sue Grafton.

My books have been read by Hindus, Muslims, and Atheists--who wanted to read more. (oh, yes, Christians, too, of course!)

I pray that my stories will create readiness for the gospel. 

Take heart, fiction writers. We tell stories for the same reason Jesus did. 

***Please leave a comment, with your email address,  for a chance to win one of my books.To increase your chances, do any of the following and let me know in a comment on this blog (one chance for every action taken):

• Check out my new blog, http://mydailynibble.blogspot.com/. Leave a comment,
• Follow either blog (1 or 2 chances) 
• Answer ether of these questions: What book have you read that has "created readiness" in your heart? or How have your books created readiness in others?

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Did  you have fun with my picture puzzle last week? I did!

The pictures for are for the proposed cover art for my upcoming historical romance, Golden Dreams. The teaser for the book reads "He won't let love end her figure skating dreams the way an accident shattered his. Will their quest for Olympic victory stand in the way of true love?"

Got it yet? No?

Who is she? Several people identified the picture as Sonja Henie. True, but I meant the character in the story. She is a figure skater, an Olympic hopeful. Amada, thanks for going the extra mile, guessing at a fabulous skater, outgoing, strong, but with trust issues.  (You pretty much nailed Winnie on the head!)

Who is he?  This one was a lot harder to guess, I admit, but a few of you came close.  They are not skating partners; rather, he is her coach. So those who said dancing partner, sweetheart or  fellow Olympic hopeful (he would have competed in 1928 except for a career-ending injury) get credit.

Where is it? The Olympic venue is Lake Placid, New York. The building is a grist mill, which in the story has been converted into an indoor ice skating rink. The story takes place in Vermont. (no one guessed Vermont, but that was hard, I'll admit)

When is it? This answer could have been clear to the observant reader. A couple of clues existed to this: the dress pattern, the years Sonja Henie reigned on the ice, the dates of the Lake Placid Olympics--this is during the 1930s, specifically, 1931-1932.

**There are five winners from last week, out of 55 "chances" earned: Connie R., Nutty Artist, Cheryl, Kay M., and Amada. If you do not receive an email from me, please contact me at belovedfranklin (at) hotmail (dot) com.**

**for a chance to win this week: Head over to my new blog, a daily devotional called "My Daily Nibble" ( http://mydailynibble.blogspot.com/ ). If you read, leave a comment, or sign up to follow - let me know on this blog. Triple chances available. Please be sure to leave your email address.**

NEW BOOK COVER

Voila!  Proof that It Is Well With my Soul is on its way this summer!  (July 2013 pub date)

It Is Well With my Soul contains fifteen devotionals based on lines from the beloved hymn, as well as related prayers, quotes, and Bible verses.

BOOK GIVEAWAY PICTURE PUZZLE

I sent the pictures below to my editor this week, for her use in creating the cover art for Golden Dreams. 

Today I am giving you a picture puzzle with four questions. Who is the heroine? Who is the hero? I mean occupation, role in the story, personality - whatever you want to include. I don't mean the identity of the person in the picture. What decade or year does the story take place? Where is it--the setting of the story, either the state, region, or building?

For guessing, you earn an extra chance at a book. For each correct answer, you get an extra chance.

P.S. To win, you have to leave your email address in your comment.

Who is my heroine? What year is it?  Use the top two pictures to decide.

Who is my hero? What is his relationship with the heroine? Use two middle pictures.

Where is the story located? Both geography and type of building. Use bottom 2 pictures.

***THE WINNER OF LAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAY IS KAYM! KAY, GET IN TOUCH WITH ME AT belovedfranklin (at) msn (dot) com FOR DETAILS!***