Book Review: Your Story Matters

I've had this book, by Leslie Leyland Fields, highlighted in my Hoopla favorites (a sort of to-be-read notation) for months. I'm so glad I finally picked up Your Story Matters. Only 2-1/2 chapters in, I recommended it to my friend, Beth, who is considering writing a memoir and has asked me to help her. This book will help far more than I can. Indeed, I'd venture to say, she could write her book herself by following the instruction and encouragement provided in Your Story Matters: Finding, Writing, and Living the Truth of Your Life.

Each of us has a story. Every story is meaningful and important. When we share our stories, we impact the lives of others for good. Not only that, we process and live out the truths God is trying to teach us through the paths where He leads. So, this is not only a writing book. It is chock-full of encouragement to give our stories back to the Master and share them with the people around us, with purpose. You may not consider yourself a writer. But Fields insists your story matters, whether it is told in a few pages to a handful of friends or written in a book for the masses.

I loved that she referenced quotes by Fredrick Buechner, from his memoir, Telling Secrets. He writes, "It is precisely through these stories in all the particularity... that God makes himself known to each of us most powerfully and personally. If this is true, it means that to lose track of our stories is to be profoundly impoverished not only humanly but also spiritually." 

Fields emphasizes how words flesh out God's redemptive purposes for our pain and trials: "Often, redemption comes simply by bringing language--which is bringing light--to the silence. Every time we lock up a person, an event, even an entire decade in the Closet of Forgetting and Denial, we're robbing ourselves of the strength and wisdom that can come from those experiences. Those events came to us with purpose.... We get to shepherd and steward these burdens, all of them--the beautiful, the brilliant, and the horrid.... We have another chance to reclaim and redeem those moments. And sometimes they are redeemed simply by being faced and called out of the dark. When we can name our ghosts, they haunt us less."

Her questions and prompts at the end of each chapter are invaluable. Her insights come from years of writing and teaching writing. If God is going to use our stories as a witness to His power and purpose, we must be willing to share them. As Fields says, "Our job is to tell the truth, to simply write from who we are, where we've been, and we trust God for the rest." I came away energized to share my story for God's glory!

Author Spotlight - Sarah Trent

Several months ago, I began noticing Sarah Trent's writings on Facebook. She always nails emotions I have experienced. Her expressive writing communicates deep emotional anguish beside steady foundational faith. Readers come away encouraged and inspired. My faith has been invigorated by Sarah's writings. I think her words will minister to you, as well.

Sarah's writing is heartfelt and deeply moving. I have shared several of her pieces on my Facebook wall. She touches on grief and doubt, comfort and faith. 

On March 26th, I prefaced her post with a quote used in my book, Watching the Wayward: Psalms for Parents of Prodigals. I wrote, "Doubt and questions do not negate faith - they express it with tears and hope - as Sue Bohlin expresses, '[God] receives more glory through limping people who are dependent on Him, than healthy people who breeze through life independent of Him.'" 

Here is the devotional Sarah shared that day:

"You believe God is good…

but your heart still trembles at what His goodness has allowed.

You say it with your mouth, He is faithful, He is kind, He is just, but your chest tightens when you trace the outline of your own story.

Because somewhere between what you know

and what you’ve lived, there is a tension that feels like it might tear you in two.

You have seen too much to call this easy.

You have buried things you never thought would die. You have watched prayers fall to the ground like shattered glass,

sharp enough to cut you when you try to pick them back up again.

And still, you whisper, God is good.

But it doesn’t come out like a shout.

It comes out like a question wrapped in trembling.

You are not faithless.

You are wounded.

Because there is a difference between doubting His character

and struggling to reconcile His permission.

You don’t question who He is,

you question why He allowed this.

Why He stood still

when everything in you was breaking.

Why He remained silent

when one word could have stopped it all.

Why His hands, that formed galaxies,

did not reach down and interrupt the unraveling of your life.

And somewhere deep inside,

you wrestle with the quiet ache of it:

If You are good… why did this happen?

But this ache does not disqualify your faith.

It reveals it.

Because real faith does not exist in the absence of pain—it is forged in the presence of questions

that have not yet been answered.

It is the kind of faith that sits in the ashes

and still turns its face toward heaven,

even when heaven feels unbearably still.

It is the kind of faith that weeps at the feet of Jesus and says, I know You could have stopped this…and I still don’t understand why You didn’t.

And yet, it does not walk away.

Listen…

God is not threatened by your grief.

He is not offended by your confusion.

He does not recoil at your questions.

He steps into them.

The same God you call good

is the God who entered suffering Himself,

who did not explain pain from a distance,

but wore it in His own body.

He knows what it is to cry out,

to feel the weight of what was allowed,

to carry a story that looks like loss

before it ever looks like redemption.

So when you say,

“I believe You are good, but I don’t know how to be okay with what You allowed…”

He does not silence you.

He draws nearer.

Because somewhere in the sacred space

between your belief and your breaking,

He is doing something you cannot yet see—

Not wasting.

Not overlooking.

Not ignoring.

But weaving.

Thread by thread,

through tears you did not choose,

through nights you could not escape,

through pain that felt unnecessary and cruel,

He is crafting a redemption

that will one day make your trembling voice steady again.

Not because you will forget what happened,

but because you will see what He was doing

in the parts you thought were abandoned.

And one day, not today, maybe not soon,

but one day, your voice will rise again,

not as a question,

but as a knowing:

He was good… even there.

Until then, you are allowed to grieve what has happened while still clinging to who He is.

You are allowed to say,

“I trust You… but this hurts.”

And that is not the absence of faith.

That is faith, with tears in its eyes

and heaven still in its sight."

I had no way of knowing, at that time, that the words would ring even truer after my son's untimely death. How apt the above devotional is for the emotions I'm currently battling. I take great comfort in Sarah's words and thoughts. They reflect my struggles well and fix my gaze back on God. That is why I snapped up her devotional book, Launch Out into the Deep, when it became available in early April. You can read my book review of her book here. Her effective writing drove me to seek an interview for an author spotlight and she kindly agreed.

Q1: I've been following your inspiring pieces on Facebook for 6 months. I'm trying to place them in a category. Would you call them poems? Micro-essays? Devotionals? Or merely social media posts?

Sarah: I have always called them devotions, but I’m not sure what the perfect term would be! Most of them are simply love notes from the Lord.

Q2: Your writing clearly reveals that you have endured great losses and challenges in your young life. If comfortable, can you share the deep waters you've survived? What helps you endure? What is key to rising above challenges, in your view?

Sarah: I have had 4 miscarriages. Several of those have been extremely traumatic, and one of them almost took my life as well. Those are things I NEVER would’ve chosen. And honestly, some days, I still battle with WHY? What is the purpose? Although I would never have chosen this road, this grief, for myself…I have been able to reach people I never would’ve been able to otherwise. One of my most traumatic miscarriages, I remember begging the Lord for this to not happen, this to not be my reality. And he said, “if it has to be Gethsemane, will you love me anyway?” And to be honest, I didn’t always love him. I would be angry, and hurt, and frustrated with the things he had allowed. But there came a point in time where I had to decide that either God was God or he was not. He was either good, or he was not. He was either faithful, or he was not. Sometimes in those deep, dark places…we have to decide whether we are going to believe he is God or not. Even if nothing feels right, nothing is right, nothing looks good. I have to choose him. I have to choose whether “though he slay me, yet I will trust in him.” That’s a hard place to be, but if you’re going to make it out of the darkness, I truly believe you have to come to that place where you choose him anyways.

Q3: Such true insights! Even when the outcome is not what we believed God's will would bring, we must choose Him anyway! For years I kept my writing mostly to myself. In my own deep waters, with our prodigal son, God gave words (prayers) to articulate the struggle and I felt convicted that others might find blessing in their expression. Can you tell us what started your writing journey?

Sarah: I started writing “devotions” in high school. I loved to study, and I loved to write. I didn’t have social media at the time, but I had a little email list that would read them. My dad printed them all and has kept them.💛 I slowed down on writing when I began working full time and got married. When I experienced my first miscarriage, I stopped altogether. I had no desire to read my Bible for myself, much less to write for someone else. I had my first live birth, and had PPD. During that season, I began to write again, and share them on Facebook. I was a little concerned about what people would think or say, but I desperately needed an outlet. During my second miscarriage, I began to write more. And I stopped caring what anyone thought. Everything was raw and real. And it has increased since that point.

Q4: Pain certainly drives us to prayer and writing. You are a mother of small children and a photographer. How do you carve out time to write? What is your greatest writing challenge, and how has God carried you through that?

Sarah: None of my kids have been good sleepers! They have all been rough through the night. But that is when the Lord usually helps me the most, in the night, when no one else is aware, and I’m sitting up with a baby or toddler who hates sleep. One thing I do struggle with is burn out, just being exhausted all together. So I am trying to do better with “breaks” and realizing that I don’t HAVE to show up every day if it’s too much. The people I live with have to come first💛

Q5: Your posts receive great response and interaction. Did the following come quickly for you?

Sarah: No, the following was NOT quick. I posted for several years with very little engagement. But that was fine, I was doing what I knew I needed to do, and that was enough. I remember the post that really grew my page, was one about Mary’s mother. And how she likely raised Mary to be who she was. My following went from a few people that I knew for the most part, to over 10 k over night! With that came A LOT of trolls and nasty comments as well. Even a few death threats (people are insane). But that’s when my page began to grow some💛

Q6: That's crazy! Another impressive aspect is your depth of dependence on God's Word. Each piece draws heavily on biblical verses and principles. Can you tell us about the process between the Word and the writings? Are you in a passage that triggers a response? Do you begin with an idea and find support from God's Word?

Sarah: It’s a bit of both! Sometimes I draw from what I’m reading in God’s Word and begin writing from a passage, other times I’m driving down the road or up in the night and I have a thought and then I search for evidence from God's Word. My opinion means nothing unless it has God’s Word to back it up!

Q7: That's exactly the same process I followed in writing the prayer poems in my book. Sometimes God prompts something in response to God's Word. Sometimes God prompts ideas and provides wisdom from His Word. I think your words resonate with many. We all carry burdens. Do you feel "called to create" (as Jordan Raynor puts it)? What do you want your words to accomplish as you post them on Facebook?

Sarah: The Lord has opened a huge door for me, as far as posting on social media. I feel like I need to steward that opportunity well, and that’s why I definitely think it is an avenue of ministry. Especially in this season of my life!

Q8: I've been blessed by your ministry and believe you are stewarding well! Your first book, Launch Out into the Deep, was published by Redemption Press in April. It is a collection of devotional thoughts. I was a happy winner of a physical copy. Since I had already purchased the e-book, I sent my copy off to a very good friend whose burdens are unusually heavy. What led to the publication of that book? How did you determine its framework and what pieces to include?

Sarah: They actually reached out to me about publishing! That book was a total God thing and an answer to prayers I had prayed for quite a while about wanting to have a book in print. I cannot say enough good things about the team I worked with, and how they individually walked with the Lord. They were so kind and patient with me in my ignorance of the publishing process. Yet they took my mission and goal with my book so seriously!

Q9: I love how your writing honestly addresses lament, while leading to worship. Some consider the expression of lament as something sinful, a distrust of God in some way. I'm with Mark Vroegop (author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy), who views lament as evidence of faith when it leads to worship. What helps you move from loss and grief to praise and worship? Is it a saturation of scripture? A shift in perspective? The prayers of others?

Sarah: We have an entire book of our Bible called LAMENTATIONS, yet most people don’t know anything about lament. It’s such a taboo topic. Even Job’s friends thought he must’ve sinned somehow to experience such pain. Job’s story ends with the latter end being better than the beginning. But the whole book is included. The whole story is there, the good, the bad, and the ugly parts. We need more people who are willing to say, “yes, this isn’t great, this STINKS. But the latter end is coming. This is not the end.” Instead of a bunch of platitudes that don’t actually help. I think lament is a beautiful thing, and a necessary thing. It’s worship, and it’s inviting God into where you are. I hope the things I write encourage people to be more open, and hide less. Because God is the God of good times, and bad. The latter end is coming, just like Job’s, so I can worship Him here.

Q10: As you continue writing on Facebook, do you have plans to publish another book in the future? What topic might you choose for such a book? What is the best way for my blog readers to find your writing?

Sarah: I would love to write more books! I’m just waiting for the Lord to open doors. I have several “in mind,” but I would love to do one from the perspectives of biblical characters. I have written several devotionals on those topics and I think I have enough for a solid book! But whenever, and whatever doors the Lord opens…I want to be ready to walk through them. I have Facebook, Instagram, and a substack as well! A lot of people who enjoy reading, subscribe to my substack, because it’s sent to their email and no socials are required! I would love to have any one follow along💛

Many thanks to Sarah for fielding my questions and sharing her inspiring work. I hope you take a moment to read some of her writings and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, or Substack. I encourage you to purchase her book. The beauty of the paperback copy is that you can interact with the pieces by writing in the allotted space after each devotional. However, the e-book allows easy access on your phone or Kindle, while out and about, needing some words to bolster and inspire. Thanks again, Sarah! May God continue to bless and multiply your gifts.

==========

8/22/26 Addendum: Someone informed me that Sarah's work had disappeared from Facebook. I contacted her and she shared this infuriating news:

"Hi Wendy

On Tuesday, meta removed my ENTIRE page on instagram and Facebook (including photography pages) with no warning. I never received an email or any kind of notification that it was coming. I also never received a reason as to why. I’ve appealed the decision, of course, but still have not received any response at all. I was devastated. And heartbroken, because I had no way to let people know what had happened.

I created new pages last night, and I’m having to start from scratch. Meta wouldn’t even allow me to use my regular email to create a new account, nor would they allow me to simply use Sarah Trent as my Name. I had to put my middle name in as well, to trigger them to allow me to make a new page. It’s under Sarah Elaine Trent on Facebook, and taming_trentss on instagram! Thankfully my substack was untouched. So all the content is still there! 

Please pray for me as I try to start over"

Book Review: The Elsewhere Express

I'm not much into fantasy books. While I can deal with magical realism, the really out there fantasy novels elude me. The Elsewhere Express is such a beautiful physical book, that I couldn't help but pick it up. Stencils of colorful luggage appear around the edges of the pages. The cover is dreamy and enticing. It is billed as a train that takes you to your life purpose. How intriguing!

Hiraya Sia's parents conceived her to provide organs for their ailing son. This idea is fraught with internal conflicts. Quentin Chen Phillips Jr. is an artist on the cusp of losing his eyesight. This is another conflicting experience. These are the two passengers readers follow onto The Elsewhere Express, an imaginary train built "by the hours people have spent staring out of the window, wishing they were somewhere else. It is in constant motion, fueled by a steady stream of wandering thoughts. Every inch of the train writhes with reveries and vibrates with the constant chatter of conversations people have with themselves." Neither character knows why they have landed on this imaginary train. Raya wants off. Quentin, with restored sight on the train, is desperate to stay on the train.

I will admit, it was a bit too philosophical and woo-woo for me. But, it was a quick and absorbing read. And in the process of watching these two try to find their way and their place on this mythical train, the reader considers lots of scenarios of loss, grief, purpose, life fulfillment, and creativity. I was intrigued to learn that the author is from the Philippines (a place I served in missionary work in the summer of 1987). The writing is good and the premise is promising. Pages fly by. While I wouldn't want to land on the Elsewhere Express myself, it was interesting to visit for a few hours over several days. 

Book Review: Wings of Faith

This Salvation Army biography, Wings of Faith: The Remarkable Life of Harry Read, was written by Dawn Volz. I first encountered Commissioner Harry Read through his poetry posted on Facebook. I had memories of an Army leader in London who impacted my life when I worked at the International College for Officers shortly after my college graduation. It turns out that was Ed Read. Commissioner Ed Read met with me weekly and gave me reading assignments we then discussed in a mentor relationship. Ed is mentioned in this biography. Harry's life impacted many individuals, too.

The focal point of Harry's story is his parachute jump at the 75th D-Day celebration. At 95-years-old, he was fit and brave enough to jump from a plane (higher than the one he jumped from in his teen years). I think I was most impressed to learn that he authored one of my favorite Salvation Army songs, "God's Soldier." It has a rousing chorus of "We're gonna fill, fill, fill the world with glory; We're going to smile, smile, smile and not frown; We're going to sing, sing, sing the gospel story; We're going to turn the world upside down."

Harry's poetry is meaningful and his life exemplary. He and his wife, Win, "walked, spoke, and ministered together as they drew upon each other's strengths, making themselves fully available to the God they served." I appreciated, so much, hearing of his great humility. In an early difficult time, he observed, "The Lord seemed to be saying, 'Harry, there are some things I can only do for you when you're alone.' I've transposed that insight into every difficult, testing situation since." He demonstrated his deep need for God and God's forgiveness. He did not present himself as above the masses, in spite of great responsibility and impressive gifting. I asked for this book for Christmas a few years ago, but only now got around to reading it. I'm so glad I did.

Author Spotlight: Kyle L. White

Many moons ago, when we lived in DeKalb, Illinois, we attended the Evangelical-Free Church. I will never forget one memorable service when the then-youth pastor, Kyle L. White, delivered the sermon after witnessing the birth of his firstborn that morning. We were new parents as well, and ripe for his reflections. I have long wished for a transcript of that sermon. It was profound, and delivered with awe and reverence.

A few years later, I started a small writer's group at the church. I needed accountability to complete my Institute of Children's Literature course. I had hit an impasse in my final assignment of 3 chapters of a novel. Thus, began a wonderful stint of cameraderie and encouragement in the best writing group I've attended. We shared our work monthly, and even joined up to attend the annual Write-to-Publish Conference in nearby Wheaton, IL. Oh, the laughter during those hour-long commutes to the conference! Meeting Kyle through his sermons was impressive. But discovering his writing was equally so.

Kyle is an author/illustrator/storyteller. I think of him as a modern contemplative writer. His literary and artistic works have been published by Prism Magazine, Zondervan Publishing, Windy City Sports, and Door Peninsula Voice. He has written eight books, some of which include: Wisconsin River of Grace (2009), Neighbor As Yourself (2016), Haiti! Up! (2018), Bear. With Me {A Field Journal} (2019), and Freezing, Thawing: New & Revised Stories From the Midwest (2020). 

Several of these are available through his Amazon author page. He served as the 2022 Artist-in-Residence at the Sycamore Public Library and has had his books featured on Northern Public Radio. When not drawing or writing, he actively presents workshops on art, writing, and storytelling. Kyle graciously agreed to answer my questions to highlight his writings on my blog.

Q1: I scribbled stories as a young child and wrote poetry in my teens. Yet, I didn't really consider myself a writer until I completed my first National Novel Writing Month 50,000 word challenge. When did you first think of yourself as a writer?

Kyle: I think I’ve always thought of myself as a “creative”, since I was a kid. I don’t know if we still use “creative” as a noun. But writer, specifically? In junior high and high school I experienced the most academic success and encouragement in the areas of writing and journalism, so I think I must have identified as a “writer” to some degree. But, post-college, writing became a guilty pleasure or hobby. When I found myself underemployed in the early 2000s, tho’, I started freelance illustrating and writing–it’s then that I felt like a “writer”. But also at that very same time, the two of us became part of that writers’ group at our church. Thank you, because that community and rhythm did the most to restore or establish my identity as a writer. Because of that group I found more of my voice, began writing the things that were unique to me, started publishing essays, and then from those I published my first book. I wonder if your identity, Wendy, as a writer, was helped along at all by being involved in the NaNoWriMo community, and not only the completion of the task… ?

Q2: I'm sure you're right, Kyle, although there wasn't as much community in that as in our group. I never really had others cheering me on from the sidelines. Even my kids often teased about all that effort just to secure a Nanowrimo certificate. But, I think that was when I began leaning more into novel-writing (writing Christian YA at the start, a tough sell). And I felt I really was accomplishing something significant. For years, that was my chosen focus, until it shifted more toward non-fiction. What kind of writing do you prefer?

Kyle: I used to write these longer essays, to kind of justify my existence: how much “clever” can I pack in here? But when I began reading my writing in front of audiences, I got tired of hearing myself talk! So, I began simplifying and reducing. Like shifting from sermons to homilies. It felt more conversational with, and kind to, audiences. Short, humorous, reflective pieces, typically. I’m motivated by writers like E.B. White (his editorials), Louis Jenkins (prose poems), and Frederick Buechner (his creative non-fiction, in particular). I also pretend to write poetry once in a while. I want to leave space on the page for the reader to think.

Q3: Your writing has universality and depth. I'm impressed with how you take something that has inherent humor and then, suddenly, that humor drives a deep, spiritual insight. It is as if you think in metaphor. For example, in your book, Neighbor As Yourself, you have a piece about catching and releasing a fish. On the surface, it seems to be a sketch about the challenge of removing a hook from a large, shaking bass. Yet, eventually, the reader is contemplating emotional wounds and Christ's finger both poking and healing them. Do you keep a notebook of images and develop the metaphors later, or are you capturing both the insignificant and the significant simultaneously while it is happening? Tell us a bit about your writing process.

Kyle: Your questions are beautifully written and so encouraging–they make me want to finish some projects! As a kid, some of my earliest memories are of being in bed at night, looking out the window and wondering what’s behind that curtain of stars? I do feel as tho’ I’m always looking through a thing to the bigger story on the other side of it. Maybe that’s every writer? Louis Jenkins, one of my favorite poets, has this piece about retiring from his poetry business. In the closing line he says, maybe he’ll: “Take up golf. Spend more time with the family. Maybe I’ll just walk around and look at things with absolutely no compulsion to say anything at all about them.” I love it. My writing process is sporadic, but I am consistent with keeping a net out for metaphor. A sketchbook, or notebook, being my net. Most every day, in my notebook, I’m playing with some drawing, or bit of words.

Q4: I'm a big fan of your essay, "Circus World Museum," as it emphasizes the role of the church in this sin-sick world. It is one of my favorites. But then, I also love the lighthearted "To Whom it May Concern" (a job recommendation for Autumn) and "Funeral for Summer." There's also the "Quotidian Meeting of Insomnia Committee." Do you have any favorites from your writings?

Kyle: Thank you. I haven’t read those for awhile and I need to go back and take a look. One piece of mine that I am consistently satisfied with, and that I like reading to audiences, is “Wendell Planted a Tree for Me.” It’s from Freezing, Thawing: New & Revised Stories from the Midwest (2020). I like it ‘cause it has the elements that I’m most always digging for in my pieces: humor, community, mortality, God. There’s also a piece called “Geeses” from my upcoming book. It surprised me the way it came out fully formed, like it had been brewing underneath.

Q5: I'm always curious about the preliminaries various writers prefer. Like Dickens, I walk before I sit down to work on a novel. It prompts the creative juices and allows time to simmer in ideas and characters. However, I haven't worked on a novel in a long time, and the weather tends to foil my outdoor walking. Do you have specific locations for writing or tools of the trade? Do you begin each session with walking or with prayer?

Kyle: Yes, walking is thinking and that leads to writing for me. Any time I am afforded space to think–vacations, solo road trips, morning coffee–that leads to writing. Being in Wisconsin, my homeland, inspires me to write. I don’t necessarily pray before writing– I would say that the act of writing is prayer in my experience.

Q6: I love that! Yes, oftentimes writing is prayer. Several of your essays focus on writing. I'm thinking of "Hunting for Words" (an apt comparison), "The Muse," and "Postcards from the Edge of the Bluff." In that last essay, you say, "Why write? To love and to be loved. I write because 'I wish you were here.' The 'here' being inside my head. A scary thought? But my writing self is probably my truest self. I write to know and to be known. I write to send a postcard." Have you ever wanted to abandon writing or have you ever experienced a dry spell that lingered? What would be your recommendation for a writer in that liminal space, when the muse is silent and showing up is hard?

Kyle: Thoughts of abandonment come more when I’m trying to figure out how to reach a larger audience with my creative work. It’s such a social media game and can leave lots of artists lamenting, “What’s the point?” But in terms of writer’s block, the problem is more my inconsistency in taking time for writing. When I do need inspiration, walking helps to jog things loose, like you mentioned. And reading poetry–Louis Jenkins, Wendell Berry, Billy Collins–makes me want to play with words. Joni Mitchell, supposedly said: “Unlike some of my peers, I haven’t really hit a writer’s block. When I hit a block I just paint, which is an old crop rotation trick.” Sketching and drawing help stir up my writing, too.

Q7: Yes, you are not only a writer, but also an illustrator. I have one of your lovely prints on my wall to remind me to press on in my writing goals, stewarding whatever gifts God has given. That print, and other unique, contemplative art prints can be purchased from your art website (link here). What is your favorite thing about the intersection of your writing and your art? Do you sketch daily, or when you have something in mind? 

Kyle: All of my creative spark started with comics. Then, in high school and college, I was the schools’ newspaper cartoonist. So, my art interests mostly have to do with: How do I marry image with text, in small spaces, in the most meaningful way? I draw daily and think it’s the best way for me to pay attention in the world;  I often facilitate classes on “sketchbook as practice,” and on field journaling.

Q8: For the past few years, I've enjoyed receiving your newsletters. You invite interaction. You generate thoughts about creativity and art. If any reader would like to sign up for your newsletter, where can they do so?

Kyle: Thank you! People can find all my points of contact here: https://linktr.ee/kylewhiteink

Q9: What is your favorite method of getting your work out to readers and listeners?

Kyle: Favorite and effective are two different things apparently! The typical routes: Instagram; newsletter; etc. I also do readings on our local NPR station–they have a segment called “Perspectives” where locals can share opinions and thoughts on most-any topic. And I have had “story nights” which are interactive readings. I think those story nights are my favorite and most effective avenues.

Q10: Do you have a work-in-progress right now?

Kyle: I have a new book that released on 4/26/26 called Just Out There Somewhere: Thoughts About Moving On. Thanks for these wonderful questions, Wendy. And thanks for being such an advocate for writers.

If you'd like to sample/listen to one of Kyle's NPR Perspective pieces, you can click here. This humorous 90-second listen is called, "About That Book You Borrowed." I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce others to Kyle White's writing, art, and storytelling. Check out his work. You'll be glad you did! Now, I'm off to request Kyle's new book as a Mother's Day/birthday gift. Then, I'll check to see if Kyle lent me a book I've failed to return. Ha!

Mid-month Mention: Poetry Pharmacy

I'm in LOVE 💖💖💖with this idea and blown away with how cool this is! All photos and information come from a Facebook post I happened upon. Every time I want to abandon ship from Facebook, something like this shows up on my feed. Oh, how I wish I lived in England and could visit this new shop.

A Poetry Pharmacy! What a fabulous idea! If only I could get my prodigal parenting book onto their shelves.

Here's the description from the Facebook post:

At a time when independent bookshops are often framed as vulnerable in the shadow of big chains, the Poetry Pharmacy is attempting to rewrite the script. Opening directly opposite Waterstones on Coney Street in York is a bold move, a statement of confidence in being something entirely different. With its apothecary-style setting, prescriptions of poetry, pill bottles and cabinets of verse, we offer a sense of theatre and ritual that transforms browsing into an experience. Its clear specialism in poetry, words and wellbeing invites readers to engage emotionally as well as intellectually. We hope that, when rooted in care, craft and imagination, this experiment is not a risk but a compelling alternative. We hope you think so too!

Opens March 6th

Here are their accompanying photos:

If you live in England, please visit one of these (the above one is opening in York, but the website indicates there are also shops on Oxford Street in London and in Bishops Castle) and do tell me how wonderful it is. I'd love to hear from someone who experiences this unique shop! Gosh, I'd love to work there... one can dream!

Mid-month Mention: Smiling With Josh and Jase

These days one's Facebook feed can be pretty depressing. Life just keeps racheting up a notch. Division rules the day. But, I've recently been blessed by a new bright light of sunshine in my Facebook feed. I'm sure it is driven by algorithms. The more I watch, the more of this content I see. 

Well, in this case, that's absolutely fine by me. That ray of sunshine comes from two British blokes who love to travel to the United States. Josh Clarke and Jason Riley go by Josh and Jase, and they are everywhere on the internet these days. I could listen to them talking all day long. I love their accents. I adore their wacky reactions to crazy things about my country. At some point, I saw a short about words that don't mean the same thing in the UK. I can't find it now. Alas, it made me laugh as I remembered my own accidental use of words that are taken differently in Britain.

When I first visited Britain, I studied with Wheaton College's summer program at Oxford. I took a bus and spent a weekend with some American friends who were living in London. Of course, these American friends had British friends who wanted to teach me a British sport called Rounders (similar to baseball). I was concerned that they might ruin their white clothes, so I called out, "Don't slide, David! You'll soil your pants!" Everyone burst out laughing as David, looking horrified, cried out in his delightful British accent, "Oh! I hope not!" Apparently, they believed he was wearing white "trousers" while I used their term for men's underwear, "pants." My bad! It would have worsened if I had said, "You might fall on your fanny!" It can be tricky not to mis-step with language.

Josh and Jase are highly entertaining. I'm an older person, so I'm not on Tik Tok or Instagram and am only now encountering this delightful duo. You really must go check them out.

They can be found under several handles on Facebook: Josh and Jase, Josh from England, The Accent Guy, Life With Josh, or Josh's Faith Corner (Josh has sadly lost followers after declaring his Christianity).

Or you can watch their You Tube channel: Josh and Jase.

If you'd rather, you can find them on TikTok or Instagram.

And if you wish to send some support their way, here's a link to their Patreon. I didn't realize how important their support is until I watched this recent video about their lengthy process acquiring visas for travel to continue their content creation in the US. 

To think they had to spend $60,000 in various fees to get these visas blows my mind. Subscribe. Follow them. Let's keep them coming to America and making their fun, lighthearted videos to brighten everyone's day. Maybe one day they'll come to Indiana. I'll stay tuned.

Book Review: The Harmony Within

Rolland Hein, author of The Harmony Within: The Spiritual Vision of George MacDonald, was my professor at Wheaton College years ago. George MacDonald's book, Phantastes, had a vast impact on C. S. Lewis. Although I've never read Phantastes, I selected Hein's book for my post-devotional reading in the morning. Since I've only read one MacDonald book, At the Back of the North Wind, it may have been better to dive into the author's writings before reading literary criticism about them.

George MacDonald wrote over 50 volumes of poetry, essays, short stories, sermons, fantasies, and novels. Hein provides extensive lists of his primary and secondary sources in his bibliography. Honestly, I had no business reading this book, based on my miniscule exposure to MacDonald's works. However, I did gain a sense of this author's spiritual perspectives. Even without extensive knowledge of the fantasies (the primary focus of study), I was able to follow the book's structure and learn of MacDonald's views and goals. I'm not a big fan of fantasy. Indeed, I think I'm more interested in reading his sermons than his fantasies. Hein's book examines MacDonald's oeuvre to show how his spiritual perspectives/understanding helped to determine the shape of his novels/fantasies.

For more on MacDonald and an overview of his prolific works, visit The Works of George MacDonald.

* I'm glad I already owned a copy of this book as the Amazon price ranges from $26-$47. I would be interested in reading Hein's The Heart of George MacDonald: A One-Volume Collection of His Most Important Fiction and then tackling his book, George MacDonald: Victorian Mythmaker. It saddened me to learn this beloved professor died two years ago. I have fond memories of his classes and of the students with whom I shared those moments.

Book Review: Five Mere Christians - Highly Recommend

How thrilling to find Five Mere Christians, by Jordan Raynor with Kaleigh Cox, available through Hoopla. The smaller free e-book about Fred Rogers whetted my appetite. I prefer my biographies intense and full of detail. Yet, this small book is one I would highly recommend reading. You may think you know the stories of the most famous individuals showcased here (Mr. Rogers and C. S. Lewis). I promise you will learn new perspectives and glean great insights.

The five mere Christians highlighted in this book include Mr. Fred Rogers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ole Kirk Christiansen, Hannah More, and C. S. Lewis. Rogers, the famed television personality, emphasized service and slowing down (to "Fred time") in order to focus on others. The world is better off because he chose a pulpit with puppets instead of podiums. Civil rights activist Hamer provided an example to follow when confronting injustice. Her tenacity and unwillingness to resort to hate changed her state and nation. I knew nothing of Christiansen, the founder of the Lego company. What a testimony of faith under trial, commitment to excellence, and a quiet faith revealed while pursuing play! Recently, I encountered Hannah More in a women's biography devotional I am using this year. Her wisdom in marketing tracts and starting Sunday schools led many to know Christ. She worked alongside William Wilberforce fighting the slave trade in England. Finally, a well-known figure, C. S. Lewis, didn't think his work for the kingdom would last, but it outlived him and made him a household name in Christian circles.

I love the tight structure of these biographies. Each story is enticing and well-written. At the close of each section, the authors focus on 3 important points. This book does more than merely tell of interesting lives. It encourages readers to see opportunities to advance Christ's kingdom wherever personal passion and vision lead. In the section on Hannah More, they recommend readers reject isolation and embrace insulation. One example of isolation is only reading Christian books. Instead, seek insulation. A jacket insulates you from the cold so you can be out in the cold. 

I'd love to outline all these points because they made a significant impact. Instead, I'll encourage you to read the book and take notes, as I did. I will go back over those notes for daily pointers on attracting others to Christ for His kingdom through whatever I do (I don't have a specific job - even my mothering job is now defunct, with the youngest off at college). If you've never read a Jordan Raynor book, start with this excellent one. It is full of practical wisdom, packaged in story.

Book Review: Still Waters

Still Waters is the second Jane Rubietta book I read during my devotional time in the morning. I didn't interact with any of the journaling questions, activity options, or silence suggestions. Still, I appreciated the topics covered: rest, depression, creativity, anger, control (a challenging chapter), happiness, worry, hospitality, and love. Rubietta quoted Mother Theresa as saying, "We are all pencils in the hand of God." That's a lovely image! I liked the title from a Robert Frost poem, "Happiness Makes Up in Height for What it Lacks in Length." How desperately I needed the chapter called "Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite: Working on Worry and Fret." I always tell my kids that worry is my superpower. If only it were a positive thing, instead of the lack of trust it truly demonstrates. This book nurtured positive things in my soul. 

Book Review: Quiet Places

Years ago, I purchased two personal retreat books at the Write-to-Publish Conference. Jane Rubietta, a long-time staff member, writes about relinquishing our busyness to pursue God's heart and purpose. I selected these two books as my next supplemental reading during my morning devotions. In thinking about personal retreats, I realize I haven't taken a personal retreat since all the chaos descended with my son's wayward path. I used to take a writing retreat every November to help me meet my National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) goal. In 2019, I had to cancel my retreat because my son had run away from home. I didn't know if he would be back or if I would be in any condition to focus on a retreat.

I started chronologically, with the first one published, Quiet Places: A Woman's Guide to Personal Retreat. Jane's chapters focus on frantic activity, self-confidence, loss, unforgiveness, stress, friendship, and dreams. She offers encouragement, along with loads of practical activities, to focus the life lessons. Each chapter ends with quotes for contemplation and scriptures for meditation. Then, she offers ideas for journaling, praying, activity, and silent contemplation, followed by questions for reflection. While I didn't take time to interact in those ways, I will keep the book and may come back to it at some later date. I wanted to share passages with my sister, who has recently moved to a new location/job and is feeling all the stress and learning curves such changes bring. Unfortunately, she's so busy (thus her great need), she probably wouldn't have time to consider the passages Jane offers on dealing with stress. Who knows, maybe I'll send the book to her in hopes she can carve out some moments each day to consider Jane's insights on slowing down and savoring the life and purpose God has given.

Midmonth Mention: Four Unique Literary Stories

1) I was mesmerized by the lilt in Scottish poet Len Pennie's voice as she read her poem, "The Vow." You can watch it here on You Tube (a short 2 minute recitation). I plan to recommend it to my nephew, Jack, who is getting married. How amazing, she's offering it for free! I'd love to purchase her book of poems, just on the basis of this one poem.

2) I'm hoping others are fascinated to learn what people read (hence, my blog). What a great story to learn about Dan Pelzer, who took the time to record every book he read. He died on July 1, 2025, and his family made public his 109 page list, which includes over 3500 books. Though I haven't taken time to do more than skim the website yet, it sounds like fascinating reading.

3) This next story made me take note because it takes place in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, where my cousin, Karin, grew up. A book, 47 years overdue, was returned to the Lake Elmo Library along with an apology and $200 to offset what fines may have accrued. Amazing!

4) I recently watched a memorial service for the step-father of my CBLI friend, Laura. Although I never knew him, it was a great blessing to get to know him through the father-to-daughter letters shared at the service. He was a delightful correspondent! Thus, when I came across "The Dad Letter Project," I thought I'd mention it here. You can view a brief video about the project here. Kind-hearted dads volunteer to write letters to people who could use encouragement. I love ideas like this. It makes me think, why didn't I think of this?

Book Review: Ordinary Time

I'm awestruck by how many endorsements this little debut book of essays has accumulated. Anne Bogel, author of I'd Rather Be Reading, writes of the book, "Ordinary Time feels like a long conversation with a good friend about the things in life that matter most, the kind of talk that leaves you feeling both grounded and inspired." Of course, I am unfamiliar with the author or her podcast, From the Front Porch. Several friends have tried to turn me into a podcast junkie, but I spend my days in other ways. Thus, I had never heard of Annie B. Jones or From the Front Porch. I'm glad to know them now.

I felt a kinship with Annie almost immediately, when I read that she and her best friend enjoyed playing boarding school. What? Really? In one of my parents' many Salvation Army appointments, I had a friend named Amy. Our favorite thing to do was plot starting our own boarding school. We planned out what the dorm rooms would look like (down to the furniture), who would attend, and what they would  study.

If only I had the wherewithal to develop and run a podcast about books. Alas, I realize, I'm not gifted in that way. Indeed, perhaps it is my age. I had to laugh when Annie is talking about people 20 or 30 years older than her (She seems to be in her mid-to-late-thirties) and she says she's always felt comfortable with "the elderly." Oh, my! I'm elderly. No wonder I'm falling on treadmills.

Getting all the references to the movies, shows, and books made my heart happy. I love the structure of the book. She breaks it down into 5 categories: Staying Friends, Staying Put, Staying Faithful, Staying Grounded, and Staying You. The writing is smooth and easy to follow. I could relate to many topics raised.

I had to note a quote I'd never encountered before. There's a different quote about friendship by C. S. Lewis, but this one says, "For a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,' can truly say to every group of Christian friends, 'Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.' The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others." What a beautiful concept! I think Annie B. Jones and I could be friends in-real-life. Although I'm not much into "deconstructing one's faith," our shared love of books might carry us through.

Book Review: Minister Rogers' Neighborhood

I jumped when Jordan Raynor offered gratis this short e-book, Minister Rogers' Neighborhood: How Fred Rogers Glorified God in His Work--and How You Can Do the Same. It is an excerpt from his upcoming book of Christian biographies called Five Mere Christians: Binge-Worthy Biographies That Show How to Glorify God in Your Work, written with Kaleigh Cox. I adored the more extensive biography, The Good Neighbor, written by Maxwell King. Mister Rogers was such a powerful example and encourager to children everywhere. He lived out his calling to the best of his ability. His voice still speaks into our current chaotic world. I often see the quote he provided after the 9/11 incident, referring to looking for "the helpers."

One thing I learned from Raynor's brief biography: Fred Rogers was uncomfortable touching his eye, so he had his ophthalmologist/assistant put his contacts in every morning and remove them in the evening. I would probably be too squeamish to wear contacts, but doubt I'd find someone willing to place them and remove them for me, ha! I think the key takeaway from this quick e-book is to find what God has placed on your heart to do and do it with all your might to the glory of the Lord. Mister Rogers didn't just work in children's educational television; he sought to speak into the lives of each viewer, whatever the Holy Spirit wanted them to hear. I loved the lesson Fred learned about how the Holy Spirit can speak into a person's life, even when that same message doesn't reach another individual. Fred said, "I've been able to recognize that the space between someone who is offering the best he can and someone who is in need is holy ground." Here's a short snippet of an interview with Dr. Lee Warren, author of Hope is the First Dose, that highlights this quote.

If you prefer sound-bite biographies or if you're looking for a more Christian spin, this book fits the bill. I, personally, preferred King's biography of Fred Rogers. But I have a master's in history, so I've never viewed biographies as a chore. Raynor's emphasis remains on doing secular work with just as much passion as ministers, missionaries, and clergy. His focus is on the theology of work. If you are working in a secular job and struggling to see how it matters for the Kingdom of God, Raynor's books target you specifically.

If you'd like to read this, click here to download your free copy or you can find it on Amazon.

Book Review: The Sacredness of Secular Work

The subtitle to this book is a mouthful, but articulates the major thrust of Jordan Raynor's message. The full title is The Sacredness of Secular Work: 4 Ways Your Job Matters for Eternity (Even When You're Not Sharing the Gospel). Famous for his theology of work, Raynor emphasizes our need to address the First Commission in addition to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20 "Go and make disciples of all nations...") What is that First Commission? It is the call to create things, places, and people that reflect His glory. Your witness for the Lord woos more people than sharing the "Romans Road." What you say and do matters for the kingdom!

It is important to realize that God delights in the work of your hands. Your excellence in hairstyling, in teaching, in sanitation work... it all can bring God glory. Raynor pleads that your work has intrinsic value of eternal significance. I loved his admonition to follow William Wilberforce's example. This man could have left politics once he became a Christian; instead, he remained to play a key role in abolishing the slave trade. He created "launcher" topics for individuals he might meet, to help lead them from surface to serious to spiritual conversation. Raynor suggests you create a list of launchers and even helps you create those through the excellent resources available online with this book.

Doing whatever work your hand finds to do, and doing it to the best of your ability, shines forth for God. I need this message just as much as workers who earn a wage for their secular work. While I earn no wage, I do work. I keep a home and raise my remaining son. My book reviews, on this blog, further the writing work of others. My participation in various book clubs allows me an opportunity to meet and touch the lives of others. How I pray I will one day hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!" May my "work" live on into eternity, as Tolkien's "Leaf by Niggle." (If you're unfamiliar with that story, look it up. It is well worth investigating. Or, read this book. Raynor outlines Tolkien's story and its important message within these pages.)

Book Review: Letters from the Mountain - Highly Recommend

Bob Hostetler is not only the author of one of my favorite devotionals, The Shakespeare Devotional, but he also lures me into other books through his twenty-word book review blog. Some recommendations sit in my "Books to Read" file for a while. Bob recommended Ben Palpant's Letters from the Mountain three years ago. Books often meet us right where we need them. That is true of this book. It was like a salve on my wounded soul.

In these letters, Palpant writes to his daughter about the generative act of writing. The very nature of this gift blows me away! The letters are full of wisdom and encouragement. They express his deep love for writing, for God, and for his daughter. Since he is a poet, his words dance and sing. As I listened from my library Hoopla app, I grew desperate to hold the book in hand and underline and highlight. I heard so many nuggets of truth; I want to own this book.

Writers should aim for the soul with patient urgency and keen attentiveness, seeing what others cannot see. He calls the writer to cultivate the soil of the imagination. Foremost, a writer must serve the reader and let it go out into the world. He writes, "Work! Leave the prosperity to God!" We should remember our writing brings God's light. The light is important, not the lantern.

I loved his illustration about God's timing. He tells a story of their visit to Oxford, where he hoped to find C. S. Lewis' cottage and gravestone. The day was fraught with complications and obstacles. His wife was ill. They needed to find an elusive clinic. He even prayed for rain to help him gain his desired ends. Instead, the sun beat down, stoking his frustration. In the end, God revealed perfect timing.

I loved his insight about valuing the "day job," because it provides a wealth of soil for cultivation in the imagination. It "equips you to serve." Also, I needed his words about gratitude. It adjusts your vision to focus on abundance rather than scarcity. Instead of keeping your eyes riveted on your empty left hand, recognize your right hand is overflowing with God's blessings. Oh, how my eyes linger on scarcity! He writes, "Worry reigns when we try to fix what only God can fix and know what only He can know."

The book is full of beautiful images of what it means to write for the Lord. He shares architectural principles that can apply to writing. He gives numbered lists of actions to employ. (As usual, walking makes the list!) He says that, as Christian writers, we are viaducts bringing living water and lanterns shining His light in a dark world. Our words can be life-giving if we will give them and leave the results to God. Those words, so often, come from places of deep pain.

Palpant points out, we should not fear suffering. It is often the soil that grows beautiful and true writing. His words remind me how important it is to nurture our gifts. This book has beckoned me back into the arena to pick up my weapons again. I have shared before that I have been in a spell of relative inactivity. Finding my son mid-overdose and walking through the subsequent descent into deeper addiction has somehow numbed my pen. I can pour out personal writing and have kept my book review blog going, but projects require more than I can give. For quite some time, I have been in a liminal space. That is okay. If God so desires, I will catch the spark again. Certainly, this book is full of embers waiting to re-ignite my dampened calling.

Mid-month Mention: Rabbit Room and Poets

 

Perhaps a year ago, I stumbled upon the Rabbit Room Chinwag Facebook group. What a treat! Like-minded creatives and individuals who seek to honor God.

It was here I discovered a poem by Christopher Owen that I appreciate on many levels. I love the rhythm and sound. I appreciate the description of God's intention for His creation and for the glory He will assume when He returns to reclaim us for His kingdom. The poem is called, "This is Beginning to End." Follow the link to watch him recite it because it has a wonderful "spoken word" feel. I sometimes listen to the Button Poetry offerings when they come up on my Facebook feed. How I wish for a Christian equivalent! If there was one, Christopher Owen's poem would fit perfectly. I am with him in his desire for Christ to come quickly! We are waiting!

Randy Edwards is another poet from the Rabbit Room group. He often shares his poetry on his Backward Mutters blog (see the blog for the title's reference). Or find him on Instagram: @backward.mutters - Randy is the pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Kernersville, North Carolina. I immediately fell in love with the first poem I heard him recite, a poem about luck and grace, full of beautiful images with deep meanings:

When Craig Stapleton jumped

Into 8000 feet of space

He thought himself lucky

To do this thing he loved.

But when his parachute

Tangled and twirled?

He fell like some

Lafayette Escadrille

Shot down by the Red Baron.

If he was able to feel

(Let alone think)

More than terror, he knew

His luck had turned.

But when his backup did the same?

He knew it was for the worst,

That he must be the unluckiest

Skydiver on earth.

He hit the flat ground

Of California’s Central Valley

With a splat, doing around

30 miles an hour—

A field where the farmer

Had just tilled the earth

And thought himself the

Luckiest one around

To be catching the rain

At just the right time.

Where water soaked furrows

Swole the clods up like pillows.

When Craig came to his senses,

When he realized

The sound of that splat

Was just the mud? That

This man who’d fallen

In a death-spiral like a winged duck?

When he realized that

He had not died?

But in fact alive and had survived?

It was not Luck he thanked.

It was personal.

Now this don’t mean

Luck ain’t no thing,

Nor that he didn’t feel lucky.

True luck is like grace,

Is an unlooked for blessing

That breaks as a smile on a face

Breaks a fall of certain death

And gives you back

What you’d thought you’d lost

Or worse, had left.

For further exploration, here's an article about the harrowing 8000 foot skydiving fall that prompted this poem's contemplation.

Here's a link to a recitation of another Randy Edwards poem called "The Dragon's Mouth," based on Revelation 12:15. The focus of this year's Bible Study Fellowship is the book of Revelation. I will have to remember to share this poem during the week we discuss chapter 12.

I'm looking forward to hearing more from Christopher Owen and Randy Edwards!