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I remember in college, I was determined to prove that a certain “Poetry” contest was a scam. I had too many people who’d bragged about writing a piece of poetry that was “chosen to be included” or “won a spot within” a volume of selected writings (available for a large fee). So I found a brownie recipe, and went to work. I copied that recipe, word for word, even including some of the numbers. I snickered a bit, thinking there’s no way this would actually work.

A short while later, I received my “Congrats!” letter in the mail. Sure enough, my “poem” had been chosen above many entries to be included in a collection of poetry by new authors just like me! So did I call my mom and excitedly announce my dreams as a creative author had finally become actualized?? Nope. I smiled a bit, thankful I wasn’t going to shell out the money to purchase my poem within a book. Though the wooden plaque with my poem mounted upon it might be handy in the kitchen someday….I decided against it. The cost of a joke should never outweigh it’s value in humor. And this was more sad, than funny. I became skeptical of anyone saying they’d been published in a book, if it didn’t involve a contract.

I may have not mentioned it before, but my daughters are professional artists. Seriously. You should see them draw my likeness: Giant round head, and arms that stick out like twigs from a dying bush. They’ve been offered contracts at museums in New York and Chicago, but we really want to keep them well-grounded. So for now, it’s the giant rolls of paper from IKEA on our mini-easel.

Okay, so they may not be able to sell much to even our local art auctions…but when you watch my daughter lean into that paper with a half-crayon with no paper left to pick away…you know artistic genius is at work. I love watching her, and I pray she continues to feel the creative freedom she exhibits in that moment. As she creates on paper, she is reflecting God into a world that needs His image.

It also challenges me.

Since March, I’ve been sitting on a fully written book about how God can use parenting to transform us. I’ve been waiting for a publisher to take a chance on me, and move toward publication. I’ve always subconsciously felt that self-published books were a sign that the material inside wasn’t worth a publisher’s attention. So I continued to wait.

But why did I write? Because God has used parenting to change who I am, and I believe He’s only begun. Because I wanted to put some of that into words, so that others may realize what He could already be doing in their lives as well, and offer new hope to those expectant parents learning Lamaze, still eating bad cookies and punch. But my daughters won’t wait to show people they love, a drawing they’re proud of – they’ll grab it and place it on the highest mountain (or fridge) they can reach!

So here we are. I don’t have a physical book published (yet?). But I’ve written words that I believe are only possible because of God’s work in my life. I’m proud/thankful for them, and believe they can offer much to those beginning this journey of parenthood. It’s available for $2.99 via electronic download (you don’t need a Kindle, you can use your computer using the free software they offer!!) until some publisher decides it’s worth putting into a larger market. But in the words of Lamar Burton, “You don’t have to take my word for it…”

You may have heard by now, I’ve written a manuscript that I hope becomes a book.  I’ve been e-mailing back and forth with editors for Beacon Hill Publishing since October 2010.  Honestly, it takes quite a bit longer to hear from them than I’d anticipated.  At one point, they responded favorably, even asking if I’d change a few things in the first few chapters.  They liked what I’d written, and told me I would hear back from them.

So here we are, several months from that point, and I’ve yet to hear what they’re planning/not planning.  Maybe they’re working hard to figure out how to best market/push the book, and what sorts of speaking engagements I might be good for.  Maybe they’re figuring out how to let me down easily, not wanting to bruise my tender ego.  Maybe the manuscript got shoved down in someone’s bookbag, and they’ve received 30 other books since then.  It’s got some coffee on it, and it may have been thrown out with the soggy napkins weeks ago.

In any case, I feel strongly enough that the words I’ve written have helped me as a parent, and I want to share them with other young parents, and those who will soon have children.  I’m currently going back through what I’ve written, doing some cleaning up and editing.  My plan is to finish editing, create an attractive book cover, and upload my manuscript as an “Amazon Kindle” book for now.  I realize that may aim for a smaller market, but the good news is, you can use Kindle’s software on your computer, laptop, iPod touch, or iPad to read books as well.  Hopefully I can get the word out once it’s released.  If you would invite me to post something on your blog at that point – I would LOVE to be a guest of yours.

I’ve also created a new webpage/blog, “www.differentparent.com” (The working title of the book is: “Different: How God Uses Parenting to Transform Us Wholly”).  I intend to use that website to focus on God using parenting, and other parenting type posts/etc.  I realize my personal blog here has too many other topics/ramblings to attract the attention of my books’ primary audience.

All that to say, watch for updates!  If you can help me get the word out about my blog in any way for now, I’d love the help!  I will let you know if I hear from Beacon Hill, or if I’m going through Amazon as soon as I know anything!  Thanks for reading!!!

“You need to look out for you.  You are your number one concern.  Look out for yourself, and what you need, and you will succeed.  If you find anyone in your crew who is looking out for themselves, kick ’em out, because they’re not going to help you.” – paraphrased quote from today’s rally

Whoa.  I was confused.  Seriously.  Here are gathered a couple hundred people under the theme of “Pump up the Pride – Uniform Rally”.  It’s true, they talked about uniforms, and how it’s a positive change.  People clapped.  They gave away some free pop.  It was delicious.  But honestly, many were there simply to pick up their school schedules.  The main speaker was a judge from the County Courthouse, who spoke largely in quotes and idioms.

But I understand the heart and desire.  There are large numbers of our high schoolers who serve social/worldly pressures.  We say “give into peer pressure”, but the pressure doesn’t usually come from a peer anymore, it’s bigger than that.  As evidenced by today’s rally:

Beneath the uniforms, call to responsible living, and promise that you can end up being an author, professional dancer, or professional musician if you simply work hard enough…there was a quiet undertone.  The undertone that says, “We’re not sure if you’ll like us if we ask you to grow up, so we’ll try to make it sound/look attractive.”

There were words against drugs.  Against having sex.  Against drinking, and committing crimes.  All sponsored by our local radio “rap” station that plays songs depicting drugs, sex, drinking, and criminal mindsets.  There was a short “catwalk” of high school models wearing acceptable uniforms for the year ahead, and after their walk they were asked to do dances (“Dougie“, and “Cat Daddy” to be specific…warning: those links contain offensive language) to compete for a free backpack.  I felt awkward for them, and sad for our community that this is our display of how we take pride in young men and women growing up.

All that to say, how do we expect the next generation to grow into becoming men and women who respect themselves and know how to make wise decisions/difficult choices even if they’re not accepted well by others…if we don’t know how to model that?

May we begin with prayer…from repentance, to restoration, to renewal…