priceless
July 2, 2008 | books, community, ministry life
This is a repost from last year, just about this time. It was my story of a bookstore gone bad, gone good.
Yesterday I set up a bookstore at our community Independence Day celebration. One person picked up The Mom I Want to Be and turned it over, glancing at my pic on the back side.
“Is that you? Are you the author?”
“Yes,” I said, smiling. “But this is the red-faced, sweaty version.”
It was hot. Muggy. Searing sunshine, even under the forest-green canopy.
I have to be honest. I questioned why I had decided to sell books.
At the end of the evening I had only sold 10, netting a profit of about $30-35, minus the cost of the candy, time spent setting up, carrying books and books of boxes, the flowers to put on the table.
Okay, I made zero.
But I made a couple of new friends.
One simply doesn’t believe in God. She’s not afraid to say it. In fact, these were her words exactly: “I don’t believe in God, dude. I’m an atheist.”
She’s young and I can see that life has already handed her a lot of hurt. Way, way too much hurt. But I liked her–a lot. She is honest and forthright. She shared some of her music with me. In fact, I’m checking out a band later today that she promises has some great lyrics.
I know what it’s like to be young and angry at God and the world. I also know what it’s like to discover his love and how that impacted my life. I hope she and I have an opportunity to continue that conversation.
I want to hear her story.
Another person randomly stopped by and one of the books caught her eye. After reading the back copy, she started telling me about her relationship with her children.
Things haven’t worked out and she knows that her children are angry, and she wants to start over, but isn’t sure how.
Those two conversations were the priceless moments of my hot, sweaty day.
They were just snippets, brief moments.
I hung out with great friends from my home church. I passed out a lot of postcards to help spread the news of The Woman I Am Becoming and The Mom I Want to Be (want some to share with your friends, book club, church? Contact me and I’ll send you some!).
I also met several people in my community that I hadn’t known before, which was awesome.
But this is how God works–or at least, how I believe he works. He stopped the world on its axis for a moment and connected with a young girl and a mom looking for answers.
And I pray that I can be a part of that connection, whether through the book the mom picked up, or conversation with two new friends.
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Those encounters do make it worth your time. I hope you make a bundle at the next stop, though. Father can be counted on when you keep the first things first, as I know you know!
I have thoroughly enjoyed your stuff that I’ve read. I’ve read “Real Issues- Real Teens” and your testimony on the website. I am so thankful for your ministry, which I was unaware of until recently, but always loved you and your family. I was around for some of the things you have written about, but back then I didn’t know all the battles you were going through. Thank God, you are using your perspective to reach people and especially young ones.
I have checked here occasionally to see where you were speaking. We live southwest of Houston, and would love to come hear you sometime when you are speaking at an open event.
I will be ordering some of your books to give out soon. Does it do you more good to order direct from you or to order from Amazon?
July 5th, 2007 at 4:30 pmHi Suzanne - I loved what you said here… “But this is how God works–or at least, how I believe he works. He stopped the world on its axis for a moment and connected with a young girl and a mom looking for answers.”
I find that I often struggle with seeing Him in the ordinary. But that is exactly where He always is, orchestrating opportunities to connect with someone. I really need to step up to this challange. I admire you for doing what may at times seem unfruitful, and I know that through that He will create more opportunities.
You made my “Favorite Quotes” list! Ok so it’s way down near the bottom of the sidebar, but there’s very little room in these blogs.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 pm